Can BLC/ALC be waived while deployed?

SGT Eric Davis — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:45:02 -0400

I heard that if you are deployed that BLC and ALC can be waived to get promoted. Is that true?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 1:13 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 May 2018 01:13:38 -0400

ARCENT has BLC courses in both Kuwait and Afghanistan. I’d recommend if you have any soldiers that need BLC to get them in class while deployed. I returned about 6 months ago and was able to get a number of soldiers through BLC while deployed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 5:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 May 2018 05:14:38 -0400

You have up to 270 days after redeployment to attend either BLC or ALC orlose your promotable status.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made May 30 at 2018 7:30 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Wed, 30 May 2018 07:30:29 -0400

SGT Davis,
Any leadership school as such you will have to attend at some point. It is also depending on your unit's leadership to either send you to school, then come back to finish the deployment, or send you home early to attend which happened to me when I was deployed to Kosovo. I could be wrong but these schools can't be waived completely.

Response by MSG Don H. made May 30 at 2018 12:08 PM

MSG Don H. — Wed, 30 May 2018 12:08:23 -0400

I thought HRC stopped the waivers a few years ago. I know that there BLC courses at certain deployed locations. I have heard of soldiers being sent back to the states for ALC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 12:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 May 2018 12:25:44 -0400

Last I had heard or read they were not waiving NCOES for promotion. When I went to ALC, there was a guy in there who was deployed and got sent back to do that and then went right back to Afghanistan after graduation. That was 2012.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 1:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 May 2018 13:18:23 -0400

There are no waivers to be prompted without attending the proper NCOPDS. However, your attendance to such school can be postponed. If you chose to do this, your name will go at the bottom of the OML, so it is not recommended.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 30 at 2018 2:46 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 30 May 2018 14:46:12 -0400

It would help if somebody would hunt down the message that defines the issue for the original poster lots of last I heard responses some of them are correct some of them won’t be because it can’t be both ways so if you have access to search the HOC site it be great if you could post the message that’s pertinent

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 11:39 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 May 2018 11:39:17 -0400

Yes. It is Possible. It’s called a “Battlefield Promition” and getting one is completely up to your BN CSM and BC.

BUT! And there’s always a BUT.....

Once your tour is complete, you have 60-90 days to go to BLC/ALC or you lose your rank. sadly there is no way around these schools.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 6:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 06:26:35 -0400

NO..ish. if you look under the enlisted promotion section if HRC, you will notice a link for Exception to policy (ETP) for promotion without NCOES while deployed but there is no ALARACT published yet. So it seems like it is a work in progress. My group was denied the ETP at HRC level back in June/July 17.
Yes there are NCOAs in Kuwait and AFG and they are much shorter. But they are not active all the time. Plus admission was not easy, For my group at least.

Ended up doing BLC the old fashioned way.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 7:15 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 07:15:09 -0400

Due to the OPTEMPO, the Army has provided guidance and a template for use to seek an exception to policy (ETP) for promotion for deployed Soldiers. Deferment to Professional Military Education (PME) / ETP Promotion Semi-Centralized Promotions (for SM on TCS orders with no opportunity to attend PME). The Army policy in regards to STEP remains unchanged as PME continues to remain a promotion pin-on requirement. An ETP may be considered when Soldiers meet the following criteria:

1. Fully qualified for promotion (except for PME)
2. Operationally deployed
3. Lack of training opportunity
4. Otherwise fully eligible to attend PME
5. Possess the skills required of the next grade
6. Previously have met/exceeded announced cutoff score
7. Commander verifies Soldier has the capacity to serve at the higher grade
8. Commander must verify they will prioritize PME training to affected Soldier upon redeployment

If a Soldier is promoted under the ETP for the criteria stated above, the following must be advised:

1. Must be processed though the chain of command, including the ACOM/ASCC they are assigned (HRC will only accept if signed off by the ACOM/ASCC)
2. May be delayed up to one month (administrative process) and will not be retroactive
3. Does not relieve the NCO from completing the PME required for the grade to which promoted
4. Disqualifies the NCO for future promotion eligibility until PME is completed

To continue to groom Army leaders of tomorrow, the Army challenges our leaders to ensure that we send our Soldiers to their respective PME as soon the opportunities becomes available.

The point of contact for this policy change is SGM Derek D. Johnson, Army G-1 Sergeant Major.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 7 at 2018 9:21 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:21:40 -0400

Last I heard it was not waived just postponed till your return- not sure if that stops the promotion tho.