As a prior service Army E5 with no BLC joining the National Guard, is BLC different for Active Duty compared to Reserves/National Guard?

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 15:59:23 -0400

I heard that it was a shorter version of BLC for National Guard soldiers vs AD soldiers? Is this true or do all go trough the same BLC?

Response by CPT Stephanie Lincoln made Mar 12 at 2018 4:04 PM

CPT Stephanie Lincoln — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:04:59 -0400

It is s shorter version. You will attend BLC at one of the Regional Training Institutes (RTI). You will only attend with other Guard Members, possibly some from other States as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 4:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:17:07 -0400

I took it in the NG and it was two weeks - but it was four weeks of instruction compressed into two weeks. We started class at 0400 and it ran till 2100-2200

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 4:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:40:38 -0400

When I went thru in 2015 it was all the same active and national guard. I went in kuwait while on deployment so idk if that matters.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Mar 12 at 2018 5:42 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 17:42:56 -0400

I went in 1989, the class is the same without the filler of details

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 12 at 2018 5:45 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 17:45:50 -0400

If you are Guard/Reserve go to Active Duty schools every chance you get. Great way to build retirement points.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 9:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:18:45 -0400

The total length of the course will be shorter. Both RA and NG can attend either course. The NG course will run less days but more hours and typically Saturday and Sunday. Both courses follow the same Course Management Plan and have identical course material.

Response by SGT Ralph Myers Jr made Mar 13 at 2018 11:49 PM

SGT Ralph Myers Jr — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 23:49:09 -0400

I'm in the Reserves and went to BLC in APR/MAY of 2017 at Camp Ashland, NE. The course was three weeks long and it was a combination of Active Duty, Reserves and National Guard.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 12:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:52:20 -0400

It’s the same thing. I went to BLC with active duty soldiers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 3:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 15:49:37 -0400

I’m national guard and I went to wlc which is now blc with active and reserve soldiers. It’s one standard across the army no matter which branch of the army it is.

Response by SGT Michael Hardy made Apr 1 at 2018 10:10 AM

SGT Michael Hardy — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 10:10:31 -0400

No it is basically the same. I had National Guard and Reservists with me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 6:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 06:23:32 -0400

When I went to BLC, I sucked at land nav. Seriously, i was so bad that I got lost with a DAGR! We spent one whole day on map reading, then a couple days practicing. At first we went as buddy teams, if you didn't think you could do it on your own. Then, the instructor would check your points and give you a new set of points. We practiced land nav for a couple of days before you were tested out. Out of out whole class, we only lost one or two soldiers, due to land nav failures. I passed, and like I said, I couldn't even figure out the GPS/DAGR! So, with that being said, don't stress! The instructors are really good, and they will take baby steps with you, to ensure you understand it. I felt like a pro when it was time to test out.