What advice or experiences would you like to share for an 88M attending ALC at Fort Lee, VA?

2018-06-18T12:36:25-04:00

Asking for advice or experiences??

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 18 at 2018 12:39 PM

2018-06-18T12:39:43-04:00

Never had the honor of doing ALC at Ft. Lee, did my Phase II 92Y classes there. Nice post.

Response by SFC Dagmar Riley made Jun 18 at 2018 1:59 PM

2018-06-18T13:59:20-04:00

Sorry but never attended ALC at Ft Lee; I switched to 88N and had ALC at Ft Eustis and believe 88M did there’s in the same area back then. Any service school I ever attended were pretty easy for me, as I always followed instructions well and brought everything that was required; if you don’t have an updated list call the school and ask them to fax you one. Know your basic leadership skills like your Drill and Ceremony, APFT, make sure to bring copy of permanent profile if you have any. Know all the basics of your MOS; it’s been a few years (18) but I think FM 55-30 covered most of it. Concentrate mainly on the Leadership portion of that area but know your basics as well. If I remember correctly we also had some questions on First Aid, NBC and Commo. Make sure you can pass your APFT because that was something that was always required to graduate even if you just had one at your unit. Go there with a great attitude, eager to learn, take good notes and stay away from the partying some like to do on the weekend and you should be a shining star come graduation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-06-18T14:12:33-04:00

Anything in particular you are wanting to know? I'm an instructor at Fort Lee, and although I am an AIT instructor I have taught ALC at the Academy. I am a 92M so even thgough I can't really tell you what to expect at your 88M school house I can help with the overall ALU environment.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 2:24 PM

2018-06-18T14:24:39-04:00

Can't speculate on the 88M, ALC TRAINING specifically . Just show up in shape with a great attitude, study your academics as much as possible. Volunteer for leadership positions if they have them (Class Leader, Academic/Notes POC, etc.) and just be willing to work with your class to make the best group instruction possible. Make sure you have all your Orders/DTS travel approved for the school in advance.

But, I have been to Ft. Lee and stayed at the Logistics University there for some courses. If you don't stay at the NCO Academy (not sure if they have accommodations there) - You will be assigned to the IHG Army Hotel on post (this is the largest Holiday Inn Express-like hotel in the Army). Pretty decent accommodations. The only issue with the school there- is there is no mess hall (home of the Army Culinary School- go figure). All personnel attending school receive per diem, it can be tough to get back and forth from meals to school- so just grab snacks there- or there's an Einstein Bagel Shop & Subway there on campus.

Make sure you sign up for the IHG Rewards Program, it's free to join & you'll get points for staying at the Army Hotel there.

Always call the IHG Rewards Program: PH. [login to see] and ask to be signed up for the Accelerate promotion (or whatever promotion is going on at the time). You can stay for as little as 5 nights only between 1 May to 31 Jul 2018 & earn up to 43,000 bonus points. Download the IHG Rewards Program App to track your progress & books rooms. IHG rewards is the #1 rewards program for hotels IMO.

Good Luck in your course!!

Response by SFC Nelson L. Friday-González made Jun 18 at 2018 6:52 PM

2018-06-18T18:52:18-04:00

Be mentally and physically fit, be on time and at the right place, take notes and ask questions no matter how dumb they might seem. Practice all you have learned until it becomes a habit. And most importantly cover your Six.

Response by CPT Ronald Scherick made Jun 18 at 2018 9:30 PM

2018-06-18T21:30:20-04:00

I would love to help but I was there in 72 to 74 all I can say is it was like a country club then.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2018 5:48 AM

2018-06-20T05:48:14-04:00

I am currently at Fort Lee best advice I have is don’t forget standards and discipline as an NCO. When you get to the NCOA you will be amazed at how some NCOs forget they are NCOs and set yourself apart from your peers.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2018 7:43 AM

2018-06-21T07:43:21-04:00

I have an associate 20 min away who trains horses for a living. If you`re interested in riding.
Admittedly she would likely charge you some seeing as that`s how she makes her money. But it`s pretty cheap

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2018 9:38 AM

2018-06-30T09:38:18-04:00

Don’t worry it’s more fun driving the trucks then ya think

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jul 6 at 2018 11:37 AM

2018-07-06T11:37:24-04:00

SGT Haney,
I can't really speak for 88M, I was a 25V, and I went through ALC back when it was still BNCOC. The course is pretty much targeted or focus on leadership and technical skills that you probably already have, and to prepare you for the next step, meaning to take over Squad Leader's roles in a platoon.
Now, I don't know how big the classes are for 88Ms so, I'm almost positive they are fairly big, I don't know. As a 25V, our classes were from 8 to 12 personnel, once a year. I say this because you will be competing with other NCOs in your class, for example, Honor Grad, Distinguished Leadership Award which is vote based among the students, meaning each student takes a vote on who they think deserves the award, etc...at least that's how we did it when I went through ALC and SLC. Don't shy away from leadership positions, just accept them when the opportunity comes. You could have a horrible time doing so, but as long you learned from it, you'll be fine. Take those learning experiences back to your home station/unit. Be in shape and within regs when you show up because the APFT is the first order of business. Other than that, is like going to college, but a little bit quicker and more structured. Good luck SGT Haney!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 4:21 AM

2018-08-11T04:21:01-04:00

Act like a white phase private. You know enough to get by but not enough to feel like a know it all

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 15 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-08-15T17:07:34-04:00

Brace yourself. It'll be like drinking from a firehose. You'd be amazed at the advancements made in seatbelt and steering wheel technology made in recent years, and you are at the forefront of that technological revolution!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 8:39 AM

2018-08-22T08:39:28-04:00

Take leadership roles, engage class when u are teaching courses and speak up if something is wrong, whether it’s student issue or instructor issue

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-10-08T12:41:28-04:00

Take any leadership role, of you see something say something
I went to Fort Knox and saw an instructor drinking on duty, and others tried to get me to keep quiet because they liked him