As a new NCO, what school should I attend first? Any suggestions?

Well said.

I come from the era where you had to complete schooling first before getting promoted. This was always good as basic things a NCO should know like marching soldiers, basic commands, and how to give a simple class was a necessity. The Army moved away from this and in my opinion it was the worst mistake they ever did. The military then said, "we will then send you to school." But when is the question? Newly promoted E-5 and 6's were backed up in waiting lines to go through schools because standards weren't being met either by the soldier or by unit. So after my long useless rant, get your NCO courses out of the way. These are the most tedious, and will take the longest to get through or enrolled in. As previously stated, your never too old or to high in rank to listen to even the lowest man in the company. He might have a doctorate on a specialized skill that no-one else has been trained in. If you listen to your soldiers, you'll be surprised what you can learn.

Agree with "Top" get your NCOES and I'd recommend a useful ASI, i.e. instructor. But do be sure to listen because you would be surprised what he troops bring to the table! I learned this while detailed to a reserve unit where we had several degrees professionals, pilots, business owners who were there oh of patriotism (they didn't need the $!)

Agree completely...

^This^

ABIC is not, or should not be, taught anymore. It's now the Foundation Instructor Facilitator Course (FIFC). And yes, I'm serious. You can't make this stuff up man, I swear to God. SGITC is changing also but I can't remember to what. That change (SGITC) takes effect 1 Oct.

SFC Thomas Butler - Are you saying that there shouldn't be an instructor school anymore?

SGT (Join to see) - Negative, that's not what I'm saying. Although I could see how you would think that due to my horrible powers of articulation (once a Grunt, always a Grunt man). The ABIC POI is no longer valid. All teaching institution's should have switched to FIFIC in Jan 16. But that does not take away from the issue of DA switching the names of courses, just to switch the name. It's totally ridiculous. The POI is basically the same with the exception that FIFIC has a phase I.