As a reservist, how do I train myself for BLC?

2016-03-14T01:23:29-04:00

My unit is helping me with drill and ceremony on weekends, but other than PT, what else should I focus on? Thank you!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 1:32 AM

2016-03-14T01:32:26-04:00

Writing memos, awards, sworn statements, PRT, D and C and you need to give a class....at least that's what I remember when it was WLC.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 3:07 AM

2016-03-14T03:07:11-04:00

PRT is a big part of it. Make sure you know how to lead PRT. It'll make it easier and save some time. For Land Nav, make sure you use terrain association. Don't shoot a straight azimuth and walk through crap to get to your point. Use major terrain features, such as dirt roads, hills, and hardballs to get to where you're going. I went to Ft. McCoy where everything was blanketed in about three feet of snow so doing that helped me a lot. Practice D&C with people in your squad when you get released. D&C was the easiest part. The tests are open notes, so you should be okay. Ctrl + F will be your friend during those. If you go to McCoy, be warned that the APFT is graded extremely stringently. I had more pushups count at Airborne School than at WLC. Keep your eyes forward and make sure you hear your grader count the rep instead of knocking out all of them and finding out only half counted.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-03-14T09:29:33-04:00

Troop Leading Procedures. Learn it. Live it.
Know when to be a teammate and when to be a leader. Everyone gets evaluated for being in a leadership position, but it is not a competition against one another. Be the Soldier that you would want in your squad when it is not your turn to lead, and be the example when it is.
Land Navigation trips up more than a few Soldiers, so invest some time there. If you can get out on a course between now and then, do it.
The classroom stuff isn't too difficult. You just need to pay attention in class, actually read your read-ahead material, and be able to reference and you'll be fine.
Good luck.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 14 at 2016 9:40 AM

2016-03-14T09:40:31-04:00

Learn your land nav. That's one that gets allot of people. Also brush up on first aid

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 9:44 AM

2016-03-14T09:44:29-04:00

Do push ups 100% correctly by regulation. Test yourself any that isn't perfect doesn't count towards your overall ability to preform. Same with sit ups. And run...

For good measure you should also get familiar with ctrl+F and spend 8 hrs a days viewing powerpoints

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 9:50 AM

2016-03-14T09:50:18-04:00

On top of the skill sets that everyone mentioned, be sure to work on your command presence. When it is your time to be put in the graded position of Squad Leader, this is not the time to be shy. It's also not the time to be "That Guy."

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 14 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-03-14T10:05:38-04:00

Dig into ADRP 6-22 for Leadership and Counseling, get a start on learning about, understanding and writing NCOERs and awards, brush up on Map Reading and Land Nav skills; as long as you pay attention when you are there, you will do fine!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-03-14T13:46:10-04:00

6-22 and PRT, the rest is going to be death by powerpoint.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-03-14T14:04:26-04:00

PRT, Land Nav, giving presentations, Drill and ceremony. When I went through we didnt have to take a PT test but I believe it is a requirement to take one when you get to your Academy. So be prepared for your PT test, Memeorize the NCO creed as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 3:44 PM

2016-03-14T15:44:30-04:00

Read the PRT manual and start reading the leadership manual. Most of the curriculum are out of that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 5:40 PM

2016-03-14T17:40:23-04:00

Remember the Soldiers and NCO Creed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 9:36 PM

2016-03-14T21:36:54-04:00

Learn how to conduct PRT especially the prep drills they are huge on doing that properly. I just had 2 soldiers that went thru and they said that was the the hardest graded portion but it could also depend on where you are going to BLC at.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 9:52 PM

2016-03-14T21:52:26-04:00

As an instructor at BLC in Fort Bragg, I can tell you you need to know PRT, squad drill (including marching and inspecting your squad), how to write a sworn statement, a memorandum and an award, conduct individual training from the SMCT, Land Nav, pass APFT, give an oral history brief, and you'll take a position as a leader in garrison and during the Situational Training Exercise. You get a class on each minus leadership that's just understanding TLP's and accomplishing mission. It's too easy, put forth the effort and you'll be just fine. Don't be late, don't get counseled.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 11:45 PM

2016-03-14T23:45:54-04:00

These are all great to prepare for blc and make sure you are prepared to do a lot of research.

Response by CSM James Winslow made Mar 15 at 2016 6:46 AM

2016-03-15T06:46:08-04:00

One of the biggest tasks you will face as a student isn't in any of the manuals. While passing the individual tests and evaluations are all on you, it is really about how quickly you and your platoonmates form a cohesive learning team. You are all only as strong as the weakest teammate, and the sooner you learn that come together as a unit, the better off you will be. The Cadre are there to teach, train and evaluate, but they leave the student assisted learning up to you, the students. There will be those that don't get this, and will resist subverting themselves to the group effort, and you really cannot do anything about those types. Other than that, remember you are in the course to be evaluated as a prospective NCO- the PT will not be hard, but the environment will be all about how well you follow instructions. The next thing is, learn and practice. Everything. One of my fellow NCOs failed out of a course because he was sure he knew all about the function check on the M16. He forgot the last step. Twice- and failed because of it. Our squad spent a couple of hours going over all the steps until we had it memorized, and we did just fine. He laid on his bunk and looked at us like we were crazy. Make sure you are well within the Army Weight control standards. If you are within 10 lbs or 1%, find a way to get lighter. the academy does follow the standard EXACTLY. The same with the PT test. More than the minimum is required because will lose at least ten reps and a minute because of the stress. Otherwise, eyes and ears open and mouth shut. Good luck!

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made Mar 15 at 2016 6:55 AM

2016-03-15T06:55:47-04:00

I would agree that you should study land nav. And be ready teach on something you never taught on before.

Response by SFC Brian Walden made Mar 15 at 2016 8:30 AM

2016-03-15T08:30:05-04:00

NCO Creed: Know it, verbatim.
Land Nav: Ensure you can plot precisely, in any weather condition. Know your pace count & ensure your pace count is on time. Seek out an NCO and trade out a weekend of D&C for land nav training.
Troop Leading Procedures: Know them
Packing List: Ensure you are 100% on clean, serviceable inventory. Do not wait for last minute.
PT: Focus on correct push ups & sit ups.

Response by CSM Charles Turbeville made Mar 15 at 2016 12:17 PM

2016-03-15T12:17:32-04:00

I agree fully with everything 1SG Healy mentioned. I will add that you must show up physically and mentally prepared. Your command is sending you because they believe in your potential to be a good leader, always keep that in mind and don't let them down. When leading always keep your soldiers welfare in mind and never forget how you felt when being led. Communication is key so always keep your team informed. Once you graduate take that information back to your unit and put it use immediately. Good Luck!

Response by MSG Douglas Tolliver made Mar 15 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-03-15T12:31:10-04:00

Take any opportunity to give PT or present classes to your unit before you go. Also remember that the Program of Instruction is the exact same thing taught to active duty troops. You will be held to the same standards. Make sure you can pass the APFT. Form is important.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-03-15T12:53:44-04:00

I went through BLC in 2013 and what we did and what we went over is all in the Skill Level 1 book. Everything. Work on typing up memos, 4856's, Creed of the Non-Commissioned Officer, Cadences, Speaking in front of a group, Awards. As a reservist, are you going somewhere to go to the full BLC or are you going to be doing the reserve BLC, to where it is like every weekend for two months?

Response by SP6 Heather Chaney made Mar 15 at 2016 1:40 PM

2016-03-15T13:40:44-04:00

Go to Armystudyguide.com

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:13 PM

2016-03-15T16:13:14-04:00

I graduated from BLC last October. practice Drill and ceremony, PRT, public speaking, troop leading procedures, land NAV. get your hands on a warrior skills level one book and read it. It is a really easy school, as long as you pay attention to details. all the tests are open book tests.

Response by SSG Carlos Garcia made Mar 15 at 2016 5:28 PM

2016-03-15T17:28:21-04:00

yOU SHOULD ALSO NEED TO GET COPIES OF THOSE BOOKS AND MANUALS THAT WILL BE USED AT THE ACADEMY SUCH AS; METL, COUNSELING AND COUNSELING STATEMENTS, LAND AD NAVIGATION (IS A MUST) DD-22-6, FM 22-6 AS WELL.

Response by SFC Jim Hunter made Mar 15 at 2016 11:32 PM

2016-03-15T23:32:35-04:00

I taught PLDC. Map Reading.