Update post BOLC!

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Just wanted to update for anyone who is seeking information from my experience as a SC 66P post BOLC! As others before me have stated, it is what you make of it. Read Pixy RN's blog on how to survive and what to bring.. lots of great tips! To add to hers, bringing large trash bags and lining the duffle and laundry bags were key to keeping everything dry. I did read somewhere to bring metal hangers to hang up the uniform to let it air out.. was very handy. I also kept the daily changes of clothes in the zip lock bags which was also very handy. You cannot have enough mole skin to use preemptively on the back of your heels and the balls of your feet, as well as broken in boots. I have Danner boots and my feet stayed warm and dry, so I did not miss not having a second set of boots. People did bring two pairs of sneakers, one they left in the duffle and one for the weekend so they wouldn't forget to bring them back. I just had the one pair of boots and my sneakers, and shower shoes and did ok. Packed minimal civilian clothes,, which unfortunately were summer weight!! lol

I did have fun, minus a few mishaps!! For people attending in the near future, I would highly suggest cold weather gear!! I attended the short course which ran from Oct 26- Nov 21, 2014. The weather was crazy! It was 80's the first week, then ranged from 20-50's over the next three weeks. We had a solid three days of cold rain which was brutal since most of us did not have the appropriate gear. I was grateful for the weekend reprieve to purchase cold weather gear. (limited supplies at the PX) If you have your own cold weather TA 50 gear, bring it! Especially the neck gators, extra gloves, hand warmers, ect anything you think that would bring you some small creature comforts in the cold! I did have a poncho liner which was key with the sleeping bag on the colder nights, and a travel army pillow I purchased prior to going. As the other posts are mainly from the summertime months when it is hot, my experience was a tad different due to the cold front that arrived! Not a lot of showering went on, (no judging please! lol) so those baby wipes and dry shampoo certainly came in handy!!! Make sure you bring plenty of the pre-packaged wipes for the port-a-potty since we frequently ran out of toilet paper! The single packaged wet one anti bacterial wipes came in handy as well.

I unfortunately injured my back during the first week which was most unpleasant so was not able to carry my assault pack with all the handy baby wipes, snacks, ect. so I was grateful for the individual wipes that I could stash in my pockets. A battle buddy had generously carried my MRE's for me when needed. Might not seem like a big deal but when you leave your tent in the morning, typically you do not see it again until night time.

When you return from the weekend, we went straight to training so make sure you have what you need before you pack that duffel for the weekend. By the way they have remodeled the hotels at Fort Sam and we all had our own rooms! The people at the CandleWood suites made out with having condo like accommodations of full kitchens! Each hotel has the free laundry facilities so bring the single use laundry detergent pods to save yourself the headache of the bottle! Purchasing your own canteens ahead of time, I would highly recommend. People did use camelbacks but you still had to carry the two canteens. I didn't mind the water so drank it without flavor, but a lot of people used the powder packets of gatorade or lemonade, crystal light with caffeine.. ect packs to flavor it. Speaking of caffeine,, if you are a tea drinker.. my tip for you is to use the water bags in the afternoon with lunch to heat the water, bring your tea bag and drink from the bag. A tad tricky at times not to wear it! but it just grossed my germ phobic self to drink from the issued canteen cup. I also would do that with hot chocolate packets!

Due to the weather the first week, we ended up going to the range the 2nd week. Not a big deal you would think,, except it was super windy and cold and most people had left their fleece and waffle tops, gloves, in their duffle's. We went directly from the hotel pick up to the TTB, then to the range. So we did not have access to the duffle bags prior to that and was quite cold alllll day on the range. Learned a lesson from that one!!

My take on BOLC, it is to get you to understand the Army way of doing things. Learning and Utilizing the chain of command, military bearing, being a true team building experience and building on leadership skills. You have to be flexible with truly embracing the motto of "Hurry up and wait" and you will do fine! Some people brought books with them to read with the in between training sessions, standing around time.. I found that I just enjoyed chatting with different people during that time. It is what you make of it. We integrated quite easily with the active duty group. Again, I think if everyone has the right attitude, things just go smoothly. There is always going to be the few that will have to prove they are smarter than everyone else.. fortunately they were the minority and were not able to taint the good mojo our platoon had.

All in all it was an experience I am glad that I can now say is behind me!! If you are into crossfit you will be in better shape than I was going into this! Doing pull ups, working on flexibility will only benefit you on that obstacle course! Which by the way, don't feel that you need to accomplish each task like everyone else.. do your best and make sure you don't set yourself up for injury like I did! The dang belly buster got me good!

Review the BOLC website and bring the required documents as stated!! I had plenty of copies of my orders, all certificates and the record PT test. As for the record PT test, do yourself a favor and have the paper signed by two people. The person administering it, the company commander or 1SG with printed name and contact info! Or have a memorandum letter written by the cc or 1SG stating that you took the test on ___ date, your score in each category, total score, with their signature, printed name, and contact information,, or you will be taking the PT test there!

I did not bring a laptop which was a pain the first week with the classes, but was really not needed the other times. I do wish that I brought it do to being able to review the discs that were handed out in class, but you can get by with ipad or just phone really.

Please feel free to ask any questions!! I know I had plenty prior to going and all the posts helped me get prepared as well as my peers from my unit. I did find that having a duffle on wheels was the best way to bring all my belongings there... people did have regular suitcases but did need more than one, which is a hassle to get settled on the first day and the last day. Space saver bags are essential! Bring one for the sleeping bag to stuff in your duffle as well.. Just remember to have fun!

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

Great info! Glad you survived it. :D

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I am prior service Army by 12 years and going to be getting my BSN. I was thinking about returning and reclassifying to nursing. I am wondering if I will have to do BOLC since I am already a previous Army Soldier.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I am prior service Army by 12 years and going to be getting my BSN. I was thinking about returning and reclassifying to nursing. I am wondering if I will have to do BOLC since I am already a previous Army Soldier.

Yes, you will have to do BOLC if you commission into the Army Nurse Corps. I went to BOLC with plenty of prior service folks. It's different training than basic training for enlisted soldiers.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Were you a former officer? I have a co-worker who was an engineer and switched to nursing. She got out of COT (which is our version of BOLC). Granted this is AF and not Army.

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No I wasn't an officer. I was a SSG in Supply.

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