BNCOC Experience, Fort Eustis, Virginia Adventures

Graduation from an Army Non-Commissioned Officer school is an accomplishment, as soldiers must complete the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC) to be considered for promotion to Sergeant First Class and above. The course consists of four phases (as an 88M), which is an Army job-related program that teaches sergeants aspects of combat arms, combat support and service support. BNCOC is conducted at locations specific to an Army job, as in my case 88M, Motor Transport Operator, located at Fort Eustis, Virginia. My Phase 1 (Common Corps) was done at Camp Williams, Utah.

The purpose of the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (which is switching over to a new name called Advanced Leaders Course) provides training in leadership, management, technical and tactical skills to perform as Motor Transport squad leaders under varying field conditions and convoy operations. To compliment the training Small Group Instructors build on previously acquired skills (from BNCOC Common Corps – Phase 1 and WLC, Worrier Leader Course) while introducing new doctrine, new automated systems and equipment, and support for squad leader responsibilities. This includes squad leader duties, tactical convoy operations and movements, contemporary operating environments and lessons learned, and tactical and conventional decision-making. Stressed during the school were force protection, warrior leader, and AAR (After Action Review) skills.

There are stories on the Internet that state that this school was “easy” that “it was a joke and soldiers should know most of these skills already,” or “that school only taught basic skills I already know.” But I think the ultimate goal of an NCO school, such as BNCOC is to teach a baseline of material for soldiers, not just the ones that have been to theater, but to all soldiers so they can bring their vast knowledge into focus. An example would be convoy operations. In theater, there are many ways that soldiers can conduct convoy operations. The school teaches the basics on how TRADOC would want a convoy to be run. I also thing the schools focus on building quiet leaders and soldiers that have had limited overseas experience. Not everyone gets to go out on convoys, so these skills build on things that sergeants should already know and or can improve upon.

This was the final phase for me at BNCOC, which was conducted at Fort Eustis. The class was very well versed in its solder skills and 88M proficiency. Most of the soldiers did really well on the final exam as well. In fact, most of the soldiers did so well, Honor Graduate skewed the curve so only the few soldiers that got 100% on the exam got the honorable category on their diploma. This class also had the first female soldier to receive Distinguished Honor Graduate. The field exercise also showed the good leaders from the inexperienced. The 11Bs or infantry soldiers knew their tactics, mission and operation order tactics very well, and it showed up the soldiers that didn’t have this experience. It was an asset during the urban operation drills.

The curriculum at this final phase consisted of Warrior Leader Training, Urban Operations, React to a Possible Improvised Explosive Devices, Request Medical Evacuation, Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR), MOUNT (urban operations) training, Battle Damage Assessment and Repair (BDAR) Procedures, and US Weapons, to include the M2 50 Cal, M249, and M240B. Finally, the class participated in a Situational Training Exercise (STX), which was in a field environment where soldiers performed first hand urban and convoy operations, force protection, and other warrior related tasks. The STX was five days in the field, located at the far end of Fort Eustis off the James River at FOB Dragon. All I can say about that was it was cold.

Some brief highlights of the trip included convoy and urban operations, saving the photographer, saving the downed pilot and eradicating the town of insurgents. The chow was fare, but the kiddy chow hall (the chow hall where the basic training soldiers ate at) was much more appetizing that the 7th Transportation Group chow hall. And you would think the new and improved chow hall would be better? Eating out after graduation and the texting of our family and friends - More or less spamming and giggling was a major highlight and a release after the completion of the class. This is where the pickle showed up on the rental vehicle. Yes, I was concerned as well. Five days out in the FOB next to the James River in the dead of winter was exhilarating. I am glad there was heat in the tents. We had ALL our snivel gear on. I am thankful for polypropylene. Air and Rail movements were great classes as well and we got to ride the Fort Eustis Express with our loaded vehicles. I assisted in the Air Movement class as a primary instructor (as my class instruction), which was also an eventful class. Classes at the NCO academy were uneventful and the test was mostly easy. “It is what it is” was the class motto and everyone dealt with peer leadership as it was presented to him or her. Most of the experienced leaders stepped up to the plate and the day-to-day activities became routine. Graduation at the NCO academy was impressive as we sang the Transportation and Army song, and we recited the NCO Creed. And we were left to our own devices on the way home to our units. I hope everyone took something away from this experience. One of the speakers at graduation had an inspiring speech I wish I could have received a copy of. I’ll try to write what I heard in a future blog article, as it is relevant to my overseas experience. This final phase wrapped up the experience for me after graduation, and I was inspired by the talent in our class.

And finally, the highlight of the trip was graduation and a trip to the Virginia Mariners Museum prior to flight operations and home station. The museum was home to parts of the original ironclad submarine, the Monitor. I recommend that anyone visiting the area should go visit this museum. The docent said, “You should have at least three hours to spend in here to see everything.” I thought he was kidding by just looking at the entrance--it wasn’t a grand entrance and the buildings outside looked small. But we were deceived. The large inner rooms kept going on and on, with model ships, harbor buoys, the Monitor movies, old bottles and historic artifacts, and not to mention Navy submarine and ship exhibits, and parts of large wooded sailing vessels. I think you would need an entire day to see everything here.

Well that summarizes my trip to Virginia, and a peek for future soldiers visiting BNCOC and Fort Eustis. I will have to attend ANCOC (Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course) here. I am sure a new name will apply when I finally have to go back. But the adventure was fun and educational. I hope you enjoy your NCO schools and it just isn’t a “check the box” experience.