Posted on Feb 9, 2016
What helped you achieve Commandant's List/DHG from your NCOES?
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I want to continue exceling in my Army career and I am beginning the preparations from SPC to SGT and would love to hear what you have to say that helped you get there!
Warrior Leader Course
Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC)
Advanced Leaders Course (ALC formerly BNCOC) Phase 2
Senior Leaders Course (SLC formerly ANCOC)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 18
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On top of doing well academically, make sure you remain a member of the team. All to often NCOs will dime each other out or stab someone in the back to get the top spot. In the end they get the 1059 they wanted but sacrificed a network of peers that could have benefited them throughout their career. You'll understand when you get there. There is always one in each class.
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SFC Kenneth Hunnell
Did I miss something, this thread is about leadership. Diming one out is not a leadership quality. Helping your peers out makes you a better leader.
Passing a written test with outstanding grades does not make you a leader.
A leader is able to convey what they have learned to others.
Those that think they need to drop the dime, should collect those dimes and get a education.
Passing a written test with outstanding grades does not make you a leader.
A leader is able to convey what they have learned to others.
Those that think they need to drop the dime, should collect those dimes and get a education.
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1SG (Join to see)
You're absolutely right telling on, diming out, or selling out your peers is not a leadership quality. It's a sign of individualism. Not sure if you missed something or not. However, I am sure the majority of NCOs who have completed ALC, SLC can relate too my statement that there is always one in each class. Unfortunately, many NCOES courses use written test to convey what they have learned to the SGLs.
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I achieved Commandant's List in PLDC, BNCOC, and ANCOC. I think that what helped me was being in the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform, and being motivated. I know that sounds cliché, but you may be surprised at how many out there who cannot consistently accomplish all four of those tasks. I also studied when I had time to ensure that I knew the material. Good luck!!!
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1SG Steven Stankovich
SGT Sean Wike, we had small groups or squads and we took the time that we had to study together or practice D&C (in PLDC) to ensure we were good to go.
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I was USMC but I attended BNCOC, as well as several USMC schools. I Always did well. One thing to remember is that you should never go into a school with the mindset you are competing against the other students. You are there to learn and better yourself. You want to do better than the guy you were yesterday. Some of the things I always attending schools was to .
1. Go to the course prepared, with all the gear on the gear list
2. Allow no distractions. I went as far as staying overnight in school billeting rather than going home every night.
3 Making study cards and being a part of study groups.
4. Be a team player with other students, help others study and prepare for inspections. By helping them you are also reenforcing your own knowledge.
5. Time Management. Set aside time for studying, uniform prep, Etc. Don't be the guy rushing to get a haircut at the last minute, putting ribbons on a uniform or studying 5 minutes beforte a test.
1. Go to the course prepared, with all the gear on the gear list
2. Allow no distractions. I went as far as staying overnight in school billeting rather than going home every night.
3 Making study cards and being a part of study groups.
4. Be a team player with other students, help others study and prepare for inspections. By helping them you are also reenforcing your own knowledge.
5. Time Management. Set aside time for studying, uniform prep, Etc. Don't be the guy rushing to get a haircut at the last minute, putting ribbons on a uniform or studying 5 minutes beforte a test.
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I recently just finished WLC at Fort Dix, NJ last year and I can say this, do study! Along with studying, you want to network with as much people as possible. Get to know your platoon and study with them. The SGLs gave our student PLT Sergeants a key to the classroom. We were allowed to stay as late as we wanted to get homework done, study and practice.
If you don't get classroom access after hours then get together with your PLT and go over what was presented that day in the barracks.
One thing I do suggest you get down right away is the NCO Creed.
If you don't get classroom access after hours then get together with your PLT and go over what was presented that day in the barracks.
One thing I do suggest you get down right away is the NCO Creed.
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SPC (Join to see)
I'm going in April at Dix. I've been told to study, study, study some more and get PT ready. Also, having ASU's helps massively.
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SGT Jacob Yuhas
SPC (Join to see) - Bring your ASUs and make sure they are up to date in terms of awards and rank. If you get selected as the DTG you will be wearing it when you get interviewed. You will take a full class on how to measure your awards, unit crests etc.. while you are there. I never got a formal class on how to prep my ASUs in IET so it was awesome to finally sit down with someone and get proper instruction.
As for PT, yes. Get ready. Your PT score will be converted to a GPA scale of 1-100. I scored a 260 or something and got a 89% I believe. It was enough to make commandants list with the rest of my test scores.
As for studying, if you pay attention in class there will be a lot less studying for you to do during your off-time. Your day begins at 0430 and ends at 1700 so there is plenty of time for you to study. You will get a lot of handouts and have full access to the slides, pdfs and other documentation on the school laptops so there is little need to take notes during lectures, unless you prefer to do so.
Also note: Not all tests are academic. You will have Land Nav and how you do as a squad leader out in the sticks. The SGLs will ensure you have a lot of time to get practice on tactical movements and land navigation. You spend the whole third week doing so.
A lot of people freak out at land nav but there will be a day of maps/azimuths in class, a day of practice and a day of testing. The lecture will take half a day along with plotting points and using a protractor. Practicing will be done with your SGL and a group in the morning. Then later in the day they will send you off in teams of 2-3. On testing day you are on your own. You must find 3 points, but your last one will be relatively near the start point. We got lucky and had the test day cancelled due to snow.
As for PT, yes. Get ready. Your PT score will be converted to a GPA scale of 1-100. I scored a 260 or something and got a 89% I believe. It was enough to make commandants list with the rest of my test scores.
As for studying, if you pay attention in class there will be a lot less studying for you to do during your off-time. Your day begins at 0430 and ends at 1700 so there is plenty of time for you to study. You will get a lot of handouts and have full access to the slides, pdfs and other documentation on the school laptops so there is little need to take notes during lectures, unless you prefer to do so.
Also note: Not all tests are academic. You will have Land Nav and how you do as a squad leader out in the sticks. The SGLs will ensure you have a lot of time to get practice on tactical movements and land navigation. You spend the whole third week doing so.
A lot of people freak out at land nav but there will be a day of maps/azimuths in class, a day of practice and a day of testing. The lecture will take half a day along with plotting points and using a protractor. Practicing will be done with your SGL and a group in the morning. Then later in the day they will send you off in teams of 2-3. On testing day you are on your own. You must find 3 points, but your last one will be relatively near the start point. We got lucky and had the test day cancelled due to snow.
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Be the best NCO you can be. Everyone is a leader or a leader in training. The most important thing about being a GOOD NCO, is the ability to pass your knowledge on to your soldiers. It does the Army no good if you know everything but cant teach it to others.
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SGT(P) (Join to see) honestly.... Just doing my best, participating in class, trying to help my team mates, and not trying get the #1 slot over my integrity.
BTW i was Cmdts list in PLDC, HG in 11B BNCOC, DMG IN 88N BNCOC, cmdts list in BSNCOC, DMG 88N ANCOC, HG FSC. With those bonafidas.... Id argue that i know what im talking about.
BTW i was Cmdts list in PLDC, HG in 11B BNCOC, DMG IN 88N BNCOC, cmdts list in BSNCOC, DMG 88N ANCOC, HG FSC. With those bonafidas.... Id argue that i know what im talking about.
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I ensured that I was prepared before attending these courses. Once you get there show up on time in uniform and participate as a member of the team. Knowing the knowledge before hand makes taking the tests that much easier. I am currently serving as the Senior SGL for ALC myself and these are the things my instructors and I look for. Just food for thought...
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FOCUS.
You are there for one reason, and one reason only. To learn.
There are a lot of distractions at an NCOES course. Stay away.
Eye on the prize.
Study. Practice. Lead by example. Support your fellow students.
Trust me, the SGLs know who is who.
You are there for one reason, and one reason only. To learn.
There are a lot of distractions at an NCOES course. Stay away.
Eye on the prize.
Study. Practice. Lead by example. Support your fellow students.
Trust me, the SGLs know who is who.
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I got t distinguish leadership. I thought honor grad was better but I was set straight by my NCOs. They explained to me that distinguish honor grad got the best grades, but distinguish leadership not only had good grades but it's also someone that their peers recognized had leadership skills and that's why it got more recognition and stuff. In BLC in Ft. Bliss your platoon selects an individual and that person had to compete against the other individual selected in the other platoons in a board. The winner becomes student 1SG for the remaining portion of BLC and gets distinguish leadership providing they don't mess up or get any counseling. Try your best to get DL. I suggest you to study for a board, practice, to help around the class room, volunteer, and show your leadership skills. Double and triple check your packing list, ppl got counselings even for PLC. Overall try your best to learn and take as much as you can from it. Is a lot of useful information. Good luck!
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I went to phase 2 of ALC for Supply Specialist. Prior to the course I had never worked on PBUSE a day in my life. I was the Distinguished Honor Grad on this course that PBUSE was 90% the covered material.
I recommend paying attention, identify your weaknesses and study more after hours to ensure success. Remember, you are at the school for training and not socializing.
I recommend paying attention, identify your weaknesses and study more after hours to ensure success. Remember, you are at the school for training and not socializing.
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