I will be heading to FA BOLC this summer. Does anybody have any advice or humorous anecdotes they are willing to share?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:41:21 -0500

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Dec 23 at 2016 1:58 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 13:58:54 -0500

CPT Aaron Kletzing, do you have any good stories?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 7:06 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 19:06:29 -0500

Don't be stupid, seriously! It's statically the second hardest BOLC behind AVN. I think there are approx. 25 graded tasks/ assignments not counting HW. It's still an Army school though and there is no reason for anyone with a bachelors degree to fail, but some will. Find solid LTs to do your HW with and take advantage of all extra study time offered by instructors.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 23 at 2016 8:10 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 20:10:28 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member -- I went to FA BOLC in its inaugural year back in 2006-2007 time period. Lawton, OK is no fun -- not much to do at all, and the few options you do have (there are like 3 decent dive bars in the whole city) make it easy to get yourself into trouble. So definitely don't do anything dumb to get yourself caught up. FA BOLC is not very difficult if you just focus and do what you're supposed to do. You will learn a lot of things that are useful -- and you will learn other things that are frankly a waste of your time and not even the cadre believe it's worth knowing. But that's how the Army can be. I do have some humorous anecdotes but no way I am going to post them here ;-)

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 23 at 2016 11:25 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 23:25:50 -0500

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2016 8:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 20:32:54 -0500

Firstly, be prepared for gunnery. A whole lot of interpolations involved. Take safety seriously or you will end up in a world of hurt since this the game you must pass to become a field artillery officer. Also, ensure you are physically fit since there is a lot of physical requirements involved, especially rucks. Do keen observation in class and find a good study group of students who are doing well since there is a lot of homework, lots of late nights so be ready. Take very well organized notes and pay attention to detail and you will be set. Im sure there may be other stuff like making sure you have everything on the packing list for class from day one but I sure you will figure it out. Hope this helps and good luck.

Response by CPT Travis Pitcher made Dec 27 at 2016 5:11 PM

CPT Travis Pitcher — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 17:11:39 -0500

I attended FABOLC in 2010-2011, and not being a math person really struggled. Most nights you left class around 1730 and had homework that often took hours to complete. PT was 0600 the next morning. Very difficult school for me personally, but you'll make lifelong friendships.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2016 7:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 19:54:33 -0500

Back in 2008, the commandant pulled us new LTs in and gave a presentation of all the dumb stuff our predecessors did. There were NDs with personal weapons, one guy passed out drunk in his car at a Taco Bell parking lot, and Officers getting taken advantage of by the local Lawtonians (you'll know them when you see them). Stay out of trouble and concentrate on your studies. You should be fine.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Dec 28 at 2016 10:36 AM

CPT Tom Monahan — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 10:36:44 -0500

Be comfortable with land navigation, study, and remember this is your first career (not college). Safety Always.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2016 12:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 12:35:53 -0500

Cadet Simpson - it has been a very long time since I attended OBC at Fort Sill, but I would concur with CPT Hunt, take it seriously and put the time in on the course work. This is the knowledge that will make you a success at your first assignment. Your leadership at your first Battery/Battalion won't expect you to be a perfect leader but they will expect you to have the technical expertise.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 11:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 23:59:05 -0500

Study, it is a very tough course. And don't live on Sheridan?

Response by 1LT Bart Johnston made Jan 1 at 2017 6:57 PM

1LT Bart Johnston — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 18:57:03 -0500

Gunnery...... They make it hard, just basic algebra. Youll love it.

Response by LTC Steve Smith made Jan 17 at 2017 2:10 PM

LTC Steve Smith — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:10:20 -0500

From a practical standpoint you need to take your POV. I was at Sill as an E1 in 1983 for Pershing then back as an O1E for FA OBC in 97. Could not have a car as a private but actually needed one as a lieutenant .

Response by CPT W Neeley made Jan 21 at 2017 8:30 AM

CPT W Neeley — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 08:30:00 -0500

Too long ago for me. Lawton has grown a lot. if you're out partying Don't try to come back on post. Grab a hotel or sleep it off in your car someplace safe. Make good friends and hang out as a group. Get to OKC at least a few times... fun town!

Response by CPT Tom Parr made Jan 27 at 2017 6:43 PM

CPT Tom Parr — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 18:43:59 -0500

Drink water. Nothing to do in Lawton. Beautiful country. Take time to run from Quad to Geronimo's grave. It was a blast. FA OBC Class 04-95 Grad here.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 4:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 16:51:34 -0500

spend as much time at scooters as you can. The beer is only 0.035%, so either drink a lot or figure out which microbrews that are fully staffed that your local bar / liquor store offers