We have some great leaders that post regularly on here and I'm very eager for some feedback on this subject. I've been notified that I am enrolled into the next WLC course at the beginning of February. For those of you that have taken the course already (or PLDC in the past), what items would you have brought to help you out that weren't included on your packing list? Winters in Korea are very cold.

I just asked my MSG today if he would modify our Sergeants Time Training schedule to accomodate a Land Nav/Basic Map Reading portion before I reported on 6 Feb 07 for WLC, and he agreed that it was a good idea. I plan on talking to my NCOIC about giving PT for the rest of the month so I have plenty of time to jack it up and fix it before being graded on it. I suppose I could work some D&C into the PT somehow. Any other suggestions in how I can prepare myself for the course? Thanks

Just go there ready to learn and do everything the way you are taught and you will be fine. Don't go there like some people do trying to do Land Nav the way you learned back at the unit. Even with PT there are certain ways they want so just be flexible.

Alive,

The main problems that soldiers have at WLC are: the APFT and Land Nav. I assume you can pass an APFT so, lets talk Land Nav... if you can secure a 1/50,000 scale map and a protractor (GTA 5-2-10) and have your NCOs plot 6 digit grids for you to look-up ...that will be very helpful and boost your confidence. Also ask them to show you how to use a compass and do a compass course if possible. Become as familiar with the compass as possible. D&C well you can see if your PSG will let you march the Plt or section, and critique your performance.

Remember...the purpose of NCOES is to get you in a captive environment and teach you what "right looks like" by Army doctrine. The secret to doing well at NCOES coures is to be as prepare as possible. That way when you go to class it will be a review and not the first time that you have seen the subject matter. The NCO Academy website should have the Army Pubs that you need to review. If not let me know and i'll give you a list.

Good luck RFH

I am also preparing a soldier to attend the course. What is the website that have the Army Pubs that are good to review for WLC?

Just go there with a positive attitude ready to learn. They will take you from square one, and assume you know nothing. Have fun at Camp Jackson. It is the smallest, crappiest army installation I have ever seen.

My advise to you is to be prepared for the drama. I was surprised by the immaturity of my fellow NCOs and future leaders. There were three groups I found: Thoes who know and don't say, thoes who don't know and say anyway, and thoes who are totally lost in the sauce. The first week or so will be smooth, people will try to figure out each other and determine where they fit in, but pretty soon it will be all rough edges and confrontations. At Ft. Polk, we had a mix of 'grunt' and 'support pukes'. I even got into it a few times with a loud, obnoxious line medic over leading and saving procedures, the fight was really over support vs. line (and possibly male vs female).
The information you recieve there is good, it is a submersion in the doctrine that powers and guides the Army. I firmly believe that if you have a thorough understanding of the rules and doctrine, the better off you will be when trying to bend them and to accomplish your goals in the Army. Keep your mind open, don't think 'that's not how we do it' because you're right, that's how you are supposed to do it.
Other than the drama of personalities (great opportunity to learn how to lead conflicting team members), the course matter is not hard, just exacting. Keep a good attitude and you will get more from the course than you might imagine.

Olshoolz,

The pubs that generally need to be reviewed are: AR 670-1, FM 21-20, FM 3-25.26, STP 21-1 SMCT,STP,21-24 SMCT.

I agree with Sgt King...if you go to WLC w/an open mind and are ready to learn you will graduate. But on the other hand if your goal is to graduate on the Commandants List (top 20%) or as the distinguished Honor Grad of your class, then you need to be as prepared as possible.

Make sure you bring an official GTA (Graphic Training Aid) protractor for Land Nav. Any other protractor will confuse you. If you don't have a GTA, you have to flip the protractor over to have an accurate measurement.

SGT P.

I just remembered a kicker for WLC. The whole thing is about Army doctrine and doing it the right way. This means that grading the PT test will be more strict. Focus on form, especially for push-ups. A lot of Soldiers get use to the more relaxed standards, NCO letting poor form count that they have problems making the push-ups. Have a fellow NCO check out your shape throughout the whole push-up and make sure you can do at least the minimum of the most rigid standard push-ups you can. Good luck.