BOLC

[ncox1]

For those of you who went through BOLC as prior enlisted, what exactly did they go over that was not covered in either basic or WLC? Was just wondering on what specific "officer" training we can expect.

In addition, you can't have Army training without traditional "smoke" sessions. Can I expect this as well?

What kind of fun stuff do you get to do? Like ranges, rappelling hand to hand, gas chamber, ruck marches, uniform drills, etc.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I know I'm not prior service, but ... :) I never saw anyone get smoked at BOLC. Fun stuff included ranges (both M16 and M9, but for familiarization only when I was there -- we didn't actually get qualified) and the gas chamber. People who attained a certain PT score were able to do combatives as well. There is much of the good ol' death by PowerPoint when you're at Ft. Sam.

[ncox1]

Any good long ruck marches?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Any good long ruck marches?

Nope.

[ncox1]

In enlisted basic we rarely sat in a class room, more like march out to a field, got some instruction, then execute. Are you saying that a lot of the time is spent in the classroom?

Do you rotate rolls? Like, your platoon leader for a week, that kind of thing?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Yes, you will have a lot of class time. A lot. They aren't kidding when they say "death by PowerPoint." And you will have an opportunity for varying roles within your assigned platoon -- platoon leader, squad leader, etc. I blogged about much of my BOLC experience -- Army Nursing - Nursing community for nurses

[ncox1]

Good references, thanks.

[Cursed Irishman]

Fun things at BOLC? Drinking and fraternizing. Its more camp webelos than benning. Bring a car.