I got a slot to go to BLC, what advice can you give me?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 10:16:10 -0500

I got a slot too go to BLC, formally WLC in April. What advice can you give me in regards to the course and location of Ft. McCoy, WI?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Dec 18 at 2015 10:24 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 10:24:11 -0500

I've spent a lot of time at McCoy and the place is boring but you shouldn't have much free time anyway. As for the course itself, most people got dropped for Land Nav and failing their PT test. If you can do both those things you should be good. Everything else should be cake if you've spent any time paying attention to your NCO's the last few years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 10:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 10:41:47 -0500

Get familiar with Drill and Ceremony of you are not familiar with it, learn PRT before hand. Learn from your peers and you all will learn from each other, take your experiences and apply them! If you get a leadership position take command and don't let other run you over! Overall this is a good course for you to learn how Counseling forms and Award recommendations should be written. NCOs Lead the Way!!!!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 18 at 2015 10:55 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 10:55:00 -0500

Do your PT now. Go there with a good attitude and with the mindset that you are going to learn everything you can. Last, it is Ft McCoy and even in April is can be REALLY cold.

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Dec 18 at 2015 11:00 AM

SSG Don Maggart — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:00:38 -0500

Prepare get all your Manuals even borrow those above your pay grade including D&C First AID get markers acetate a good binder pens notebooks and Study your ass off... I assume you are fit enough for it??? You will get out of it what you are PREPARED to put into it... Sargeant...

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 18 at 2015 11:01 AM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:01:13 -0500

Make sure you can lead a PT session. It messed up a bunch of us. Know your TLPs. Bring a notebook with notes on anything that you would need in battle. Make sure it is organized, so that you can get to in 5 seconds or less. Things like Call for Fire, 9Line, UXO. The usual stuff. Make sure you have your Land Nav down. Be ready to instruct on basic task.

If you cuss like I do, check it at the door. They will gig you any time they hear it. Last but not least, when they ask if anybody knows how to fire a 240 don't raise your hand, unless you want to pack that thing for the next 3 days.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 11:11 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:11:13 -0500

Brush up on TLPs
Study
CONTROL F is your friend
Delegate when in a leadership position
D&C
When in charge, ensure barracks are clean and everything is dress right dress
OPORDs.....know them and how to read them
Practice briefings
Dont be "THAT GUY"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 11:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:39:37 -0500

All good advice for the most part. Having been a Senior Instructor at WLC, you'll be given the opportunity to give them feedback on the End of Course Critique.

The EOCC is read by the senior leaders there believe it or not and is given a lot of attention to ensure they are doing everything possible to make the course better. However, be very clear and professional when you give your input.

Clear means, if you feel one of the instructors is unprofessional/toxic, you need to write his/her name so the senior leaders there will know who they need to retrain/possibly remove from the position. The NCOs selected to instruct are sometimes improperly vetted for the position. It is what it is, but the seniors there won't know it until they receive honest feedback on them. Clear part two, if there is something wrong/outdated/inconsistent with any of the doctrine they're using, write it down and be specific so they can update it or remove it. This is one of the easiest changes that can be made almost on the spot.

Professional means, if you write poorly and use immature language, they won't feel your input is very trustworthy. Reread your comments before you submit them to ensure clarity and professionalism. Never, disrespect your SGL. Utilize your Chain of Command and if you're right you're right, but ensure you have your ducks in a row before you challenge one of the instructors. For the most part they're very proficient at what they do. If you don't understand something, raise your hand and ask for clarity. They will provide it on the spot or they will do everything they can to get it to you ASAP.

Most popular reasons for drops when I was there were for APFT, body fat, and land nav. Be receptive, motivated, professional, and above all display the utmost maturity and you'll be fine. I say maturity because you will see some students from day one who shouldn't be there. Their units sent them "to fill a slot". Don't let them rope you into their negativity/immaturity. Try to take them under your wing and help them until you see they just don't care. Some do and turn out to be really good leaders and they didn't even know they could be.

Last and maybe the most important, ensure you have a sponsor that is dedicated to you while you're there. I've seen countless times a student left hanging out to dry by their sponsors. If this happens to you, let your SGL know immediately and they will report it to their senior leaders which will get the situation fixed. As a Senior Instructor it was my top priority at the beginning of each cycle to ensure all of my students had dedicated sponsors and if someone didn't I went straight to my 1SG and we got it fixed on the spot. It takes one phone call to the unit responsible for their Soldier to get them the attention they need.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 12:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:09:23 -0500

It's no longer a lock down course like it used to be, so don't do anything to jeopardize your career. Had a E5 classmate step on his crank, next time I saw him he was down a grade. And I say e5 because he didn't act like an NCO.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 18 at 2015 12:57 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:57:01 -0500

I don't know much about Ft. McCoy, so I can't help you there, sorry. BLC (or WLC or PLDC or whatever they are calling it nowadays) is really nothing to get all worked up about. It was a stupid minor mistake that got me from the Commandants List, a week before graduation, I forgot to secure my phone charger...BAM!, counseling statement, no Commandants List for me. Another guy had a penny on his floor. Don't let the 'minor' stuff get you while you are focusing on the 'big' stuff, it is all big stuff. Also, remember you are there to learn and have some fun, don't let fun overshadow learning.

You don't go until April? Your leadership should have you good to go by then!

Response by SGT Neil Chandler made Dec 18 at 2015 1:50 PM

SGT Neil Chandler — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:50:01 -0500

Ft. McCoy, when I was there, I saw all 4 seasons happen in one day....no s***! As for BLC (formally WLC), I don't know about McCoy. But just pay attention, stay the course and be vigilant. It's not that hard and fun too. A lot of death by powerpoint. Strive for Commandant's list. Take all you can from it. PT and land nav is a must. Good luck SPC. Cody Voye!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 3:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 15:17:48 -0500

Oh, one more thing about FT McCoy. If they still have the program for troubled youth....stay away from them. When I went thru McCoy for RTC for deployment, they had that program and those kids barracks were a stones throw away from mine. It was behooved of us to not even walk their "street."

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 4:53 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 16:53:00 -0500

Be as prepared to follow as you are to lead. Part of the training process is being a faithful participant when it is someone else's turn to lead. Don't be a turd and make their lives difficult. They may just return the favor. Otherwise, just be flexible and follow the instructions that are given and you'll be the honor graduate.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 6:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 18:47:15 -0500

I don't know about fort Mccoy however I just graduated yesterday from blc and best advice is don't get caught up with your grades. do your assignments to the best of your ablity and do your best on the rest of your tasks and you will do good. To many soldiers were worried about commandant list and never made it. Good luck

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 1:05 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 13:05:02 -0500

April at FT MCCOY is like being stuffed in a dryer with spring and hell (winter) and set to tumble for 3 weeks. Have everything, and that means all of your documents. You have to have the APFT completed within 30 days prior, plus be ready to pass the APFT with Basic Training or AIT quality push-ups and sit-ups. You screw up and you're off any commandant's list. Pass height and weight, or at least tape. Be prepared to exercise directly after lunch. Yes, they have you march back from the DFAC and do PT. So if you like running on a full stomach you'll learn to be lean. Remember your hospital corners an room cleanliness. These dorm rooms are comfortable and really a wonderful thing to have, but they will inspect. AIT intensity room rules apply, so a squeegee is useful in the shower and for the mirrors. Mind your laundry. Mine was stolen, and thoughtfully returned after a lock down. Remember how to do a pace count and be good with your compass. The magnetic variation there is only about 1 degree (considering it is dynamically shifting). The compass course will have you upwards of 1500 meters. At a mile between points you'll be walking a long way. Be mindful of awakening pissy animals, a badger chased me and I dropped my found-points list on the compass course. Also, when you're out in the field you'll be staying at some barracks that are considered the FOB. You will have to shave there. Bring yourself a little butane single burner and use your canteen cup to heat water in unless you want a frozen face and razor burn. If you pack some witch hazel and a washcloth you can heat some water with it and do a sponge bath rather than a frozen wet wipe bath (bring wipes anyway). Pack your IFAK with extra bandages and athletic tape. You will not only be invaluable to yourself but team members. Everyone gets a cut or a hot-spot out there. Bring a sewing kit. My 2nd BN ranger comrade bitched about "ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain" until he came to me with a need for my sewing kit and bug repellent after ripping open his pants. Be prepared to deliver a speech on a noteworthy service member. If you are not good at public speaking, get good. Learn how to write an ARCOM and other awards. Learn how to do the sworn statement correctly. Practice the skills in your warrior handbook. You may end up teaching the fireman carry or how to do something else in there. Get good at cadences. Marching sucks if you only know captain Jack and unlike basic training you want to shine in this place. Learn the new version of the Army song, and know the NCO creed by heart. You will be doing the creed at least 3 times a day and the song once a day.

Finally, remember that being an NCO is about your Joe's and not you. You have to work hard to pull everybody through. That means taking a vested interest in the success of your classmates. This isn't a competition, and if you don't build the others up you are in the wrong place for you. Diplomacy and politics truly begin here. In the end be one of the ones that pushes through and graduates. Not everybody does. Have fun. Yes this school permits laughter and enjoyment while maintaining military bearing. Good luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 3:34 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 15:34:59 -0500

The weather is real sketchy in April. Be prepared for snow, rain, mud, or maybe even heat.
Pack more than you think you'll need.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2015 4:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 16:12:02 -0500

Best advice I can give is just stay open minded. Remember they are going to teach you doctrine and it's not going to be how your unit does it. Play the game and soak everything up and take what you like out of it and give it to your soldiers. Good luck.

Response by SFC Enoch Parry made Dec 21 at 2015 7:36 AM

SFC Enoch Parry — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 07:36:20 -0500

When in charge, be in charge. When you aren't in charge do your best to follow your peer's commands, even if they're f'd up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2015 9:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:52:22 -0500

Go there with a positive attitude, ask questions when you are unsure of something, show up with a sharp overall appearance. Above all, apply all that the course teaches, be the best leader you can be. Take care of your Soldiers and they will take care of you. You will do great, good luck.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 9:27 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:27:18 -0500

Study. Lean everything you can.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 11:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 11:14:37 -0500

Know how to do new PT standards,know the NC creed and the Army song. Stay focused and good luck!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 9:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 09:46:41 -0500

Went through WLC there in 2008. It was July and hotter than hell plus humidity. 24hr a day mosquitos and ticks galore. Back then it was a 2 week course so the days were ridiculously long. Going to the field was honestly some of the best training I've had in the Army. It was hard, and fun. Just make sure you do your push ups and sit ups as described in FM 7-22, if you don't they won't count. Know PRT. When I went through it was the old school PT. Have fun and learn as much as you can.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 7:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 07:24:56 -0500

Don't cheat!! Thats it rest is,to easy

Response by SSG Kristell Lee made Jan 9 at 2016 12:43 AM

SSG Kristell Lee — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 00:43:16 -0500

Double, triple check your packing list. And practice leading PRT sessions and the proper execution of each exercise..

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Jul 31 at 2019 11:34 PM

SGT Micheal Adams — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 23:34:57 -0400

Go in, have your stuff together do as asked perform your best and you will be fine. Imagine basic for NCOs you will be fine.