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I'm a prior service Marine (0311) Sergeant that is now serving in the Army at my same rank. After some digging I understand the Army is no longer recognizing Sergeants Course in the Corps as a BLC Equivalent prior to November 2019. However, the message that I pulled from HRC doesn't say anything about not recognizing Infantry Squad Leader School in the Crops, which I've completed as well. After talking to my S3, S1 and career counselor it seems no one has dealt with a situation like this and are unsure about what to do. I'm only asking to see if anyone has seen it done before and what process I need to do IOT get this issue resolved.
Posted in these groups: 
Prior Service
Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC)
Operations (S3)
S1 Personnel NCO
Career Counselor
Prior Service Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC) Operations (S3) S1 Personnel NCO Career Counselor
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 4
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Advice from another former Marine.
Go to BLC.
Don't make the assumption that your Marine experience makes you ready to be an Army NCO. It doesn't. Before you rush to failure, make sure you truly understand Army basics, which BLC will give you.
Counseling, awards, evaluations, promotions, your MOS, service and programs, uniforms, leaves and passes, all those thousands of things NCO's are expected to know. These are all different for each branch.
Prior Marines generally either do exceptionally well, or exceptionally poorly. The best thing you can do is immediately remove any chips that remain on your shoulders, forget all of the Marines "we're better than everyone" brainwashing nonsense, and get ready to adapt to your new environment. Listen a lot. Learn a lot. Talk very little. At least at first.
Start reading Army Regulations. Start with uniforms, awards, customs and courtesies, NCO guides, etc...
This might seem negative in tone. It's not. I made the same transition and it was the best thing I ever did. In the Army, you'll have a better quality of life, better programs, more education, more training, more varied responsibilities and assignments, more diverse bases and units, and a real opportunity to shine. But remember, you joined the Army. You must adapt. If you don't succeed, the Army will replace you faster than you can walk out the door. Make sure you set yourself up for success. Find another prior Marine, preferably a Senior NCO or Officer for mentorship, guidance and advice. They'll understand the transition. Don't latch on to a junior prior Marine. It remains to be seen whether they'll sink or float.
Go to BLC.
Don't make the assumption that your Marine experience makes you ready to be an Army NCO. It doesn't. Before you rush to failure, make sure you truly understand Army basics, which BLC will give you.
Counseling, awards, evaluations, promotions, your MOS, service and programs, uniforms, leaves and passes, all those thousands of things NCO's are expected to know. These are all different for each branch.
Prior Marines generally either do exceptionally well, or exceptionally poorly. The best thing you can do is immediately remove any chips that remain on your shoulders, forget all of the Marines "we're better than everyone" brainwashing nonsense, and get ready to adapt to your new environment. Listen a lot. Learn a lot. Talk very little. At least at first.
Start reading Army Regulations. Start with uniforms, awards, customs and courtesies, NCO guides, etc...
This might seem negative in tone. It's not. I made the same transition and it was the best thing I ever did. In the Army, you'll have a better quality of life, better programs, more education, more training, more varied responsibilities and assignments, more diverse bases and units, and a real opportunity to shine. But remember, you joined the Army. You must adapt. If you don't succeed, the Army will replace you faster than you can walk out the door. Make sure you set yourself up for success. Find another prior Marine, preferably a Senior NCO or Officer for mentorship, guidance and advice. They'll understand the transition. Don't latch on to a junior prior Marine. It remains to be seen whether they'll sink or float.
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If you're in the Army now, why does your profile state you're a rifleman in the Marine Corps?
Did you read through this?
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/BLC%20Equivalency%20and%20ALC~2FSLC%20Constructive%20Credit%20Requests
That seems to have the answer and it has links to references. It states that USMC Infantry Squad Leader Course taught at Camp Pendelton only meet requirements. If they were taught at Marine Corps Divisions they don't meet BLC program equivalency requirements. By the way - this was the first link that came up when I searched "is the USMC advanced infantry course the same as army basic leader course"
a. Primary level equivalency:
(1) RA- or RC-BLC or TATS–C BLC.
(2) RA- or RC-Primary Leadership Course.
(3) RC- NCO Course and/or Basic NCO Course (prior to 1985).
(4) United States Marine Corps (USMC) NCO Course.
(5) USMC NCO Basic Course.
(6) USMC Leadership Course or USMC NCO Leadership.
(7) USMC Staff NCO Advance Course (taught at Quantico, VA only).
(8) USMC Resident Staff NCO Career Course (taught at Quantico, VA only).
(9) USMC Infantry Squad Leader Courses (taught at Camp Pendleton only). The Squad Leader Courses taught at Marine Corp Divisions does not meet BLC program of instruction equivalency requirements.
(10) USMC Sergeants Course.
(11) OCS (RA and/or RC any Service).
(12) Officer Basic Course (from any Service).
(13) Officer Advanced Course (any Service).
(14) Combined Arms and Service Staff School (or equivalent course from any Service).
(15) Command and General Staff Officer’s Course (or equivalent course from any Service).
(16) ROTC Advanced Camp (any Service).
(17) WOCS (RA and/or RC Army or USMC WOCS).
Did you read through this?
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/BLC%20Equivalency%20and%20ALC~2FSLC%20Constructive%20Credit%20Requests
That seems to have the answer and it has links to references. It states that USMC Infantry Squad Leader Course taught at Camp Pendelton only meet requirements. If they were taught at Marine Corps Divisions they don't meet BLC program equivalency requirements. By the way - this was the first link that came up when I searched "is the USMC advanced infantry course the same as army basic leader course"
a. Primary level equivalency:
(1) RA- or RC-BLC or TATS–C BLC.
(2) RA- or RC-Primary Leadership Course.
(3) RC- NCO Course and/or Basic NCO Course (prior to 1985).
(4) United States Marine Corps (USMC) NCO Course.
(5) USMC NCO Basic Course.
(6) USMC Leadership Course or USMC NCO Leadership.
(7) USMC Staff NCO Advance Course (taught at Quantico, VA only).
(8) USMC Resident Staff NCO Career Course (taught at Quantico, VA only).
(9) USMC Infantry Squad Leader Courses (taught at Camp Pendleton only). The Squad Leader Courses taught at Marine Corp Divisions does not meet BLC program of instruction equivalency requirements.
(10) USMC Sergeants Course.
(11) OCS (RA and/or RC any Service).
(12) Officer Basic Course (from any Service).
(13) Officer Advanced Course (any Service).
(14) Combined Arms and Service Staff School (or equivalent course from any Service).
(15) Command and General Staff Officer’s Course (or equivalent course from any Service).
(16) ROTC Advanced Camp (any Service).
(17) WOCS (RA and/or RC Army or USMC WOCS).
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The mil-per should have a POC, I would have your S1 email them a copy of your cert and see what they say. If there is no POC, the proponent for BLC is the NCOLCOE and USASMA, hit up their website for the BLC guru and email that person.
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