What are the requirements to attend BLC?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 18:31:47 -0500

I am in a P status from E4 to E5 and I haven’t got any word about my BLC dates; some NCO’s have said that I need more promotion points in order to get a slot at BLC; and my squad leader hasn’t told me anything about BLC. Any advise? What to expect there?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 6:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 18:37:45 -0500

Completion of SSD1, Recommended for Promotion, and a BLC seat request submitted and approved. That's it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 9:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 21:39:30 -0500

Expect death by power point. Attention to detail to the tenth degree. Fun activities and PT. And hopefully a fun FTX (no sarcasm-mine was awesome). Oh and a whole lot of NCO creed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 10:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 22:45:57 -0500

Use your chain of command and get a BLC slot. From what you have said you can go to BLC now.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2018 5:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 17:32:10 -0500

So I spoke to my squad leader and he said wait for an email. How does the BLC reservation works?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2018 3:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:50:05 -0500

So normally there is an OML that is published with the names of those attending. Your BDE schools should have more information on this. If you are not hard slotted then you can request for a walk in, but obviously utilize your COC to make this happened.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jan 7 at 2018 4:14 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:14:05 -0500

Just a comment about my experience. I don't know how long you've been in the service or at your present rank, but some MOS' seem to be more difficult to get promoted than others. At seven years in the military, with five years as a Specialist, I had already completed PLDC and BNCOC before ever making Sergeant...this was a time when BNCOC allowed Specialist(P) to attend their course. At that time, you either were promoted or put out, of course no fault of my own. At the 11th hour before having to ETS, I was finally promoted to Sergeant! Once again, as luck would have it, I attended ANCOC before ever being promoted to SFC. My point is, just keep at it and don't get discouraged. I've seen combat arms MOS' promote soldiers quickly. Those same soldiers that had eight years of service, when I did, were already on their way to SSG, while I was still a Specialist. Just a thought.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2018 5:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 05:27:54 -0400

Bragg has an installation OML they generate using HRC records. However, they don't always fill all the slots so then the Schools NCOs at BDE and BN levels can submit packets for walk-ons to try to get into the class. It's a complete packet that requires an APFT within the last 30-60 days (I was always told 30 days but we got word from our BDE it's 60 days so who knows) plus a full packet. The walk-ons will be put into an OML and then attend day 0. There's no guarantee you can get in but I have seen a couple cycles where every walk-on from the OML got in plus a handful of those who showed to day 0 with completed packets. It's a crap shoot, however, your training NCO can submit a packet to BN who can push it up to BDE to push to XVIII Airborne Corps so you can at least get put into the OML for walk-ons/standby.

On another note, I am being told here at Bagram nobody is allowed to go to BLC anymore unless they are promotable. Is this true? I have not heard as such yet and am trying to get my Soldier here into the next cycle.