Is there a regulation that states how many times can a soldier attempt to take BLC?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:35:52 -0500

Know a capable soldier who was having trouble at BLC only with PRT but was getting good academic scores. Is there anything that could help this soldier at another attempt.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2021 4:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:47:35 -0500

I don't know for sure the MILPER or ALARACT messages - but last I knew if someone got removed from a NCOES school for failing the PT test twice they had to wait six months and have a memo or 4187 from the first O6 in their command.

I have no idea what's been going on with covid. I know it was virtual for awhile last year. I thought no one was taking a PT test since the APFT doesn't count anymore and the ACFT isn't for record yet. I thought it was using the last APFT that was passing. Or are you saying they failed out on the PRT portion of BLC? I'm a little confused what they failed and got kicked out on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2021 4:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:56:54 -0500

There's no limit, but as SFC Private RallyPoint Member pointed out there is a steep burden to get another seat in any NCOES class that a Soldier fails, drops, or no-shows. I've seen people wait three years for another ALC class seat.

The limiting factor is RCP, you only have souvh time to get promoted before you get the boot. Of course, that only applies to Active Duty. Reserve Component Soldiers have until they're 60 to promote.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 29 at 2021 6:37 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 18:37:56 -0500

I would speculate it would up to your commander since the slots are based on his recommendations.

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Nov 29 at 2021 7:26 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 19:26:01 -0500

Personally, if a SM failed BLC because of a PT score, I would be hesitant to send that soldier back. The Bde CSM would have questions for the Battalion CSM, ho would be on the 1SGs a$$ about why he sent that soldier. I wouldnt send that soldier back untill he passed PT with a very good buffer of points.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2021 7:57 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 19:57:08 -0500

I agree but in this case it was the PRT exam in conducting PRT which not many actually conduct it perfectly.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2021 11:35 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:35:14 -0500

I can't think of one, but any 1SG and CSM would be hard pressed to want to re-send a Soldier to BLC (or any NCOA level) that failed out the first go-round. BLC isn't really that difficult. But, I have to ask: What about the PRT is the SM having issues with? Conducting the exercises? Remembering the commands and order in which to do them?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2021 1:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 13:49:47 -0500

This doesn't help the situation, but might help future readers.

I only have to add that it's my impression a status quo military career (non SF or non high speed specialized path) is a very low bar of hurdles we have to jump over. It's a box we all check to get through the next round of advancement.

What makes these things "hard" is the OPTEMPO they are conducted under. Once one box is checked then it's onto the next one. No time to waist. Go, Go, Go.............. So long as a box is "checked" then yesterday doesn't matter. Just focus on the box that needs checking next. Put all effort into that box and nothing else. The bar is so low getting a "GO" should be straight forward.

So what I think I can provide here is it sounds like the "conducting" PRT is the problem. I'm going to speculate it's "stage fright" that is impacting success.

It wasn't until I started grad school did I "figure it out". Only three people care about what is going on.
1) The person giving the presentation
2) The person grading the presentation
3) The person up next.

Everyone else doesn't care at all................

In regard to stage fright, it use to be said to think of the audience as naked. Well, think of conducting PT in front of a company of soldiers who don't care, are thinking about getting to the showers and breakfast, have finished their graded portion of PRT, are day dreaming, and are merely looking at the person next to them for cues for what to do next.

That's what's really going on.

In terms of what to think the instructor is thinking of you, well, all they care looking for is the presenter is going down the check list of things they are being graded on. A student who might be paying attention (going against the grain I just mentioned above) will make note of all the hot points the instructor harps on or has pet peeves over, and then adjusts fire before they are up.

So while an instructor might be giving a presenter a "hard time" so long as the box was checked there is nothing they can do about it. It's a GO or it's NOT, and the instructor doesn't decide what the standard is they only observe it or don't.

Example we have ALL EXPERIENCED!!!!!!!!!!!

Basic Training........... Why is it the END OF THE WORLD, and worthy of turning a locker upside down for a pair of socks that isn't perfectly aligned dress right dress???? Why, who cares............... I'm literally asking, why. Because it confounds me that level of enthusiasm for perfection never carries over to MARKSMANSHIP and all the Drill SGT's are on cloud nine if everyone just basically meets the minimum standard. They don't even care all that much about those who got 40/40 any more than someone that got 23 (yea I know, old standard). No one got recycled for a non dress right dress locker.

Just check the box. No one cares............... If an instructor is harping on someone they are just playing games to fluster them. The instructor has to observe or not observe the standard being met. They don't decide what that is. So the student either does or doesn't.

Outside of that I'll go back to my lane now.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Nov 30 at 2021 8:35 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 20:35:26 -0500

I am a bit dated and there is some solid advice already posted but I will add my opinion just for shits and giggles. In my day BLC was called PNCOCA and I retired when WLC was still a thing. I have advised my commanders on selection for NCOES approval as well as mentored a large number of Troops in becoming NCO's and yes I have recommended a few duds of the decades. A Soldiers first line leader and the NCO's in the chain should be grooming young Soldiers to becomes NCO's and mentoring them to fill the ranks as quality leaders. Sending Soldier to NCOES before they are ready and prepared is ill advised. In my day slots were used for the most prepared to do our best to send candidates that had a high success rate. Each unit has a limited number of slots for each class and they are carried against a budget. So for every Soldier that gets a 2nd or 3rd shot, its more than likely another Soldier won't get their first shot in a timely manner.

My strong advice is to train, prepare and give it your very best to be ready for going to BLC and graduating, determine any weak points and correct them. Seek help from the NCO support chain and gain a mentor who will drill you until BLC will seem like a short vacation. As a senior NCO if I had a Soldier that failed once then got another slot and failed again I would find it very hard to justify the investment of yet another slot at the cost to other young Soldiers that are ready and will graduate.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2021 5:00 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 05:00:34 -0500

What was he specifically having trouble with at PRT? Need to be more specific?! If it was doing PRT then that’s his own failure as a Soldier not going to a NCOES fit along with his Squad Leader all the way up to 1SG including CSM since they have to counsel them now personally on BLC! If it’s conducting it what’s the problem? Giving commands? Stage fright? Not remembering commands? The sequence of events? Etc?! More information and depth in questions will get you a lot further on here with Q&A! It also makes you a better Leader for the future just ask some of the BEST in my opinion that usually are the best I’ve seen and heard! SFC Private RallyPoint Member,SFC Private RallyPoint Member,SSG Private RallyPoint Member,1SG Dennis Hicks,SFC Ralph E Kelley,MSG Private RallyPoint Member,CPT Private RallyPoint Member these people who I’ve listed I’ve had numerous conversations with and they usually have a answer or sound advice because we read, research, and do our due diligence in our craft as Senior Leaders!

Response by SSG Brian L. made Dec 2 at 2021 1:43 PM

SSG Brian L. — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:43:53 -0500

Are you asking for a "friend?"

Response by SFC Bob Coon made Feb 11 at 2022 10:35 AM

SFC Bob Coon — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 10:35:51 -0500

Need more info on what it was with PRT I’m assuming you mean instructing it? Well in my day if a Soldier was struggling the SGL and the squad would give said Soldier remedial training until the problem was corrected or he or she was excused with a bad 1059 which meant a BAR was emplaced and most likely admin separated.