I am scheduled to go to WLC @ Shelby next month. Can anyone tell me what to expect - besides hot & wet? I imagine it would be similar to any AIT - AM PT, classroom/hands on, final formation... am I close? Just curious, want to be prepared. Thanks!
I went to WLC at Camp Willams in Utah Feb 2008. It was a little more involved then the discription of AIT you gave.
Most days had a very early wake up, clean the barracks, early formation (before the sun was up), quick breakfast, then into the classroom for a day of power points (or out to the field), lunch somewhere in there, More classroom, finally about 1700 or 1800 we would go to dinner. After dinner it was either back to the barracks or classroom for more studying and cleaning. Most nights we were up until 2200 or later. Somewhere in there we had to find time to get our laundry done.
There was no morning PT. Other then the PT Test, the only PT was on the days "Leading PT" was evaluated.
The course can seem like BS at times, and it can feel like going through Basic again, but it's a good course. I know I was very fortunate to have been teamed up with some great soldiers who were there to learn. I saw some squads that had a difficult time because they had one (or more) solders who just didn't want to get along (the whole I'm a real soldier because I'm an 11b and you're not thing (just one example)).
Sounds like a good time! Yeah, my "AIT" descrpition was very base, we always did a LOT more, but it was just a general description. It sounds like what we got to do at Ft Hood when we MOB'd. Ahh, the memories.
I took a WLC course while mobilized to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, so things were quite a bit more laid back than Shelby will be I'm sure, but I can still offer some valid advice.
The biggest struggle we faced was the initial PT test. I'm sure your chain of command has stressed this already, but the cadre are more serious about this PT test than any other you've probably taken. At Basic and AIT I had graders that counted push-ups and sit-ups that probably shouldn't have been counted, but since it's a numbers game in the end they usually gave you the nod if you're on the verge of passing. Don't expect any leniency at WLC. A failure on the initial PT test at WLC will mean a retake about a week later and a second failure means a "Marginal" evaluation for the course. It would be a shame to shine in every area of the course but still walk away with a "Marginal." Of course a "marginal" 1059 is still a 1059 showing you passed the course, but you can kiss any hopes of high promotion goodbye with one.
Aside from the PT test, a lot of us struggled during the tactical portion of the final STX. A lot of MOS's don't depend on tactical knowledge but everyone should still have a basic knowledge of tactics and the confidence to make decisions on the fly. Our cadre would play this by ear. If a soldier was struggling they would turn up the heat until they wanted to break down and give up because they had no idea what to do next. If a soldier was absolutely rocking they would "kill" that soldier off and see how his team leaders would pick up the pieces and run with them. Make sure you know basic hand and arm signals (the RIGHT ones) and how to call in a 9-line MEDEVAC and a Call-For-Fire beforehand. You should have access to the relevant FMs and TMs, but the week of classroom time will have you busy enough without having to relearn things you might not have thought about since Basic. You'll hit the ground running in the field and you don't want to be the guy trying to remember what to do next when it hits the fan, and it will.
The classroom portion is what it is. Some of it will be a refresher to get you ready for the field, some will cover the counseling and rating system, and some will seem like a test to see if you can keep your eyes open.
Oh, and make sure you have at least one perfectly squared away set of ACUs for your first formation, all the way down to a shining flag. The most entertaining part of WLC was the initial showdown inspection! I hadn't had to work so hard not to laugh in a formation since Basic.
No, you will get a marginal 1059 instead of "achieved course standard". They dont send anyone home for failing. Everybody graduates nowadays. The newer softer Army I guess.
Originally posted by MikeOC1: No, you will get a marginal 1059 instead of "achieved course standard". They dont send anyone home for failing. Everybody graduates nowadays. The newer softer Army I guess.
So does that mean I will need to retake WLC to get an "achieved course standard"? Does the 1059 negatively impact promotion, i.e. a flag? My question now becomes, should I put it off a few months or next year (whenever the TNCO can get me rescheduled) when I am ready and able to pass?
Someone more qualified could probably answer this question better, but as far as I know a marginal 1059 won't become an issue until you're in the running for E-8 or E-9. I know for sure it doesn't flag you for getting E-5 because WLC isn't a prerequisite for promotion to E-5, although I think you have to attend the course within a certain time after accepting a slot.
In recent months our state (MO) has instituted policies to minimize the number of "marignals" returning from WLC. Soldiers now have to pass a record APFT within 60 days prior to attending the course.
As far as I know WLC is a one-shot deal. If you get a marginal the first time they won't spend the money to send you through again.
Yeah, my "AIT" descrpition was very base, we always did a LOT more, but it was just a general description. It sounds like what we got to do at Ft Hood when we MOB'd. Ahh, the memories. 
