BOLC II...so Far

Hello all. I thought I would sign in and let you all know how I was at the extremely tough *cough* BOLC II course.

BOLC II's purpose is to make sure all new LT's come in with a basic knowledge of soldiering skills. Skills almost every single new LT already has learned either through Basic Training, ROTC, or both. Other LT's came from Basic Training, and OCS, and learned virtually everything being "taught" here already as well. However, there are a select few LT's that are either really bad at basic skills: shooting, land navigation, PT, basic tactics..etc. This is where BOLC II comes in and helps fill in what they should have already learned. In addition, JAGS have to attend as well to make sure they can be up to speed on skills they will most likely never have to use...but you never know.


The Cadre here are mostly made up of E-6's and E-7's who could give a crap about a LT's future or their knowledge. Some are really good and have a genuine interest in your ability to lead troops into battle and others have a bone to pick with "butter bars". The Officer Cadre here are pretty good, but like any operation generally, its an NCO's show.

So far here at BOLC II we have done BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship), with an M-4 with a CCO (very nice to shoot with). The CCO is an optic that puts a laser dot in your scope. You zero your dot and your barrel to a target. As long as you know the fundamentals of shooting, you will hit your target if the dot is on it. In addition, we did some night fire exercises, and urban operations. Further, we have had a PT test, Land Nav test, conducted convoy training, and IED training. IED training cracks me up because the bottom line is there isn't a fool proof way of insuring you won't get hit, its usually just a matter of luck.

We have combatives for the rest of the week, and next week we are setting up a Patrol Base and conducting some squad exercises and a live fire exercise. Our final week we will have a FTX and assault "Liberty City".

Bottom-line: BOLC II is the biggest "check the box training" school I have ever attended. For most of us its a waste of time because we either already know the material or the training is conducted so poorly that it negates any benefit you might of gained from it. I have learned to shoot a bit better here, but overall that's all I've learned. I have learned subtle lessons, like what I want in my NCO's and what I don't want, but overall I just want to get through this and move on to my real training at BOLC III.

I have made some good friends here though. The kind of friends that hopefully last your career and life-time. I have been blessed to have a really good squad and platoon that have made some of the crappier experiences enjoyable. We have a good time and everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed. Interestingly enough, one of my room-mates came from the U of U, and I knew him by name and face while I attended ROTC there so its been fun getting to really get to know him. I have another room-mate that is a great guy as well, and we all have a lot of fun together...especially making fun of BOLC II.

Anyhow, thanks for all of your support and I will see you all soon....enough.

Love you,

Brad