Posted on Jan 17, 2016
SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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I am graduating from the 68C AIT program. I have earned many COAs, am on the student leadership board, have maxed out on civilian education and correspondence courses, am about to complete SSD1, and have a 230 PT score. How do I prove to my first unit at my first duty station that I am ready for WLC?
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SSG Retired!!!
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Improve your apft by 70 points
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CW3 Network Architect
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At first, i was irked by this answer. I sat back and thought about it a bit, and SSG Maravi is correct. The Army puts an undue emphasis on PT studs, so improving his APFT, right or not, WILL get the original poster the kind of attention he is seeking.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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SFC (Join to see) - Thank you, SGT.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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SSG (Join to see) - Thank you, SSG.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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CW3 (Join to see) - Thank you, CW2(P).
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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For starters, when on a military associated social media site, try using your actual name instead of what you have listed. In my twisted sense of thinking, your "Sneaka Dee" is meant in a twisted and perverted sense of humor. Which normally I wouldn't care too much about except when you are seeking advice from many a Soldier (same rank and way way higher) on here about leadership. And seeing the name Sneaka Dee just does not present professionalism/leadership to me.
Secondly, it is good to be hungry with your goals....but to show that you are ready for WLC (BLC now), you have to PROVE that you are ready and are the best candidate to send. And how do you prove that, well, you start by becoming that sponge again when you get to your duty assignment. Right now you have scholastic world on your brain.....you are about to be diving into operational world. Two entirely different beasts. Having SSD-1 complete is good since you can't go without it done. 230 PT score is good, but be ready to hear that the company standard for the unit you are heading to could very well be 260 or higher. I once knew a platoon sergeant in the Engineers where his standard before you could even smell the promotion board was an APFT score of 270. All of these things are good and all, but you still have to prove your worth to your new unit. And, as I said being hungry is good.......but if you show yourself to be too hungry then that could backfire on you. Be hungry, be driven, but don't be overbearing. Your new NCO's are going to be judging and evaluating you before you will even see BLC. Those NCOs are the first ones you will have prove yourself to.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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SSG, thank you. When I registered for this account, it used the name I have attached to my civilian email account. "Sneaka" is a shortened version of my first name. I am trying to figure out how to change it to my actual name.
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SGT Cryptologic Linguist
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I would say just express an interest in wanting to go. Keep pressing the issue. Not in a way that you annoy them, just that youre on their mind when they need to send people. If youre lucky and have an NCO that actually gives you monthly counselings, include BLC(new name for WLC) as one of your goals.
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SGT Sniper Team Leader
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You aren't ready. Just because you look good on paper means nothing. The quicker you understand that, the faster you'll go.

Show them by your actions.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you for your input, SGT.
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How do I prove to my new unit that they should send me to WLC?
LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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I think it is a shame that so much emphasis is put on scoring a 300 on the APFT. One of my former BN XOs put it like this: who would you rather have on your team? a guy who is 6'2" 200 lbs that can ruck all day and carry a 249 in one hand but scores a 200 on the APFT or a guy who is 5'6" 130 pounds who maxes the APFT but can barely carry his own body weight? Each person is different, but simply because someone can score a 300 on the APFT, it doesn't guarantee they are going to be a good soldier.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, Sir.
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MAJ Staff Crna
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There's no room for intellect and logic here now. LOL
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SGM Mike Bachini
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Edited >1 y ago
Ask for responsibility.
Don't be an asshat.
Be the expert at your assigned tasks .
Volunteer to go to the Soldier of the Month board, actually study and do well at the board.
Lead the SOM and promotion board study group, if there is not one, ask to make one and participate.
Get better at PT, if it is perceived you are not that strong or look fluffy, fix it.
Help others with PT, volunteer to assist with the special population program. You get to do free extra PT and learn how to lead PT.
After a good bit (6-10 months) of showing you are ready to go to the next level, ask for it.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SGM.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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SGM Mike Bachini , #2 is such a great piece of advice.
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SPC Jeff Leonard
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By your actions. Become a valuable asset and know your job inside and out.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SPC.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SPC.
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SPC Retrans Operator
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Brown nose your leaders. Be really loud all the time and get a 300. Job competency and character don't matter in today's Army.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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Sad, but in many cases this is true, especially in the NG. High character and stellar job performance are much less important than kissing the right ass and being a PT stud. I've seen top notch soldiers get passed over in favor of some idiot that couldn't soldier his/her way out of a piss-soaked paper bag but got promoted because their daddy or uncle or whatever was a retired COL/GEN in the guard, all they ever did was PT and they constantly brown nosed the 1SG or CO.
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SPC Retrans Operator
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LTC (Join to see) - True in the RA as well Maj Burch. I was more competent at my job than my NCO most days. I was the one who cared about and for the soldiers. I was the one putting in long hours and volunteering to learn new things and take on new assignments. I was praised for my skills and professionalism by LTC and down. But when promotion time came around, only a 230 Bush? Let's promote the 300 who doesn't know anything and you have to carry at work.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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I knew a CPT, got relieved for cause as Company CO while deployed to Iraq and sent home. Guy left his 9mm in a port-o-let and didn't report it missing for 2 days. SGM from another unit found it and turned it in. And there were other issues. Sent home in disgrace and yet 6 months later he gets promoted to Major. His father-in-law was a retired 2 star and had been the former TAG for the state. I guess daddy-in-law pulled some strings to get his misdeeds swept under the rug and promoted him.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SPC.
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SPC(P) Jay Heenan
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First off, is your name really "Sneaka Dee"? If so that is fine, but remember that the Army is moving to be a more professional service. You are just getting ready to complete AIT, I admire your drive to become a leader and to progress in your career, but your leadership won't even look at sending you to BLC (what used to be WLC and PLDC) until you have proven yourself doing your job and have some time in the Army. Stay focused on your goals, become the "go to" guy. Start studying for the board now, volunteer somewhere once you get to your duty station and keep track of your hours, stay out of trouble and look for opportunities to do extra stuff for your unit. Work on getting your PT score at least in the 250 range, that way when you start competing in Soldier of the Quarter competitions, you won't lose points (preferable, in the 270 or above range to be competitive).

Don't stress, you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. Keep working at your goals, don't let your leadership lose sight of YOUR goals (mention them in your monthly counselings) and you will be fine! Good luck with all that you do in the service.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SPC.
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SPC Robert Garcia
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Go to War first, then come back and see if you still give a shit. Not saying, just saying.
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SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SPC.
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SPC Robert Garcia
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SGT(P) (Join to see) - You're Welcome, SPC
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My recommendation? Don't rush it! You just learned the schoolhouse way of doing your job. Now go into the force and implement it. Learn from your peers, leaders, and civilian counterparts. Use your time to observe mission accomplishment, company level and below operations, and your leaders actions (and inactions). Volunteer for different duties and details to broaden your understanding ad learn what does and does not work. As stated many times, be at the right place, at the right time, and in the right uniform. Be present in all activities, open to constructive criticism, and engaged. Keep your bearing and bring a positive attitude. If you do that, your unit will be eager to send you to the board and NCOES. Just don't expect it to happen right away - this is truly about the journey and not the destination. Good luck!
SGT(P) Practical/Vocational Nursing
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Thank you, SFC.
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