Do you have to BLC to be laterally promoted to Corporal?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 08:54:05 -0500

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Mar 8 at 2021 8:56 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 08:56:49 -0500

When laterally promoting those in my charge, I never considered it in the calculus of my decision making, nor did I have any issues with my S1. My main concern was competence and leadership abilities

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 8 at 2021 9:10 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:10:15 -0500

Not that I"m aware of. I have been asked for my recommendation from the CoC regarding some of my soldiers at different times throughout my career. Like CSM Chuck Stafford said, it's about who's competent and can be trusted in the position.

Response by SGT(P) Abner Lozano made Mar 8 at 2021 9:18 AM

SGT(P) Abner Lozano — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:18:20 -0500

No. You don’t need BLC. All you need is a 4187 filled out by your CoC and signed by your Commander laterally promoting you to CPL. After, give a copy of it to your S-1. However, in order to get promoted to CPL, you need to be filling a 2O skill level or higher.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 8 at 2021 9:24 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:24:30 -0500

Not doctrinally, but the Commander can set that as a criteria if they choose.

Response by SGM Jeff Mccloud made Mar 8 at 2021 9:36 AM

SGM Jeff Mccloud — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:36:58 -0500

You must be otherwise eligible for promotion consideration (not including BLC), and moved to an E5 position.
This is can happen prior to BLC, but as it is the commander's discretion, they can add BLC as a requirement.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 8 at 2021 9:37 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:37:50 -0500

No. Yes. Maybe.

Lateral appointments to Corporal are PURELY at the discretion of the Commander. What sets a SPC abvoe his peers such that the SPC is DESERVING of the rare honor of becoming a Corporal? Generally speaking, at least throughout my career, CPLs were a very rare breed. The overwhelming majority of SGTs went from SPC to SGT with no CPL time in between. So to be considered for the rank, that SPC has to show SOMETHING that sets them above and beyond. That something does not HAVE to be BLC, but I would wager that a SPC that is putting BLC off or asking if they "have to" have BLC is probably not the SPC the Commander is looking for.

Unless unit policy dictates different, BLC is not required. But only a fool would try to dodge it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2021 4:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:30:09 -0400

Depends on your unit. My unit requires that you be a SPC with your P status and finished BLC school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2021 8:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:52:12 -0400

It’s my understanding that a SPC is not promoted but appointed to Cpl.