Having trouble securing a slot for BLC?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 07:52:02 -0400

I’ve been in the army national Guard now for 6 years. 4 of those years as a specialist. I pass my PT tests, score expert in marksmanship, work well, and I’ve even asked however I can’t seem to get a BLC slot. Advice? And thank you all.

Response by SGT Everett Bickford made Mar 27 at 2019 7:59 AM

SGT Everett Bickford — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 07:59:36 -0400

I've been in a few guard units also. It could be a legitimate funding issue. It could also be a prioritization issue. My hearty recommendation is to make certain that you have not irritated anyone who could influence that decision. Look into making friends (socially) with the "full timer" company clerk.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 8:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:05:23 -0400

Do you have to complete SSD1 in the Guard? Or Corespondents courses from Skill Port? I know being active having that SSD done is a major factor on who shows up on the list to go.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 8:06 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:06:08 -0400

First thing first is do you have a "P" status. I'm pretty sure the national guard has to follow big army regulation on promotions which would be the STEP program now. But I know the NG is limited since slot are only for a state so I'm sure it gets tricky.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 8:08 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:08:59 -0400

You can't go unless you've completed SSD-1 which should now be DLC-1.
Once you have those, complete a promotion packet and get added to the PPRL. Threat will give you high priority.
Keep at it, be flexible and available. It'll happen.
Its
If it doesn't, switch to the USAR, we'll get you there!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 8:32 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:32:16 -0400

The courses themselves have plenty of room, except in the summer when everybody wants to go. I think you have a situation that is unit-specific.
Possibilities:
1. Your unit is not allocated very many slots. This happens. However, most BLC courses will take in more than they can actually train, knowing quite a few will fall out on ht/wt or APFT or whatever. Look into getting put in on "wait" status.
2. Personalities are involved. Maybe your training NCO is lazy, or has a non-customer service mindset. The solution to that is getting your CoC, specifically your First Sergeant involved.
3. Maybe you aren't in "the club". From what I understand, that is a thing in Guard units. Sometimes they try to manage who gets promoted into limited positions by managing who goes to school when. Might need to turn on the charm with the powers that be to get your permission slip to go to school.
4. Maybe you just aren't noisy enough. You might feel like you asked about it, but you are a guy that they see once a month, and without following up with them on a work day, they just straight up forget about it. Be the squeaky wheel. Keep asking until the answer is yes or no with a reason why not.
Good luck SPC Private RallyPoint Member . Let me know how it turns out and what they say.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 27 at 2019 8:46 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:46:56 -0400

Just a question, but you show you are an 11B in an Engineer Unit. If that is the case, you probably are not promotable since you aren't MOS qualified for any of their slots. If this is the case, have they offered to reclass you?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 10:17 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:17:21 -0400

Is your dlc1 done

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Mar 27 at 2019 10:30 AM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:30:19 -0400

As I read some of these comments, a shame we are telling this kid to “make friends, get into the in crowd, get to know people...” WTF ever happened to being an NCO/Officer and taking care of your damn troops? Big Army, Little Army, NG, USAR, should ALL be held to the same standards, and if they are NOT, then there is a complete FAILURE in the Chain of Command! When you put on a uniform, it shouldn’t be to go to a damn social event, rather ones place of duty! Leave the damn politics to the legislative branch of government or get the hell out of the military! This seriously chafes my ass-end... Good luck kid, sorry I cannot help you with “Today’s” school standards other than to tell you to run through your Chain of Command, get the most in promotion points/status for the element you are in and be the best SPC in your outfit! Otherwise, would recommend you find a new home to rest your military boots for a lack of NCOs and Officers in your direct charge... Mind you, as previously mentioned, this could all be associated with funding. Look at your options... Take control of your career, don’t let them do it for you!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 10:31 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:31:06 -0400

You have to meet other pre-reqs before seeing BLC. Besides passing APFT, current Weapons qual, you also need to be GREEN in your DLC and need to be Promotable

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Mar 28 at 2019 12:08 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 00:08:45 -0400

Talk to your SGM.j

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Mar 28 at 2019 12:10 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 00:10:34 -0400

Me and SGM's generally did not get along once I made warrant. As a enlisted man they gave me max ncoers

Response by 1SG John Cummings made Mar 31 at 2019 10:57 PM

1SG John Cummings — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 22:57:45 -0400

Have you talked to your Readiness NCO, Platoon Leader and/or Platoon Sergeant? Maybe there aren't any SGT slots in the unit or state and you are in a dead end MOS?