Has anyone from Army Branch been to the Battle Staff NCO Course? If so, how difficult is it?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:59:40 -0400

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 24 at 2015 3:12 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:12:03 -0400

I went to the Battle Staff NCO Course (many moons ago!), as is with most military schools, you go into the course prepared to learn, pay attention and you will do well......it is a very attention to detail kind of class

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 5:25 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:25:31 -0400

It has been about 5 years since I went. Key to success is as stated by CSM Uhlig. I would prepare by digging into military symbols and Plans and Ops. This will give you a leg up. Graphics and Overlays is very attention to detail oriented.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Aug 24 at 2015 6:29 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 18:29:56 -0400

Graduated in 98... and hands down the best course i went too as an NCO. Attention to detail... and pay attention to those WfF that you are not familar with.

ADP/ADRRP 3.0, 5.0, 6.0 and FM 6-0... & sustainment FM... if you know nothing about the Tactical Mission Command systems. .. get to know them... never forget the analog though.

Best advice is what my Ops NCO told me... stop thinking tactical ... this an Operational Course.... and all the time keep thinking MDMP... I still use its lessons today.

Good luck

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 7:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 19:12:27 -0400

Graduated in 2012. Learned more in those four weeks than all other NCOES schools put together.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 7:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 19:23:23 -0400

Went in 2013 awesome course. The subjects that were very challenging for me was. IPB, MDMP, and overlay and graphics. Prepared yourself and there is a book titled "BATTLE STAFF" that I purchased that helped me a lot throughout the course. Good luck!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 8:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 20:11:39 -0400

It's a good course, however I thought it to be very easy. If you have ever worked on a staff before you will know the majority of the information going in. As long as you have good research abilities you will succeed throughout the course. Good luck!

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Aug 24 at 2015 9:21 PM

MSG Marcel Guaring — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:21:24 -0400

Concur with all the previous comments. All topics and subject with be taught by the Battle Room instructors using the standard POI. It is another NCOES course but specifically more geared towards staff level assignment. Graphic and overlays is where majority of the 1st time NO-GO comes from so do brush up on the topic. Good Luck but I know you will do well 1SG.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 11:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 23:26:24 -0400

Went last year. By far one of the better courses I've attended. For the NCO that likes detail, this course is great.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 9:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:24:23 -0400

I was an instructor for 2 years and I will say that it has gotten much easier with the introduction of computers and CTRL+F. They stopped grading the overlay which was a high attrition killer. You should be fine. Just pay attention, take copious notes and remember where you found info.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 7:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 19:40:03 -0400

Went to the class in 2012! Awesome class I learned so much and actually understood it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 5:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 17:07:56 -0400

A lot easier than previous years ago. As long you complete and read your class materials. You are going to be ok. Good luck.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 4:43 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:43:54 -0400

I attended Battle Staff earlier this year. My class was about half E-6 and half was made up of E-7 and a few E-8. It was a very challenging course, with a lot of information to learn, but all of the exams were open book and multiple choice. If you know how to search a pdf, the exams were fairly simple. Out of six exams, I only answered three questions incorrectly.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 9:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 21:41:38 -0400

how you been to the battle staff course yet?

Response by SSG Robert Pratt made Mar 19 at 2017 1:24 PM

SSG Robert Pratt — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 13:24:19 -0400

I went to the course way back in January of 1994. It was one of the most intense courses I ever attended. Graphics and overlays was a big killer.