What are some tips and tricks to help someone be successful in the Sapper Leader Course?

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I'm reading this a little late, did you ever end up tabbing?

I went to Sapper Leader Course back in 2010. Here is what I took away from it.

1. Be prepared to spend a lot of money. Packing list will require Items that your unit may not have. I spent close to $400.00 by the time I bought a nice pair of rucking boots, fox river socks, carabiners, fire starter kits, ropes to train with, etc. I could have used the old issued boots, and socks but because I wanted to earn my tab I felt like making a better investment in quality boots and socks may help instead of using old issued stuff. This of course is up to you.

2. Do some sort of train up and try to have a buddy go with you that is semi intelligent, thats in shape and wants to be there. Thats just my opinion. Sapper School may have changed some but when I went through during GS a lot of your points where not up to you to get. For example a lot of points were based off team events. Things like One rope bridge, Poncho raft to swim, Jungle Antenna, A Frame, etc. So you could be partnered up with someone who just flat out sucks and if they mess up something on one of those events you will lose points. This is the same thing during Land Nav. when you do land nav you will have a partner. If your partner is head strong and takes charge and gets you lost then that may take away from you earning your tab.

3. Get in shape. You will hear the phrase " There are Strong Sappers and Smart Sappers" Try to be both but usually your one or the other. The better physical shape you are in when you go the chances of you earning a tab are much higher.

4. Once you get into Patrolling Phase you literally don't have much control of your grade. I have known some amazing Soldiers and leaders that have failed patrolling to no fault of there own. This is where I think Sapper Leader Course could do better. Most people who do not earn there tab at least when I went through the course failed patrolling. The way you fail patrolling could be a number of different ways. I was never an instructor there so I do not know what specifically they look for. But I could give you some examples..... Things like the Patrol doesn't make a hit time so everyone in the leadership position fails, someone forgets a specific piece of equipment on a mission there for the mission fails.. example we did a bridge recon mission and one of the squad leaders didn't do PCC/PCI and they forgot the M-81 to ignite the charge and the whole leadership team failed.

Usually you will be given two attempts at patrolling but you really don't have a say so of when or what position you will serve in during patrolling. When I went through you could not recycle as the School was rather poor and did not have enough staff at the time to support hold over cycles.

5. A lot has changed during the years and your best bet is to keep up with there Facebook page. They do a great job now of posting literally everything from how many show up to class, to 12 mile ruck march times, to who failed to make minimum PT score on PT test.

In summary the Sapper Leader Course was an experience for sure. I was glad to say I "Completed the Course" and received my Black and White Cert. however I did not pass patrolling there for I can not wear the Tab. You will learn a lot of different skills during the course and you will learn a lot about yourself. Best of luck to you.