Posted on Dec 9, 2015
Going to Quarter Master BOLC in April. What should I expect?
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I'm going to QM BOLC in APRIL...17th I report. Any recent graduates of the QM course have any advice on material to study up on? I've heard that the Land-Nav is in pairs?!? What were the most challenging parts of the course? Just trying to get a leg up on the material!
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 8
I attended QMBOLC from March til June of this year and it wasn't really difficult. They have some really great instructors there who actually want you to succeed as an Officer. Yes land-nav is in pairs and the course is actually pretty easy. The most challenging part is probably the Tactics weeks since you are working with Officers from both Ordinance and Transportation for a few weeks, its not really hard, more frustrating. Be prepared to run a lot, at least me class did. Pay attention to TACLOG, which will be one of the first blocks of instruction you receive, its a major component in the Capstone assignment at the end. Also you will have an opportunity to volunteer for a position such as Class Leader, XO or a staff position. I would highly recommend volunteering for S-3, you will always know whats going on before anyone else and can stay ahead.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thanks Holmes! I appreciate the feedback. I was hoping to serve in some leadership role during BOLC but being the S-3 sounds like a good gig! Again kudos for chiming in.
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Here are two sites you can visit to learn more about Quartermaster Basic Office Leader Course. The FACEBOOK page will show current and past classes activities and events. The Army Logistics University link will give you specific dates/times/locations for your class. To include a packing list, training overview, uniforms and other important data. Hope this helps.
https://www.facebook.com/QuartermasterBOLC/?fref=ts and/ or http://www.alu.army.mil/ALU_STDINFO/BOLC_QM.htm.
https://www.facebook.com/QuartermasterBOLC/?fref=ts and/ or http://www.alu.army.mil/ALU_STDINFO/BOLC_QM.htm.
Quartermaster Basic Officer Leadership Course
Quartermaster Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Lee, Virginia. 128 likes · 3 talking about this. This page is intended as a place for incoming and...
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1LT (Join to see)
Thanks for the great resources Ma'am! My real hurdle will be qualifying as it usually takes me 1-2 times to qual. That aside I'm excited for the course & ready to learn as much as possible to bring that knowledge back to my unit.
It looks like your an instructor there so hopefully we'll get a chance to meet in person. Again thank you for the resources!
It looks like your an instructor there so hopefully we'll get a chance to meet in person. Again thank you for the resources!
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I just graduated last September. Landnav was in buddy teams, and the course was easy. I really wouldn't worry about the tactical side of the training. That stuff is easy. The presentations are what will get you, and the CAPstone assignment was brutal. I don't think I slept for 4 days straight preparing for that presentation. If you can get some examples from a previous class that will help you out a lot, but it still takes a lot of planning and preparation to make your slides presentable. Good luck!!
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Compared with OCS, the only tough training will be staying awake, after blunt Power point trauma. That can easily award you the coveted Power Point Ranger Tab. Sorry I didn't get to earned it. Jaja.
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Been a couple years since I attended ...
As far as land nav - pick a partner that will fill in for your weakness (map reading or pace count). I had an Afganistan partner and his was superior at his pace count in meters which made things so much easier. I doubt the points have changed much. There were 2 that were close but most are so far apart it is hard to be wrong if you are headed in the right direction.
As far as the rest, if you pay attention, take notes, and review before the tests you should be fine.
My favorite part was learning the MOSes and getting hands on training.
Good Luck
As far as land nav - pick a partner that will fill in for your weakness (map reading or pace count). I had an Afganistan partner and his was superior at his pace count in meters which made things so much easier. I doubt the points have changed much. There were 2 that were close but most are so far apart it is hard to be wrong if you are headed in the right direction.
As far as the rest, if you pay attention, take notes, and review before the tests you should be fine.
My favorite part was learning the MOSes and getting hands on training.
Good Luck
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1LT (Join to see)
Thanks for the input Ma'am, I've heard similar gripes about the lack of on hands material from other recent grads so I've settled on the fact that it won't be the most intellectually stimulating course.
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its been a minute since I attended OBC.
Now that you are a 2LT, this isn't a test. People want you to succeed and will generally help you where you need it. You are either PCS or TDY to Fort Lee, and the Army needs you to graduate so that you can be useful to the Army.
My point being, don't let it keep you up at night. To answer your question, read the regs that they assign (reading regs will probably put you to sleep, but....).
Now that you are a 2LT, this isn't a test. People want you to succeed and will generally help you where you need it. You are either PCS or TDY to Fort Lee, and the Army needs you to graduate so that you can be useful to the Army.
My point being, don't let it keep you up at night. To answer your question, read the regs that they assign (reading regs will probably put you to sleep, but....).
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you for the insight sir! I'm not stressing about the course just trying to make the most out of this opportunity. Unless I deploy soon, this 4 months on orders will be the only opportunity to get some really good training & experience in uniform for the indefinite future.
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The most challenging part of QMBOLC is staying disciplined. If you attended OCS where TACs were constantly in your face, the this will be heaven for you. Study, and try not to drink too much. Once you pass APFT you're good. Land nav is too dam easy.
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1LT (Join to see)
The APFT won't be a problem for me! I went to OCS at Benning and I thought that was a challenge for sure. So its nice to hear that QMBOLC isn't going to be OCS part II. My only struggle honestly will be the QUAL Range...It takes me a 1-2 times to qualify usually, so I hope the range isn't a POS.
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1LT (Join to see)
My class was the test class for the new ftx at the time. Qualifying was a joke. You got it don't worry. Ftx starts at 0600 ends at 1800. Better than sleeping out there.
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I am surprised nobody else has responded 1LT (Join to see). When I went though IOBC in 1980 dismounted Land Nav was an individual event. The most challenging thing about land nav for me was night land nav at Fort Benning because of the thick undergrowth.
If you are very comfortable with using a compass and map land nav should not be too much of a problem - ensure no iron objects get close to your compass :-) That was more of an issue when we were wearing steel pots.
If your QM BOLC course includes vehicle land nav that would make sense to be conducted in groups.
If you are very comfortable with using a compass and map land nav should not be too much of a problem - ensure no iron objects get close to your compass :-) That was more of an issue when we were wearing steel pots.
If your QM BOLC course includes vehicle land nav that would make sense to be conducted in groups.
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1LT (Join to see)
I know the struggle of Land Nav at Fort Benning sir! My initial Land Nav test at OCS was at Red Diamond which is a challenging course due to the extensive overgrowth that creeps over everything (especially in the Summer!). A couple of other LT's have confirmed the verdict that Land-Nav is done in teams...which isn't something that I'm opposed to from a leadership perspective but that doesn't make Land-Nav any less challenging. From the other LT's I've talked to it doesn't look like we will be doing mounted land-nav...a pity since its certainly a skill that would highly valuable in the field
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