Posted on Jan 24, 2021
What guidance or advice would you give to someone being barred and separated for not attending BLC?
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Hello Everyone,
I'm SPC a Specialist one month short of hitting my 4-year mark. As the title indicates, I'm currently looking at being barred for denying to go to BLC. I have expressed to my command in the past the I don't have the desire to get promoted before I get out in March of 2022. They keep telling me they see my potential ( for this, I'm greatful) but I still don't want the responsibility that comes with being an NCO.
This is not the first time a bar has been in discussion; I was looking at one when I denied going to the promotion board once I hit my primary zone. I eventually decided to go because it was virtual and therefore not as nerve-racking. Even when I went to the board, I tactfully expressed that I didn't want to be promoted but, shortly after I got my P status. I thought after passing the board my command would let me be but that wasn't the case.
Roughly 4 months back I got selected to go to BLC, which I denied. They were going to bar me then but couldn't because I was already on a temporary profile because behavioral health was switching my medication. This bought me some time, but now that I'm "in the clear" I guess you can say.
If I'm being honest, I keep denying BLC because I have terrible anxiety and the thought of going makes it worse. I'm good at my job, I don't get in trouble, and I've always been good at PT. The only roadblock I have is this BLC.
I joined the Army for one reason: The GI Bill. I'm afraid that after the second 3-month review of my bar, my command will chapter me and I lose my GI Bill. Again, March 2022 is my ETS date and I really want to serve honorably till then. After all, that's what I signed up for.
Can someone tell me how realistic it is for me to still get honorable if I am, unfortunately, separated a few months early? Also, why does the Army have RCPs if it plans on separating a 2yr Specialist who doesn't go to BLC?
My commander and MSG say I'm forcing their hand because they "don't want to" bar me. I believe them but, I also know there are gray areas for most cases. Can someone give me so guidance and share their knowledge/experiences?
I'd appreciate it.
I'm SPC a Specialist one month short of hitting my 4-year mark. As the title indicates, I'm currently looking at being barred for denying to go to BLC. I have expressed to my command in the past the I don't have the desire to get promoted before I get out in March of 2022. They keep telling me they see my potential ( for this, I'm greatful) but I still don't want the responsibility that comes with being an NCO.
This is not the first time a bar has been in discussion; I was looking at one when I denied going to the promotion board once I hit my primary zone. I eventually decided to go because it was virtual and therefore not as nerve-racking. Even when I went to the board, I tactfully expressed that I didn't want to be promoted but, shortly after I got my P status. I thought after passing the board my command would let me be but that wasn't the case.
Roughly 4 months back I got selected to go to BLC, which I denied. They were going to bar me then but couldn't because I was already on a temporary profile because behavioral health was switching my medication. This bought me some time, but now that I'm "in the clear" I guess you can say.
If I'm being honest, I keep denying BLC because I have terrible anxiety and the thought of going makes it worse. I'm good at my job, I don't get in trouble, and I've always been good at PT. The only roadblock I have is this BLC.
I joined the Army for one reason: The GI Bill. I'm afraid that after the second 3-month review of my bar, my command will chapter me and I lose my GI Bill. Again, March 2022 is my ETS date and I really want to serve honorably till then. After all, that's what I signed up for.
Can someone tell me how realistic it is for me to still get honorable if I am, unfortunately, separated a few months early? Also, why does the Army have RCPs if it plans on separating a 2yr Specialist who doesn't go to BLC?
My commander and MSG say I'm forcing their hand because they "don't want to" bar me. I believe them but, I also know there are gray areas for most cases. Can someone give me so guidance and share their knowledge/experiences?
I'd appreciate it.
Posted in these groups: 
Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC)
Specialist
Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC) Specialist
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 16
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You dont have a choice, it's stated in regulation. If you deny promotion or NCOPDS you will be barred from continued service. Welcome to up or out.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
We place a Bar on someone for not wanting to get promoted? So we now tell them they can't get an end of service award, or any other award? What type of Army are we creating when we tell someone who just wants to do their contract and get out? This IMHO is an asinine system.
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MSG (Join to see)
CW3 Kevin Storm not disagreeing with you. I think TIMS is a direct result of the "up or out" policy. Take a Soldier that either doesn't have the motivation or skill to be a leader but make him a leader anyway and you end up with shitty leaders that don't know how to do their job.
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SGT Randall Smith
I think the worse thing you can do to the troops is place an NCO over them who does not want to be a SGT or does not care about what he does. This is not what the basic troop needs to see. Leave him a Spc. and get rid of him then.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT Randall Smith I completely agree. I think TIMS is a direct result of promoting a shitty Soldier and trying to make them a shitty NCO. Shitty NCOs make me super angry.
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Going to BLC doesn't mean you will get promoted.
Go to the course. It can't work any way but to your benefit.
Go to the course. It can't work any way but to your benefit.
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I can't recall the type of discharge for failing to remove a bar. I do want to say it is Honorable but then they only have to initiate the separation. You are quickly becoming an issue due to your failure to adapt to the military. You may not like it but you can't just stay a Specialist. It can be toxic for a unit. We all have to promote or make way for the next guy that wants to promote. You are literally shooting yourself in the foot and then complaining about. I understand you only want the GI Bill. I enlisted for the same. I am not sure what your oath was but did your oath say anything about serving on your own terms? If it didn't you have to comply with the Army. Part of getting your GI Bill is serving honorably. To me your behavior is questionable. You may find yourself on the losing end of this and you would only have yourself to blame.
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