What must soldiers complete before entering AIT?

Before entering Advanced Individual Training (AIT), soldiers must complete Basic Combat Training (BCT). BCT is the initial training that every soldier undergoes to develop foundational military skills, including physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline. It represents a crucial step in preparing soldiers for the technical and specialized training that they will receive during AIT. The skills and knowledge gained during BCT are essential as they lay the groundwork for the specialized tasks soldiers will learn in AIT, which focuses on their specific military occupational specialty (MOS).

The other options listed, while relevant to the military training process, are not prerequisites for entering AIT. Advanced Tactical Training, Leadership Training, and Operational Readiness Training are designed for deeper skill development and leadership preparation, but they occur after the completion of BCT and AIT, or may be conducted in conjunction with a soldier’s ongoing career development. Thus, completion of BCT is the necessary step that enables soldiers to progress to their AIT effectively.