Who thinks we should bring back the First Sergeant Course?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:05:29 -0400

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 23 at 2015 12:15 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:15:23 -0400

Why in the world would that have gone away to begin with?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 23 at 2015 12:19 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:19:09 -0400

What did the old 1SG course involve? Would be curious to know!

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 23 at 2015 12:22 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:22:33 -0400

Obviously, as a SGT, I don't know the curriculum of the 1SG course, but I would assume that there's a lot to know as a 1SG that you wouldn't automatically pick up as a PSG....it seems to me like that would be a course with value, so my answer defaults to "Yes".

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made May 23 at 2015 12:38 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:38:47 -0400

No. I am sure the material is important and should be added to the last required formal education an NCO receives before pinning E7 and higher. Reason I say do not bring a course back and add the material is cost. Each time we send people to class it costs money, much more than adding a week into a class we have already bought round trip travel to. Sending people to courses only to send to another similar coarse a couple years later adds significant cost. Add the material is my answer.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 12:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 12:48:18 -0400

Yes, but they need to add to it by covering caring for your Soldiers administratively, not just training and equipment (that is what the course at Riley covers). Like the importance of company awards/evals/actions policies, and what kind of situations call for what kind of paperwork. I see a lot of 1SGs who are great at training and equipment, that really struggle with taking care of Soldier paperwork. It's not the most fun part of company leadership, but it is one of the most important parts, and can have one of the biggest effects on morale and welfare when done well or poorly/

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 1:14 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 13:14:44 -0400

To my understanding a plan is in the works to re-introduce a 1SG type PME course for all aspiring MSG's between SLC and the Sergeants Major Academy. I taught the field level maintenance portion of the 1SG's and CDR's course at Fort Eustis. I felt that the course was very efficient and necessary especially if the curriculum organized and based off of today's Army leadership principles and today's Soldiers.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 23 at 2015 1:16 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 23 May 2015 13:16:06 -0400

The Army will be establishing the Master Leader Course (MLC) shortly...providing an NCOES-level course for SFC(P)s through 1SG.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 23 at 2015 2:30 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:30:11 -0400

Nope. I think they need to lengthen SLC and teach all the material then. No such thing as useless knowledge after all.

Response by 1LT Kathleen Heisler made May 23 at 2015 3:20 PM

1LT Kathleen Heisler — Sat, 23 May 2015 15:20:26 -0400

When did they stop having the course and why. A lot of people liked and needed the school

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made May 23 at 2015 4:07 PM

1SG Brian Adams — Sat, 23 May 2015 16:07:40 -0400

Your kidding me? When did they stop this vital course? Absolutely they need to bring this back....

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 23 at 2015 4:15 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 23 May 2015 16:15:44 -0400

In my opinion, taking away the First Sergeant Course is another way take a punch at the Noncommissioned Officer Corps. Who makes these decisions? Every potential 1SG could improve unless they are perfect.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 5:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 17:31:50 -0400

Most definitely, and mandatory for SFC (P) and MSG prior to being eligible to take a 1sg position. SLC just does not do enough for preparing for the demands of a 1sg. This would help bring a consistent baseline among all 1sg's throughout the Army

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 10:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 22:07:46 -0400

What we don't need us another course filled with information taught at the previous two levels of NCOES/SSD.

I'm not sure what the courseware looks like, but here's to hoping its staff-centric. Most folks do not need a class to be a First Sergeant. They are either leaders at this point, or they're not. And frankly the CCFS PCC does a good job of filling knowledge gaps.

Where the NCO Corps lacks is its ability to communicate with our counterparts - think if we sent MSGs/SGMs to an ILE-like course or SAMS. Sort of like a Battle Staff on steroids. And every E8 had to attend. Or if we invested in civilian educational opportunities like the many GRADSO or fellowship programs that exist for our counterparts.

Man we'd really be unstoppable.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made May 24 at 2015 5:38 AM

1SG Eric Rice — Sun, 24 May 2015 05:38:28 -0400

It is already coming back and retitled the Master Leaders Course (MLC) and will begin a pilot program this fall I believe. This will fall in line with the promotion system changing as well due to the process changing to one similar to SGM promotions. It will be select, train, and promote from what I have been told.

Response by SSG Adam Wyatt made May 24 at 2015 11:48 AM

SSG Adam Wyatt — Sun, 24 May 2015 11:48:42 -0400

Didn't know they had done away with it in the first place. Have to cut the budget somewhere to keep giving people around the world free shit.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made May 24 at 2015 6:36 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Sun, 24 May 2015 18:36:26 -0400

Yes please bring back the 1SG course

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 9:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 21:01:41 -0400

I think so, because clearly, there is a lack of discipline these days with 1SG..

Response by CW3 Stephen Mantie made May 25 at 2015 12:29 AM

CW3 Stephen Mantie — Mon, 25 May 2015 00:29:59 -0400

If they actually make the POI relevant to my MOS (91 series) in ALC and SLC instead of a general overview, I would agree that the 1SG course needs to come back.....By the time a 91 series makes E5P they should have mastered troubleshooting so ALC should cover shop operations (SAMS reports like 006 print, 004 print, service schedules, nmc report) and parts tracking. SLC should cover 026 prints, AMSS reports and BN and BDE level and more parts tracking also GCSSA....

Response by SFC Jason Hodge made May 25 at 2015 6:22 PM

SFC Jason Hodge — Mon, 25 May 2015 18:22:36 -0400

I think its important to bring back.

Response by SFC Matthew Libby made May 25 at 2015 8:26 PM

SFC Matthew Libby — Mon, 25 May 2015 20:26:58 -0400

I hope they bring it back. I never had the opportunity to attend, but I would have benefited from it. While I was in, the Army was notorious for sending me to school late. I was already a SGT @ PLDC a SSG @ BNCOC and I was promoted to SFC while attending ANCOC.

Response by SGM Reginald Thompson made Apr 2 at 2016 6:07 PM

SGM Reginald Thompson — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 18:07:11 -0400

As an Ole school 1SG, and now retiree. I was lucky enough to have been able to attend the course in Germany with my incoming Commander as well as at Fort Bliss, TX. The best part about the two courses, was being able to build that networking with other 1SG's around the world and locally in Germany. I was also disappointed when I heard that they discontinued it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 1:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:22:28 -0400

I was lucky also to attend the 1SG Course, it help me to be a better leader, i attended the last course in Wisconsin, but talking with a current NCO he mention that the 1SG course is coming back, it will help those new young leaders that needs.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Apr 14 at 2016 12:19 PM

1SG Brian Adams — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 12:19:19 -0400

Absolutely they should! The First Sergeant is a vitally important rank and position. The Army needs to invest its time and resources to accomodate this course. I am surprised to find out that they discontinued this.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 8:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 20:58:35 -0500

FIRST SERGEANT RETIRED ALAN KIRBY . i WENT TO THE US ARMY FISRT SERGEANT COURSE IN 1991. DID 3 TOURS ON THE HOT SEAT, iF IT WAS NOT FOR THE FIRST SERGEANT COURSE . THE SOLDER WOULD HAVE NOT HAD THE LEADERSHIP THEY NEEDED EVEN THE nco WOULD NOT HAVE THE NEW REG,S TO GO BUY . hELL YES BRING BACK THE FIRST SERGEANT COURSE . THE FIRST SERGENTS JOB IS THE HARDEST JOB THE ARMY CAN THROUH AT YOU yOA