New changes to Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development System, thoughts?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:32:19 -0400

As of 1 OCT 2015, Warrior Leaders Course (WLC) becomes Basic Leader Course (BLC) and an E8 Master Leader Course (MLC) begins a pilot program in advance of being implemented force wide NLT 1 OCT 2017 to fill a gap between SLC and SMC. Once implemented, MLC will have both resident and non-resident versions.

Additionally, Final Rankings (ie. 10th out of 25) at NCOES schools will be established to quantify performance among classmates.

As an added bonus, TRADOC is tasked with developing a tool (Digital Tool Box) that allows leaders to track Soldier training and individual task completion.

This went out Army wide approved from the Chief of Staff on 16 JUL 2015.

Response by CSM Jennifer Dehorty made Jul 21 at 2015 5:50 PM

CSM Jennifer Dehorty — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:50:10 -0400

Some of this appears as just 're-packaging' previously tried versions.

I do like the rankings if it is applied appropiately. That needs to be objective and not subjective.

There is a gap at the senior level. Hopefully this will fill that and not just be a check the block

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 5:56 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:56:39 -0400

I've been tracking this and am glad to see it is almost upon us.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jul 21 at 2015 6:00 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 18:00:13 -0400

My question is how much of a hand did or does Dr. Aubrey Butts have in these changes?

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jul 21 at 2015 6:03 PM

CSM David Heidke — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 18:03:42 -0400

It is good to see an E8 course. I like that.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 7:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 19:25:22 -0400

MSG- I think the MLC concept s a whole is good. I am concerned it will (and possibly should?) just be a mish-mash of the old 1SG Course and the Battle Staff Course. I thought it was odd that once I completed SLC that that was it for formal instruction (minus SSD4) until I was selected for SMC. (If I get that lucky.)
I love the idea to do a Final Ranking. I am concerned how promotion boards may use that unfairly or as a targeting system in future as not all classes are created equal. There could easily be (most notably in reserve component schools) classes of superstars and classes of duds. All are peers and should be roughly on the same level, however I have seen classes of the same course in where I would have struggled to make it to the 50th percentile and others where I could have easily been in contention for Honor Grad. Most likely it will be a little more even for the Active side of the house but I see that as something that could be used for unintended consequences in the future.
I like the Digital Tool Box idea. Pulling reports from AFAM and DPRO is OK but often more detail is required to really push M-Day Soldiers to get DL courses complete.
I look forward to seeing how the new NCOES format works in practice.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 8:19 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:19:37 -0400

It's all find and dandy as long as the curriculum is relevant to what today's and tomorrow's future NCO's need to be successful and value added in the future.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 21 at 2015 9:16 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 21:16:57 -0400

Education is never wrong as long as it has a goal and focus. I wonder how the SLC relates to SNCOC? Anyone here old enough to remember SNCOC?

Response by MSG(P) Rafael Aguilera made Jul 23 at 2015 4:27 PM

MSG(P) Rafael Aguilera — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:27:39 -0400

There is a tremendous gap in professional development since they removed the 1SG course. I am happy to see that the Army is bringing something else to the fight. I am not a fan of the DL; however, I understand that it is cheaper than placing ARNG Soldiers on orders and paying for flights and lodging. I will get what I can take.

Response by 1SG Lamont Chaney made Jul 23 at 2015 8:01 PM

1SG Lamont Chaney — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:01:29 -0400

Too long in coming. The only courses avail if not a Mos or specialty was 1SG course.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 2:22 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:22:47 -0400

Just a few of my thoughts, though I reserve most thoughts until I see what the final course looks like.

1. NCOES Ranking- I love this idea. I think this will have two very important effects. First it will help identify those who were on the cusp of making Commandant's List and those who just sat in the back and squeaked though the course. The second effect is that it forces NCOs to attend their level of NCOES and truly put forth maximum effort. Because of effect one and two, there will be healthy competition to achieve superior results. Competition breeds excellence.

2. Digital Tool Box- I look forward to see the final product. We invest substantial time and resources into developing systems for the Army. I like that we're getting after solutions to help the guys/gals that run the Army.

3. Master Leader Course- I want to reserve judgment until I see the POI. What I don't want to see happen is a fill-the-gap, haphazardly put together, rehash of SLC and CCFSPCC. From the HQDA EXORD, I think the course will be beneficial, I like the focus areas, particularly: Organizational Leadership, Operating in a JIIM Environment, Professional Writing/Speaking.

4. Timeline- I wonder where in our timeline we're going to attend MLC, as this wasn't addressed in the EXORD. Personally, I'd like to see us attend prior to placement into a Branch Qualifying position - much like a Major attends CGSC prior to completing his KD time.

Other Thoughts: I think this is a nice first step in revamping/improving NCOES. However, I think it fails to address my biggest concern with the current NCOPDS - SLC. Platoon Sergeants have a wealth of experiential knowledge but lack the doctrinal smarts to effectively communicate with Commanders at all levels (just a thought from my foxhole). I'd like to see a branch's SLC pair of with it's Captain's Career Course for some classes/joint instruction. For example, as an Infantryman, take SFCs attending M-SLC and pair them for a few weeks at MCCC. You'd have a product, on both sides (officer and NCO) that leave their branch qualifying courses 'speaking the same language'.

Response by MSG James Douglas made Dec 2 at 2015 4:04 PM

MSG James Douglas — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:04:27 -0500

I really would like to attend the MLC but I'm due to retire in less that 12 months.