Heading to BOLC phase 2 (2014)

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I am in the U.S Army reserve and heading to BOLC this summer for 3 weeks. I would like to know will it be important for me to be an M16 or/and M9 qualified (markmanship)? I heard some people said even though it is not a requirement for nurses but it will look good on you OER for promotion purposes.

Beside PT, what other study preparation should I do prior heading to BOLC in order to pass all my classes with a grade of 97% minimum?

Thanks already for your thoughts and advice.

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You will qualify on M16/9 mill in BOLC. If you don't qualify at BOLC, you will probably end up returning to the range at your duty station.

I'm not sure there's much you can do in the way of studying prior. You will be provided with your resources/study materials at BOLC and your instructors (if they're anything like mine were) will tell you what's important to remember.

Passing with a 97% is completely unnecessary. Ensure that you pass/have a working knowledge of the information you're taught and you'll be fine. While you'll be able to apply some of the knowledge you gain in the field, be advised that most of the information you'll learn, you will not use. BOLC for reservists is a flashbomb of basic Army information. While it's good to have, it's hardly vital to your work as an Army nurse.

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Thanks SoldierNurse22 for you quick and detailing answer. In everything I do, I always want to get some advise from peers and get on top of everything.

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No problem. BOLC for reservists tends to be a whirlwind of information because it's so condensed. Do your best to soak up that information and remember that as long as you're passing and doing your best, it'll be OK!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was in the BOLC class after SoldierNurse22, and we didn't even qualify on the M16 and M9 - we just did "familiarization" ranges, so they didn't count our scores at the end. Kind of annoying to me, because I qualified on both. lol

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You "qualify" on both but it doesn't matter. This is just a familiarization BOLC and the Army realizes that is isn't that important to doing your actual job which makes it different than every other BOLC (quartermaster, transpo, infantry, aviation etc) out there....

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Camp Bullis in June will be brutal. Learn how to drink water, and lots of it. I'll make studying much easier when you aren't fighting hypovolemia at the same time. ;)

Keep shooting for that 97%, being the Honor Graduate is a real feather in the cap. I've always been in the running at each of my schools, but in the military, second place is the first loser. Ask the instructors questions, until you fully understand the subject. Much of the task oriented training will involve roleplaying...play it to the hilt. Not only will it make the hours go by faster, but if your class embraces it, you'll make a more realistic environment: Train like you're fighting, because you'll fight like you trained.

Good luck.

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Camp Bullis in June will be brutal. Learn how to drink water, and lots of it. I'll make studying much easier when you aren't fighting hypovolemia at the same time. ;)

Keep shooting for that 97%, being the Honor Graduate is a real feather in the cap. I've always been in the running at each of my schools, but in the military, second place is the first loser. Ask the instructors questions, until you fully understand the subject. Much of the task oriented training will involve roleplaying...play it to the hilt. Not only will it make the hours go by faster, but if your class embraces it, you'll make a more realistic environment: Train like you're fighting, because you'll fight like you trained.

Good luck.

Good talk 504 medic!!

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Good talk 504 medic!!

Thanks. :)

I just missed Honor Grad at three of my schools, and I kick myself fairly regularly as a result.

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