What Is Advanced Individual Training (AIT)?
Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is the next step after basic training and focuses on preparing soldiers for their specific army job.
While basic combat training teaches general military skills, AIT offers specialized training for each soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Soldiers learn everything from marksmanship and field training to technical skills specific to their job, which can range from logistics to combat operations.
How Does AIT Fit Into Army Training?
After completing Army Basic Training, soldiers are assigned to an AIT school that matches their MOS. Some soldiers, especially those entering combat arms fields like infantry, might undergo One Station Unit Training (OSUT), which combines basic training and AIT into one continuous program.
How Long Is AIT?
The length of AIT training varies depending on the MOS and can last anywhere from three weeks to nearly two years. The current longest AIT training lasts 84 weeks (1 year and 8 months).
At certain centers of excellence, such as Fort Sam Houston and the Army Chaplain Center and School, training can be intensive, including both classroom learning and real-world exercises.
Army AIT Phases
1. Reception and Processing:
At the beginning of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), soldiers go through a reception phase where they are processed into the AIT school. This includes administrative tasks such as verifying personal information, medical evaluations, and initial equipment issue. Soldiers also receive an overview of what to expect during their AIT, including the training schedule and expectations.
2. Initial Training Phase:
The initial phase of AIT focuses on foundational skills and knowledge specific to the soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). This phase includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Soldiers learn the basic technical skills and procedures required for their MOS, such as operating equipment or understanding job-specific protocols.
3. Advanced Skills Training:
During this phase, soldiers delve deeper into the more complex aspects of their MOS. Training becomes more specialized and intensive, with a greater emphasis on practical application and field exercises. For example, if the soldier’s MOS involves handling advanced weaponry or medical procedures, this phase ensures they gain proficiency in these areas through detailed practice and simulations.
4. Evaluation and Testing:
The evaluation phase involves testing soldiers on the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired throughout their AIT. This includes practical tests, written exams, and performance evaluations. The purpose is to ensure that soldiers have mastered the competencies required for their MOS and are prepared to perform their duties effectively.
5. Transition and Graduation:
In the final phase, soldiers prepare for their transition to their assigned units. This includes final administrative tasks, such as ensuring all records are updated, and receiving guidance on what to expect in their new roles. The graduation ceremony marks the completion of AIT and the official transition from trainee to a fully qualified soldier in their MOS.
What to Expect at AIT School?
At AIT school, soldiers can expect a mix of classroom instruction and field exercises. This hands-on approach ensures that service members not only understand the fundamental principles of their MOS but also how to apply them in real-world scenarios.
Whether soldiers are learning to operate a variety of equipment or maintain military systems, the AIT school experience is designed to build confidence and competence in their chosen field.
What Types of MOS Training Are Available at AIT?
Soldiers attend different AIT schools based on their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). These schools offer training for jobs ranging from aviation logistics to food service.
A soldier training for a career in the army medical field may attend Fort Sam Houston, while those entering combat operations might learn how to use indirect fire weapons and systems that protect U.S. troops in the field. Whether it’s learning how to repair and maintain advanced systems or providing first aid on the battlefield, soldiers are expected to master the skills required by their MOS during their time in AIT.
How Does AIT Differ from Basic Combat Training?
While basic training focuses on preparing soldiers for military life through physical conditioning and discipline, AIT narrows its focus to specific skills necessary for a soldier’s job.
For instance, soldiers in basic training learn general skills such as marksmanship and guard duty, while AIT trains soldiers to become experts in fields like transportation or military police. The transition from basic training to AIT marks a shift from learning general combat and teamwork skills to operating and maintaining specialized equipment or handling complex tasks unique to a soldier’s role.
What Is the Role of Hands-On Training in AIT?
Hands-on training is critical in AIT, as soldiers learn how to use advanced tools and equipment. For example, soldiers in logistics fields may learn how to operate and maintain transportation systems, while those in combat arms will learn to use indirect fire weapons and more.
These skills are reinforced through field training exercises that simulate real combat or logistics scenarios. Soldiers also have to complete exams and practical tests to demonstrate their competence in the skills they’ve learned during AIT.
How Does MOS Training Prepare You for Army Life?
Every aspect of MOS training is designed to prepare soldiers for their specific duties within the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, or active-duty Army.
The goal is for soldiers to emerge from AIT ready to take on the challenges of their army career. Whether a soldier is working in logistics, serving as a military police officer, or learning advanced medical procedures, AIT ensures that they are capable of fulfilling their role within their unit.
How Is AIT Structured?
The structure of AIT is regimented and organized to maximize learning. Soldiers begin by receiving an introduction to their MOS, followed by weeks of intensive training that combines classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and field exercises.
Soldiers are divided into battalions or smaller groups that provide support and camaraderie throughout the training process. Some AIT schools also incorporate additional training, such as instruction on discipline and work ethic, which is designed to build both technical and leadership skills.
What Are Some Common Challenges Faced During AIT?
AIT can be challenging due to the demanding nature of the training program and the need to balance classroom and field instruction. For many soldiers, one of the biggest hurdles is the volume of material they are expected to learn in a short time.
Soldiers are also required to maintain the high standards they learned in basic training in terms of discipline, physical fitness, and teamwork. Soldiers must demonstrate that they can handle the rigors of their specific MOS before they are able to graduate and join their units.
What Happens After Graduating from AIT?
After AIT graduation, soldiers are assigned to their units where they will put their new skills into practice. Many soldiers are excited to finally join their units and begin their careers as full-fledged members of the United States Army.
Graduation ceremonies often involve soldiers and their families, marking a proud moment in every soldier’s career. After graduation, soldiers may be required to continue learning on the job, especially if they are working with rapidly advancing technologies.
FAQ
Q. What is an AIT in the Army?
A. AIT stands for Advanced Individual Training, the phase soldiers enter after completing Basic Combat Training (BCT). During AIT, soldiers receive specialized instruction that prepares them for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which is their specific job in the Army. AIT focuses on the technical and practical skills needed for each soldier’s role, whether it’s in logistics, combat, medical fields, or other areas of service.
Q. How long is AIT for the Army?
A. The length of AIT depends on the soldier’s MOS. It can last anywhere from four to 52 weeks, with more complex jobs requiring longer training periods. For example, roles in medical or air defense fields may require extended instruction, while others may complete their AIT in just a few weeks.
Q. Is AIT like basic training?
A. While AIT and Basic Combat Training (BCT) are both critical parts of Army training, they serve different purposes. Basic training focuses on general military skills, such as physical conditioning, discipline, and teamwork, while AIT is centered on teaching soldiers the specific skills needed for their MOS. In AIT, soldiers receive both classroom instruction and hands-on training tailored to their job, whereas basic training is more about building fundamental military skills.
Q. What is the difference between AIT and MOS?
A. AIT refers to the training program soldiers undergo to learn the skills for their specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). The MOS is the soldier’s job or career field in the Army, such as medical support, logistics, or combat roles. AIT is the process that prepares soldiers for their MOS by providing specialized training in the technical and practical aspects of their job.