What are the best tools to get ready for WLC?

Listen to your SGL when I went through many moons ago in a course called PLDC my SGL said "I don't care how many times you have done LandNav on my course, if you do not listen to me you will fail." Guess what one of the infantry guys in my class blew off the SGL and guess what he failed not only did he fail but it took him out of Honor Grad contention. The point I want to make listen to your SLG, don't be overconfident, trust yourself, and finally pay attention to details.

Since you have time ask your training NCO to get you out on a LandNav course in the state. Ask others around you to get you ready. Good luck.

Never had WLC when I was active, but did have NCO schools and other advanced infantry schools. Some people can try and try and just not do well on Land Nav courses. Have you thought about a non warrior MOS.

Make sure you have an up to date packing list. Tripple check to make sure you have everything. Expect to score lower than usual on the pt test. Stay hydrated and remember caffeine in your friend. You will be lucky to get 5-6 hours sleep every night. Also make sure you get someone from your unit to sponser you. That way they can bring you whatever you forget or need. Good luck. "Train to Lead!"

SGT Jennifer Pratt, I attended the PLDC class in 1988 and I didn't know anything about land navigation at that time. I paid very close attention in class and when it came to the course I was the second person to complete the course. With today's technology there should be some internet page somewhere that can give you a review of it. I heard all the horror stories before I went in but I was confident in myself and knock it out the park. I made the Commandants list for the course. Good Luck.

When I went thru, it was still called PLDC. As others already stated, be ready for PT. My unit gave me a PT test before they sent me and made sure I was well within the standard.

Remember that much of what you are being evaluated on is how well you perform as a leader. This involves communication. Each member of the small group is the leader for a day. Once during a garrison environment, once in the field. So be ready to march everyone to and from classes, chow, etc. Be ready to give op orders and brief your teams. Make sure they can back brief you to check that they understand. Be ready to lead PT.

Practice drill and ceremony, there is a test on that. It's not difficult but some people get nervous. Don't be afraid to take charge.

There is a good bit of classroom time on land nav. Pay attention. Brush up on it before you go. Practice your pace count and shooting azimuths. Make sure you can measure distance on a map. Take your time and don't rush it.

Have fun there. I met some really good people and learned a lot. One of the best courses I ever took. The SGL's are there to help you, learn from them. They want you to succeed.

I taught PLDC back in the early 90's, and the biggest reason people were booted from the course was failure to pass the APFT.

But, if you are interested in increasing your land navigation, I recommend you fire up the Internet and search for ORIENTEERING near you. Orienteering is a sport which combines cross country running with map reading. It's common at universities, especially those with and ROTC program. Nearly all O-meets have a training session for newbies about 1 hour before the course opens. It's a great way to build your confidence in your map reading and land navigation skills.

Map reading is a skill its one you lose if you dont practice. The main thing is that if your electronics fail you ...you dont fail the mission. Practice finding the grid coordinates first then practice your distance both road and straight line. Then get your pace and range it use your normal walk if you dont it throws off your steps.

If you know where you will be attending determine the type of terrain you'll be doing land nav on. For relatively flat or gently rolling terrain get a good accurate pace count. That, combined with a good plot and accurate azimuth, are key. If the course is very hilly or mountainous terrain association is the way to go. Either way, some practice and assistance from an NCO in your unit will be incredibly helpful.

Unless WLC has changed, all I really got out of it was poor time management and double standards.

SGT Pratt,

I've just skimmed the previous half-dozen responses and they each offer sound advice. Increase your knowledge before you go, listen to the SGL's, ask questions, use available tools, etc. My additional advice is to not let your self doubts defeat you. Worrying adds nothing valuable to the equation. As we like to say -- there's nothing to it but to do it. When I attended WLC there were some in the class who were certain they would fail, but excelled because they applied the lessons that they learned and applied the basic fundamentals. As a side note, don't get over confident. The one infantryman in our group who felt he was an expert did things his way and failed miserably, 0 for 5. The point of mentioning this should support everyone's advice about listening to the SGL's and paying attention to their training. They are there to teach and help you succeed. Hope this helps.