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Showing posts from September, 2020

BOLC... The Fun Part!

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 But it wasn't me!  Of note, We did not have many privileges on base during the pandemic, aside from alcohol (in your rooms alone, at first). Some hotels have pools, but during the first few weeks our BOLC class was reprimanded for "partying at the pools" and the privilege was ripped out from under us. What?! Turns out, another group attending another course was the culprit, but we still weren't allowed to swim and gather until after the field was over. The field training and the weeks following were the days we all really got to know each other and I must say I really loved my platoon and my squad. We all got along really well together and each of us brought something special to the table.  Shout outs:      The Cunninghams, a married prior service couple who were well versed in weapon handling and "the way things are done", always eager to help with our multitude of issues and questions.     CPT Bentley, My roommate from DCC and battle buddy through the who

BOLC Courses/Learning

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 Hello everyone! I last left you with some pictures of my new hotel room (so grateful for that mattress after DCC), and I was just starting my 14 day quarantine here at Fort Sam. I'll briefly go over the difference between this training and my first assignment.  DCC (direct commission course) teaches you the very basic aspects of being a soldier such as marching, the Army values/Warrior Ethos, land navigation basics, and some shooting basics. There is of course some coursework in there that gets a bit more specific about things, but you get the idea. In Contrast, BOLC is a leadership course that teaches soldiers how to handle leadership positions that go along with holding a degree. BOLC at Fort Sam mainly handles medical training, so this class usually has dentists, physician assistants, nurses, NPs, and a few others. This training is NOT meant to teach you anything medical that coincides with your job-type. Instead, you learn techniques to lead and they familiarize you with how t