I think it should wait till after the board in fact I think the only way a specialist should go is if there are no Able bodied NCO's that haven't gone, I'm a SGT that is still waiting to go to WLC I get a 270+ on my PT test and do my job to the best of my ability (which noone has ever complained about) and yet my Unit continually is asking for SPC who haven't went to WLC and I keep asking WTF?!?!?!

Sounds like you need to speak to your nco support channel and school's nco.

The problem with this question is that is has the assumption that WLC teaches you ANYTHING. WLC is a joke. If you come out of WLC thinking it was a mind-opening and enlightening experience, it makes me seriously doubt if you should have gone to the promotion board.

I agree WLC is not the BEST Course in the world.

I went to PLDC in 02, at Ft Stewart, GA. I'm not going to say that it PRODUCED 100% ready to go NCO material. But I did think it was a good course, and I did learn some leadership skills from it.

Changing it from 4 weeks to 2 weeks, was riddiculous....to diulte this important training. I dont understand, the rationale for shortening the course.

I don't understand the rationale for wearing this stupid black beret with the ACUs that soaks up every bit of heat either (aside from an OER bullet), but that is just some of the upper leadership for you. Many things I don't understand, but changing from PLDC to the Worthless Leaders Course is probably on the top of the list.

I went to PLDC back in '01. For me it was a check the block type of things. I was a SPC(P) but I was already a team leader and was required to counsel my soldiers every month like any other NCO. I'm not saying that I didn't learn anything in PLDC because I did. If the soldiers who are now going to WLC are being mentored and trained properly then WLC shouldn't be an eye opening experience. Not everyone has the opportunity to be a team leader prior to WLC. Crap, some of the people I went to PLDC with had never led PT or even held any type of additional duties. I think WLC is good for developing a general foundation for those who are absolutely clueless about what being and NCO means.

I forgot to say yes or no for BLDC/WLC before or after the promotion board. It doesn't matter. There are pros and cons for both. What I don't agree with is sending soldiers to WLC unprepared. There is no excuse for a soldier going to WLC and failing the APFT or not meeting height and weight standards. When I went to PLDC about a quarter of the students failed either the APFT or height and weight. I think it's an embarassment to the soldier and his/her NCO support channel. Moral of the story. It's not when they go to WLC but are they trained and ready.

You wanna talk check the block? There are at least 8 PFCs that graduate this course here at Hood every two weeks. PFCs at WLC!?!?

I say the sooner the better. You won't always have an NCO, or even a SPC ito take charge of things. They might as well. They're doing CLS in Basic now. Why not push all of those types of schools? It just gets you promotion points that much earlier.

Also, if you're a SGT and get shown up by a PFC at WLC, then yes, there's something wrong with that picture... and it's not the PFC...

The NCOES systemy is not there to teach you how to be an NCO. That should be done by your mentors. It is there to provide a place to re-enforce standards and to interact with other NCOs. The best thing you usually take away from an NCOES is something you learned from a peer. It is still an important and relevant training tool.

Also, I feel you should attend WLC (Warrior Leader Course) as a SPC. Before or after the board. Once you pin on those stipes you need to be ready to lead.