Anyone been to Ft. Hood recently for their WLC? I'm heading there in August for the 15 day reservist course. From what I've read on the boards, it seems like WLC is relatively easy. Any tips on preparation? Brush up on land nav & keep the PT scores up?

Also, I didn't see Class A's on the required packing list - really? I would think that Class A presentation would be part of it. I guess not?

Thank you.

BUMP

quote:

Originally posted by Okla Reservist:
BUMP

The reason Class As aren't a part of the packing list is because WLC is a damn joke.

I went to hood back in 04, half the stuff on the packing list wasn't used, class A's hung off of our wall locker for inspection, the land nav course is a big circle and if you get lost you are pretty much stupid, and the 3 day field problem was like 6 hours. Some of the problems I noticed with the reservists when I went through was that none of them knew how to march or call cadence. I suggest you brush up on that.

Great, thanks.

I went to pldc at ft. hood in Nov 2004 and it was relatively quick and painless, but I've heard that it has changed since I went. I suggest you prepare yourself as if this was a real challenge for you and be ready for surprises. Just yesterday I was coming home from work and saw a wlc soldier by my housing area, he was way off the land nav course, (this is the second time I see someone from wlc in the past 2 months), I stopped to ask if he needed help but he was on the phone with another NCO and ignored me. Tonight when I was watching the news it come on that a wlc course soldier is missing since yesterday. I trying to say is that be ready for a challenge; but if it ends up being a joke, than good for you.

Check out my post for the Soldier going to Ft. Dix. The link I provided there will take you too the Sergeants Majors Academy webpage. they are the ones who create the training outlines and doctrine for the WLC course. All the classroom information you need is there. Other than that, definately brush up on cadence, it just makes life easier

Be prepared for a VERY long safety briefing before the land nav course. There will probably be a great deal of attention focused on making sure everyone is accounted for when testing time is up. Finding your last point is not worth dying in the heat.

Sad News

I heard that the guy that got lost during land nav at hood was found dead... anyone know if this is true?

I guess maybe I should have read the Sad News link from PT huh?

Along with the briefing, I would say be prepared to carry as much water as you can handle. Either that or they will probably stop the land nav course for a while.

I can't even being to imagine how you could get lost on that course. Unless he was injured, someone with down syndrome (honestly, not joking) could navigate that course. They make it sound on CNN like he was navigating in the Sahara with the vegetation of the Amazon. It really isn't that way, I swear. The poor guy must have gotten bit by a snake or SOMETHING.

I feel you, I went to hood for PLDC also, I walked through maybe 50 yards of trees, the rest is open field. Then again he was CID, how often do you think they train their Soldiers about the basic stuff? Even still, something had to have happened to him. They said he had a cell phone but didn't call anyone...

Well, I survived WLC at Ft. Hood. It wasn't all that bad. 178 people & only 2 reservists :-)

A big safety briefing before the land nav was to be expected & we had several briefings. No, it wasn't too hard but we went in buddy teams so it made land nav even easier.

The thing that I wish they would change is actually having study time to absorb what was taught in the classes. They keep you going until 2100-2300 hrs and then wake up at 0430 or so. Oh well, no big deal.

quote:

Originally posted by Okla Reservist:
Well, I survived WLC at Ft. Hood. It wasn't all that bad. 178 people & only 2 reservists :-)

A big safety briefing before the land nav was to be expected & we had several briefings. No, it wasn't too hard but we went in buddy teams so it made land nav even easier.

The thing that I wish they would change is actually having study time to absorb what was taught in the classes. They keep you going until 2100-2300 hrs and then wake up at 0430 or so. Oh well, no big deal.

Buddy teams? Give me a break. But I guess that's what you have to do when a soldier dies on the landnav course. I was reading that punitive action will be taken against a MSG at the school for lying about the whole incident.

The landnav course at Fort Campbell is more challenging. Thick ass woods, some areas so dense you have to walk completely around to bypass, it throws your pace count all off. And of course it was pouring rain the day I was tested.