Posted on Dec 18, 2015
SSG(P) Photographer/Owner
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I got a slot too go to BLC, formally WLC in April. What advice can you give me in regards to the course and location of Ft. McCoy, WI?
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Brush up on TLPs
Study
CONTROL F is your friend
Delegate when in a leadership position
D&C
When in charge, ensure barracks are clean and everything is dress right dress
OPORDs.....know them and how to read them
Practice briefings
Dont be "THAT GUY"
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SSG Carlos Madden
SSG Carlos Madden
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"Control F" is pretty much how everyone passes NCOES
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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SSG Carlos Madden - Sadly, when I went thru, there were people that actually failed the academic tests.
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SGT William Howell
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Make sure you can lead a PT session. It messed up a bunch of us. Know your TLPs. Bring a notebook with notes on anything that you would need in battle. Make sure it is organized, so that you can get to in 5 seconds or less. Things like Call for Fire, 9Line, UXO. The usual stuff. Make sure you have your Land Nav down. Be ready to instruct on basic task.

If you cuss like I do, check it at the door. They will gig you any time they hear it. Last but not least, when they ask if anybody knows how to fire a 240 don't raise your hand, unless you want to pack that thing for the next 3 days.
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SSG CH-47 Helicopter Repairer
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I made the mistake of raising my hand when asked about the 240....life was hell
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SGT William Howell
SGT William Howell
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SSG (Join to see) Yep nobody told me either. Only mine was a M-60.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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SGT William Howell luckily, no one asked that question when I went thru. we were all just given rifles.
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SFC Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
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All good advice for the most part. Having been a Senior Instructor at WLC, you'll be given the opportunity to give them feedback on the End of Course Critique.

The EOCC is read by the senior leaders there believe it or not and is given a lot of attention to ensure they are doing everything possible to make the course better. However, be very clear and professional when you give your input.

Clear means, if you feel one of the instructors is unprofessional/toxic, you need to write his/her name so the senior leaders there will know who they need to retrain/possibly remove from the position. The NCOs selected to instruct are sometimes improperly vetted for the position. It is what it is, but the seniors there won't know it until they receive honest feedback on them. Clear part two, if there is something wrong/outdated/inconsistent with any of the doctrine they're using, write it down and be specific so they can update it or remove it. This is one of the easiest changes that can be made almost on the spot.

Professional means, if you write poorly and use immature language, they won't feel your input is very trustworthy. Reread your comments before you submit them to ensure clarity and professionalism. Never, disrespect your SGL. Utilize your Chain of Command and if you're right you're right, but ensure you have your ducks in a row before you challenge one of the instructors. For the most part they're very proficient at what they do. If you don't understand something, raise your hand and ask for clarity. They will provide it on the spot or they will do everything they can to get it to you ASAP.

Most popular reasons for drops when I was there were for APFT, body fat, and land nav. Be receptive, motivated, professional, and above all display the utmost maturity and you'll be fine. I say maturity because you will see some students from day one who shouldn't be there. Their units sent them "to fill a slot". Don't let them rope you into their negativity/immaturity. Try to take them under your wing and help them until you see they just don't care. Some do and turn out to be really good leaders and they didn't even know they could be.

Last and maybe the most important, ensure you have a sponsor that is dedicated to you while you're there. I've seen countless times a student left hanging out to dry by their sponsors. If this happens to you, let your SGL know immediately and they will report it to their senior leaders which will get the situation fixed. As a Senior Instructor it was my top priority at the beginning of each cycle to ensure all of my students had dedicated sponsors and if someone didn't I went straight to my 1SG and we got it fixed on the spot. It takes one phone call to the unit responsible for their Soldier to get them the attention they need.
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