WLC: What to expect?

2014-03-23T17:18:00-04:00

How important WLC really is? Is it bad not getting commandants list? What is more important mission related TDYs or attending WLC?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 23 at 2014 10:31 PM

2014-03-23T22:31:29-04:00

What do you mean by mission related TDY's?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2014 1:22 PM

2014-03-24T13:22:02-04:00

WLC is good and it's the beginning of your into the NCOES. Do your best and strive for achievements such as CL and DHG. If you don't get it, no its not bad. I didn't get it at WLC, and people who fell out of PT events(that should have been counseled) did get CL. At ALC however I was #2 in my class by a hundredth of a grade point. Now I'm waiting to go to Warrant Officer Candidate. I believe it did assist me in getting selected that I did stand out from my peers at some point. SO take it for what it's worth....just do your best and learn what you can.

Response by 1SG Patrick Burke made Jun 8 at 2016 3:44 PM

2016-06-08T15:44:31-04:00

Go to WLC. You need to take charge of your career, do not wait for your Chain of Command to guide you. The units training and mission will go on without you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 4:56 PM

2016-06-08T16:56:09-04:00

Wlc is moreimportant career and advancement wise you need it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 8:15 PM

2016-06-08T20:15:00-04:00

It really depends on how much the student puts into it that makes BLC important. There's a lot of knowledge, and combat based MOS' will get training on some admin stuff, and non combat MOS' will learn how to lead soldiers in the field. Albeit that it's all the very basics of everything. I wouldn't say it's bad not getting commandant's list, but it's definitely something to strive for. And one thing to expect is that you get graded on everything, even things you wouldn't think you would get graded for.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jun 8 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-06-08T20:19:46-04:00

The important part is learning something and being able to take what you learned and using it in your job

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 1:13 AM

2016-06-09T01:13:40-04:00

Attend WLC/BLC. You will get out of it what you put into it. NCOES schools are career progression, not TDY.

Response by SSG Roderick Smith made Jun 9 at 2016 3:02 AM

2016-06-09T03:02:33-04:00

Attend BLC. Mission essential tasks are great, but unless you're the only one that can accomplish that mission, you can be spared to attend NCOES. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how many great things you've done to support the mission, if you haven't done what is required to move up.

Making DHG or CL is a great bonus, but it's limited to the top 20% of the class. If you don't get it, it's ok. Focus on attaining Superior ratings in all categories. Study for tests. Practice giving briefs, conducting PRT sessions, and speaking in front of people. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 5:11 PM

2016-06-09T17:11:44-04:00

I do not understand the mentality of newer Soldiers not wanting to go to NCOES. I have Soldiers begging to go get classes that will help them in the civilian sector. The minute we bring up Drivers training or BLC, they all have excuses on why they can’t go.
I was begging to go after I came back from my deployment in 2011. They were not taking SPC’s at the time, because of the backlog of SGT’s and SSG’s. As a SGT I was chomping at the bits to go to ALC.
Take any class that is offered, because you never know if your next Command will afford you the opportunity to go. As someone said previously, as a SGT you have to attend BLC to retain your current rank as a SGT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 3:01 PM

2016-06-10T15:01:48-04:00

Any NCOES school is essential to your growth as a leader, and your success in the Army. One of the most important things for you to do while your there is to network and get to know your colleges because you will definitely see them again. If you follow the rules and do your best Commandants List should be very easy to accomplish. It is not bad if you do not make it on CL, however getting it will give you promotion points and bragging rights, lol. You always want to get an NCOES as quickly as possible. Just be prepared to follow people who don't know how to lead, and to lead people who do not know how to follow. Take a lot of notes, listen and apply everything that you can apply to you as a leader. Use what they teach you to add tools to your tool belt, just know that not all of it will apply. Best of luck!