Basic Leadership Course (BLC) Overview
The Basic Leadership Course (BLC) is the first level of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES). This course develops leadership skills and prepares Soldiers for promotion to Sergeant (E-5). BLC focuses on developing competent and confident leaders who can lead small teams and serve as the backbone of the Army.
📊 Course Details
- Duration: 22 days (residential) or 8 weeks (distributed learning)
- Prerequisites: E-4 promotable to E-5
- Location: Various Army installations
- Focus: Leadership development and NCO responsibilities
- Graduation: Not Required for promotion to Sergeant (Soldiers get 150 promotion points before making Sergeant)
- Credits: 3 semester hours of college credit
🎯 Course Objectives
- Leadership Skills (40%)
- Military Training (25%)
- Physical Fitness (15%)
- Communication (10%)
- Army Values (10%)
NCO Creed
No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind — accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!
Watch: Basic Leadership Course (BLC) Walkthrough Guide
Get an overview of the BLC course structure, requirements, and what to expect during your training.
Video Credit: This BLC walkthrough guide was created by Roger Sarnt. We thank Roger Sarnt for his valuable contribution to military education and leadership development. This video is embedded with permission and proper attribution.
Disclaimer: This video is provided for educational purposes as part of Apex Warrior Academy's BLC preparation resources. The content and opinions expressed in the video are those of the original creator, Roger Sarnt, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Army or Apex Warrior Academy.
📚 Study Resources
📖 Course Materials
Download official BLC course materials and study guides for comprehensive preparation.
📋 Rubrics & Standards
Access official rubrics and evaluation standards for BLC assessments.
⚔️ Interactive Flashcards
Use these interactive flashcards to memorize key BLC concepts, leadership principles, and military knowledge. Click on a card to flip it and reveal the answer.
📝 Practice Tests
Test your knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes covering BLC course material and leadership concepts.
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✍️ Mock Essays & Writing Practice
Practice your writing skills with these sample BLC essay prompts and responses. These mock essays demonstrate proper structure, military writing style, and key concepts you'll need to master.
Leadership in the Modern Army
📝 Essay Prompt:
"Discuss the importance of adaptive leadership in today's Army and how it differs from traditional leadership approaches. Provide specific examples of how adaptive leadership can be applied in various military situations."
📖 Sample Response:
Introduction: Adaptive leadership has become increasingly crucial in the modern Army as we face complex, rapidly changing environments that require flexible thinking and innovative solutions. Unlike traditional leadership approaches that rely on established protocols and hierarchical decision-making, adaptive leadership emphasizes flexibility, creativity, and the ability to adjust strategies based on evolving circumstances.
Body Paragraph 1: The fundamental difference between adaptive and traditional leadership lies in their approach to problem-solving. Traditional leadership often follows a "one-size-fits-all" methodology, applying proven solutions to familiar problems. However, adaptive leadership recognizes that today's military challenges require leaders to think outside conventional frameworks and develop innovative approaches that may not have been previously tested.
Body Paragraph 2: In combat situations, adaptive leadership becomes particularly critical. For example, during urban operations, leaders must quickly assess changing threat environments and adjust tactics accordingly. A squad leader might need to modify a planned route based on unexpected enemy positions, or change communication methods when traditional radio frequencies are compromised. This requires both technical competence and the mental flexibility to abandon preconceived plans.
Body Paragraph 3: Adaptive leadership also applies to training and development scenarios. When preparing Soldiers for deployment, leaders must adapt training programs to address emerging threats, new technologies, and changing mission requirements. This might involve modifying physical training routines, updating tactical scenarios, or incorporating new equipment into training exercises.
Conclusion: The modern Army requires leaders who can think adaptively while maintaining the core values and standards that define military excellence. By developing adaptive leadership skills, NCOs can better prepare their Soldiers for the unpredictable challenges they will face, ensuring mission success and troop welfare in any environment.
💡 Writing Tips:
- Use clear, concise military writing style
- Include specific examples and scenarios
- Structure with clear introduction, body, and conclusion
- Demonstrate understanding of Army leadership principles
- Proofread for grammar and clarity
Living the Army Values
📝 Essay Prompt:
"Choose one of the seven Army Values and explain how you have demonstrated it in your military career. Provide a specific example of how this value guided your decision-making in a challenging situation."
📖 Sample Response:
Introduction: Integrity, one of the seven Army Values, serves as the foundation of trust between leaders and subordinates. Throughout my military career, I have strived to demonstrate integrity in every action, understanding that my Soldiers look to me as an example of ethical behavior and moral courage.
Body Paragraph 1: Integrity means doing what is right, even when no one is watching. During a recent field exercise, I discovered that my platoon had been given credit for completing a training objective that we had actually failed to achieve. While it would have been easy to accept the undeserved recognition, I immediately reported the error to my chain of command, ensuring accurate assessment of our actual performance.
Body Paragraph 2: This decision was not without consequences. Our platoon had to repeat the training objective, which meant additional time in the field and potential impact on our unit's overall training schedule. However, by demonstrating integrity, I reinforced the importance of honest assessment and set a standard for my Soldiers that performance cannot be faked or exaggerated.
Body Paragraph 3: The long-term benefits of this decision became apparent when my Soldiers began to trust that I would always be honest with them, even when the truth was difficult. This trust translated into better communication, more open feedback, and ultimately improved unit performance as Soldiers felt comfortable reporting problems before they became serious issues.
Conclusion: Integrity is not just about avoiding dishonesty; it's about building trust through consistent ethical behavior. By demonstrating integrity in challenging situations, leaders create an environment where Soldiers feel safe to be honest, take responsibility, and grow professionally.
💡 Writing Tips:
- Choose a value you can demonstrate with concrete examples
- Focus on one specific incident or situation
- Show the impact of your actions on others
- Connect your example to broader leadership principles
- Keep your response focused and well-organized
Professional Development Planning
📝 Essay Prompt:
"Outline your professional development plan for the next 12-18 months. Include specific goals, timelines, and how you plan to achieve them. Explain how this plan aligns with Army career progression and leadership development."
📖 Sample Response:
Introduction: Professional development is essential for any Soldier aspiring to advance in the Army. My 18-month development plan focuses on three key areas: technical proficiency, leadership skills, and educational advancement, all designed to prepare me for promotion to Staff Sergeant and future leadership opportunities.
Body Paragraph 1: My primary goal is to complete the Advanced Leader Course (ALC) within the next 12 months. To achieve this, I will maintain a minimum APFT score of 270, complete all required correspondence courses, and ensure my evaluation reports reflect the leadership potential necessary for course selection. I will also seek mentorship from senior NCOs who have successfully completed ALC to understand the challenges and requirements.
Body Paragraph 2: Concurrently, I will focus on developing my technical expertise in my Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). This includes completing additional certification courses, participating in advanced training exercises, and volunteering for challenging assignments that will expand my skill set. I plan to achieve expert qualification in at least two additional weapons systems and complete advanced land navigation training.
Body Paragraph 3: Educational advancement is my third priority. I will enroll in college courses to work toward my associate's degree, focusing on subjects that complement my military training such as leadership studies, emergency management, or criminal justice. I will also complete Army correspondence courses to earn promotion points and demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning.
Conclusion: This development plan is designed to create a well-rounded foundation for future leadership roles. By balancing technical skills, leadership development, and educational advancement, I will be better prepared to serve as a senior NCO and mentor to junior Soldiers, contributing to the Army's mission of developing competent, confident leaders.
💡 Writing Tips:
- Make goals specific, measurable, and achievable
- Include realistic timelines for each objective
- Show how goals align with Army career progression
- Demonstrate understanding of promotion requirements
- End with a strong conclusion about future impact
🎖️ Leadership Development
Army Leadership Model
BE - Character:
- Army Values
- Warrior Ethos
- Empathy
- Discipline
- Mental and physical fitness
KNOW - Competence:
- Technical and tactical expertise
- Interpersonal skills
- Conceptual skills
- Cultural awareness
DO - Action:
- Influencing
- Operating
- Improving
- Building
NCO Responsibilities
Primary Duties:
- Train and develop subordinates
- Maintain discipline and standards
- Execute the mission
- Welfare of Soldiers
- Professional development
Leadership Styles:
- Directing
- Delegating
- Supporting
- Coaching
Communication Skills:
- Active listening
- Clear and concise messaging
- Non-verbal communication
- Feedback and counseling
Military Training
Physical Training:
- Army Physical Fitness Test (AFT)
- Combat fitness training
- Endurance and strength building
- Nutrition and wellness
Drill and Ceremonies:
- Squad drill movements
- Formation commands
- Military bearing
- Ceremonial procedures
Tactical Training:
- Land navigation
- Combat tactics
- Weapons training
- Field exercises
💪 Physical Readiness Training (PRT)
Preparation Drills (PRT):
- Bend and Reach
- Rear Lunge
- High Jumper
- Rower
- Squat Bender
- Windmill
- Forward Lunge
- Prone Row
- Bent Leg Body Twist
- Push-up
PRT Mnemonics:
- Be
- Right
- Here
- Real
- Soon
- We
- Found
- Private
- Behind
- Popeyes
Conditioning Drills 1:
- Power Jump
- V-Up
- Mountain Climbers
- Leg-Tuck and Twist
- Single-Leg Push-Up
Conditioning Drills 2:
- Turn and Lunge
- Supine Bicycle
- Half Jack
- Swimmer
- 8-Count T Push-Up
CD1 Mnemonics:
- PT
- Very
- Motivated
- Little
- Soldiers
CD2 Mnemonics:
- This
- Session
- Has
- Some
- 8-Counts
Military Movement Drill 1:
- Verticals
- Laterals
- Shuttle Sprints
Military Movement Drill 2:
- Power Skips
- Crossovers
- Crouch Runs
MMD1 Mnemonics:
- Very
- Little
- Sleep
MMD2 Mnemonics:
- Practice
- Customs
- Sleep
Recovery Drills:
- Overhead Arm Pull
- Rear Lunge
- Extend and Flex
- Thigh Stretch
- Single-Leg Over
Recovery Drills Mnemonics:
- Only
- Rangers
- Eat
- This
- Stuff
📋 Course Requirements & Standards
Academic Standards
- Maintain 70% or higher on all written exams
- Complete all required assignments
- Participate actively in classroom discussions
- Demonstrate understanding of course material
- Submit all required paperwork on time
Physical Standards
- Pass Army Physical Fitness Test (AFT)
- Meet height and weight standards
- Maintain military bearing and appearance
- Participate in all physical training sessions
- Demonstrate physical endurance and strength
Leadership Standards
- Demonstrate Army Values in all actions
- Lead by example and maintain standards
- Communicate effectively with peers and subordinates
- Show initiative and problem-solving skills
- Display professional military bearing
💡 BLC Success Tips
📋 Before BLC
- Review Army leadership publications
- Practice physical fitness training
- Study the NCO Creed thoroughly
- Prepare your uniform and equipment
- Get adequate rest and nutrition
- Mentally prepare for the challenge
🎯 During BLC
- Stay focused and maintain discipline
- Participate actively in all activities
- Help and support your classmates
- Take detailed notes during instruction
- Ask questions when you need clarification
- Maintain a positive attitude
🔍 After BLC
- Apply what you learned in your unit
- Continue developing leadership skills
- Mentor junior Soldiers
- Stay current with Army policies
- Prepare for Advanced Leader Course (ALC)
- Maintain high standards of performance
📖 Additional Resources
📋 PRT Rubrics
Download Physical Readiness Training evaluation rubrics.
🎯 Study References
- Army Doctrine Publication 6-22 (Army Leadership)
- Field Manual 7-22 (Physical Readiness Training)
- Army Regulation 670-1 (Wear and Appearance)
- Drill and Ceremonies Manual (TC 3-21.5)
- Land Navigation Manual (FM 3-25.26)
- Army Values and Warrior Ethos