SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1366385 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm trying to determine what type of learning environment I should prepare for at BLC. The only other school I've been to is Air Assault. Is it difficult, or is it one of those "if you pay attention you will be fine" type of schools? I'm about to leave for BLC. How difficult a school would you rate it? 2016-03-09T10:21:40-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1366385 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm trying to determine what type of learning environment I should prepare for at BLC. The only other school I've been to is Air Assault. Is it difficult, or is it one of those "if you pay attention you will be fine" type of schools? I'm about to leave for BLC. How difficult a school would you rate it? 2016-03-09T10:21:40-05:00 2016-03-09T10:21:40-05:00 SGT Richard H. 1366394 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm sure it has evolved since my time...at least the name has, twice (PLDC, WLC, BLC), but I found it exceedingly easy. It's a lot of classroom, a little bit of PT, a little bit of D&amp;C, and I'd bet that as an Infantryman, you'll find the field portion to be a joke. Response by SGT Richard H. made Mar 9 at 2016 10:25 AM 2016-03-09T10:25:16-05:00 2016-03-09T10:25:16-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 1366401 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It should not challenge you half as much as Air Assault. I'm not even sure how much you have to pay attention. Keep in mind though I went through PLDC years ago, and I had 8 years experience with the military prior to attending. It might be different now. Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 10:29 AM 2016-03-09T10:29:15-05:00 2016-03-09T10:29:15-05:00 SGT Dave Tracy 1366512 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's predominately an academic environment, less so a training environment. I went through WLC 5 years ago (under the watchful eye of the Sergeant Major Academy BTW), but I've been told its changed a bit since then. I have a guy in it now, and he recently informed me it's still Death by PowerPoint, but Land Nav has returned apparently and as the Army has been drifting back to a garrison Army, they are being sticklers for formality. <br /><br />Make sure you have EVERYTHING on the packing list. I heard just this weekend at BA, they were sending people home who didn't have their dress blues, shoes, etc. Also, from my experience they like to put Infantry in charge of things--whether it's confidence in the proper "dress-right-dress" rigidity of life as a grunt or because they secretly hope to seeing Infantry fail, I don't know--but especially when doing situational training exercises, don't be surprised if you are tasked to lead. Oh, and know your NCO creed!<br /><br />Unless it has changed so much since I was there, most do just fine in BLC/WLC/PLDC-whatever its called at a given moment in history. We only had one person fail in our entire class, and our class had about a dozen Jordanian students in it (and they all passed!). In fact, with just a modicum of effort, you'll likely make Commandant's List!<br /><br />Good luck, and have some fun with it. Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 9 at 2016 11:01 AM 2016-03-09T11:01:16-05:00 2016-03-09T11:01:16-05:00 SSG Carlos Madden 1367267 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I can&#39;t speak for BLC but when I was in PLDC is was not a &quot;pay attention you will be fine&quot; type of school. Our group graduated with less than half from what we started with. That being said, most people got dropped after land nav and their PT test so if you can pass those like every soldier is supposed to anyway, you&#39;ll be fine. Good Luck and Congrats. Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Mar 9 at 2016 2:54 PM 2016-03-09T14:54:42-05:00 2016-03-09T14:54:42-05:00 SSG Jesse Cheadle 1367287 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Death by powerpoint. All other comments are a go. Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 9 at 2016 3:03 PM 2016-03-09T15:03:12-05:00 2016-03-09T15:03:12-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1367350 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I too am getting ready to head to BLC, what post will you be completing the course at SGT? Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 3:28 PM 2016-03-09T15:28:10-05:00 2016-03-09T15:28:10-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 1367366 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is of course a subjective question and possible answers may prep you for success, as well as failure. Regardless of level of difficulty others may have, or their level of annoyance, or their past, present, and future capabilities; it is recommended to go into any course the Army sends you to and learn as much as possible. One ideally will want to stay motivated and focus on coming out with additional knowledge of how to lead in a complex world. It is not recommended to go in there with any less attitude than coming out doing the best you could. These schools are here to develop us and anything mentality less than doing ones best is unacceptable. With that being said, remember why your there but by all means, have fun and make connections with other leaders. Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 3:34 PM 2016-03-09T15:34:46-05:00 2016-03-09T15:34:46-05:00 SGT Justin Anderson 1367459 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Honestly, you could probably take a dump on the assignments and still pass meeting standards. If you're already in a leadership position, it's going to just be a fine tuning of your paper work skills. Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Mar 9 at 2016 4:05 PM 2016-03-09T16:05:03-05:00 2016-03-09T16:05:03-05:00 SGT Stuart Griffin 1367631 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It was PLDC for me. They focused heavily on leadership competency, making sure your soldiers succeed during your round as a squad leader or platoon leader. PT was next and then memorization of regs and etc. I would bet it hasn't changed much since I went through. Response by SGT Stuart Griffin made Mar 9 at 2016 5:10 PM 2016-03-09T17:10:19-05:00 2016-03-09T17:10:19-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 1367655 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Students struggle with land nav but other then that it's not a difficult school just pay attention and study up MAKE SURE YOU PULL THE PACKING LIST FROM WEBSITE OF THE BLC YOU WILL BE ATTENDING!!! Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 5:16 PM 2016-03-09T17:16:38-05:00 2016-03-09T17:16:38-05:00 SFC Kenneth Hunnell 1367750 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Use common sense and you will do just fine Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Mar 9 at 2016 5:55 PM 2016-03-09T17:55:54-05:00 2016-03-09T17:55:54-05:00 SSG Leo Bell 1367884 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You will be fine. You already know most of what they are going to teach you and things that you have done in the Army. Still pay attention and try to do your best. Brush up on your land navigation. Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 9 at 2016 6:36 PM 2016-03-09T18:36:20-05:00 2016-03-09T18:36:20-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1368206 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm at BLC now graduate tomorrow, the best way to prepare is to bring your military bearing. Conduct yourself like a NCO at all times, no complacency after/before class; SGL's (Small group leaders/instructors) are always watching. We march by the cadre billings on the way to DFAC and they have been in their building staring making sure we are doing the right thing, when 'noone' is looking..(because now we march ourselves).. integrity. We are being evaluated for our skills as future leaders in leadership positions. Demonstrate your bearing and the rest can be learned in class.<br />Try to prepare yourself by learning how to write a memorandum, award DA FORM 638, and Sworn statement. if you don't have verbal confidence, practice because you will have to conduct training on a warrior skill, and give a oral presentation.<br />Go there knowing the NCO creed/ army song / army creed / division song.<br />Know how to conduct PRT (per FM 7-22)<br /><br />Come with your uniforms serviceable and EVERYTHING on your packing list. to the T.<br />Come with your ASU's pressed, clean, and awards ON. Shoes polished and serviceable.<br />Boot cleaning kit comes in handy aswell.<br /><br />Let me know if you have any questions! <br /><br />4/10 difficulty Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:16 PM 2016-03-09T21:16:48-05:00 2016-03-09T21:16:48-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1368209 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I actually just graduated this morning. I had a small class but in my opinion it is an easy class as long as you exercise time management and put in some effort. Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:17 PM 2016-03-09T21:17:26-05:00 2016-03-09T21:17:26-05:00 1SG David Niles 1368436 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Participate and be in the game and you will do fine, lead were needed and follow/learn when it is time to do so. Have fun and go full tilt Response by 1SG David Niles made Mar 9 at 2016 10:31 PM 2016-03-09T22:31:44-05:00 2016-03-09T22:31:44-05:00 SSG Dan Willmont 1368690 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You, going as a Sergeant, should be just fine. Honestly, I would say the course would only really be difficult for brand new Specialists and Soldiers that just do not go to the field or lead Soldiers. Just don't go in cocky and you'll be good. Response by SSG Dan Willmont made Mar 10 at 2016 4:12 AM 2016-03-10T04:12:28-05:00 2016-03-10T04:12:28-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1368937 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>CTRL + F is all you need to know Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 8:59 AM 2016-03-10T08:59:15-05:00 2016-03-10T08:59:15-05:00 SSG John Caples 1369978 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Pay attention in class room and excel in APFT and you will be fine the rest is based upon your leadership abilities Response by SSG John Caples made Mar 10 at 2016 2:31 PM 2016-03-10T14:31:43-05:00 2016-03-10T14:31:43-05:00 SGT Dave Tracy 1372868 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>To add onto my earlier statement, not only do you need to be right with your PT, you need to be CORRECT with it as well. My soldier who is at BLC now, just let me know they are very strict on proper form, so if your form has been rather lax by Army standards, they will gig you for it, and potentially boot you from the school if you fail your PT test. Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 11 at 2016 2:38 PM 2016-03-11T14:38:41-05:00 2016-03-11T14:38:41-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1373396 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's really easy going. Mostly classroom work in a relaxed environment. Nothing is really pushed down on you, and for the most part get plenty of time. Yes, if you pay attention, you'll be perfectly okay. I'd put the difficulty of it at a 3 out of 10, and to make honor's it isn't that hard. Just don't do what I did and blow it on the last test! Haha. Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2016 6:57 PM 2016-03-11T18:57:38-05:00 2016-03-11T18:57:38-05:00 CSM Private RallyPoint Member 1398972 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The most difficult things you will have is APFT and map reading, if you are proficient in both you will have no problems. but keep in mind that there is much more than those two areas you will face. Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 2:42 PM 2016-03-23T14:42:08-04:00 2016-03-23T14:42:08-04:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1547175 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>BLC is not hard at all. I'm sure by now you've realized this. It is all paying attention and using the skills you carry with you and have learned in the military. You'll be fine, you'll do great. Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 9:20 PM 2016-05-20T21:20:59-04:00 2016-05-20T21:20:59-04:00 SPC Private RallyPoint Member 3323231 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Its easy except for warfighting exam you can write down and learn everything they teach you and still fail because you can&#39;t locate an answer in a 600pg pdf file Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2018 4:34 PM 2018-02-04T16:34:58-05:00 2018-02-04T16:34:58-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 4071787 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>same here Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 6:36 PM 2018-10-24T18:36:00-04:00 2018-10-24T18:36:00-04:00 SFC Kenneth Hunnell 5976429 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It&#39;s as hard as you make it Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jun 6 at 2020 12:20 PM 2020-06-06T12:20:02-04:00 2020-06-06T12:20:02-04:00 2016-03-09T10:21:40-05:00