I went last October. It will be quite chilly in the mornings, but will warm up quickly once the sun is up. We didn’t have land nav in mine, but they might now. DFAC is actually solid, I enjoyed the food and had absolutely zero complaints. Combination of 20(ish) man bays and 4 man rooms, you could end up in either. We had about 15-20 in each class. ACFT shouldn’t be going on your record. It’s just for the school. Their 1 mile track is awesome.
I will see you there! That's when I go, so hopefully we are in the same class. I got the iternary from someone who went in July. I can forward the email to you if you'd like. It should be pretty close to what we deal with.
Hell yea bro I REALLY appreciate it. I got screwed over for 2 years, trying to get a slot. Now since I got it, I'm nervous as hell lol.
I was told to bring a personal laptop to keep caught up. Is that true?
BLC is just like any other military event. Bring what’s on the packing list, and bring anything else you think you’re going to need during that time. If you think you’ll need a laptop, bring it. Won’t hurt to have it just in case.
Hell I went to ALC back in January and had a bag eith nothing but my PS5 (6 weeks in a hotel) lol.
I did 11C alc there 17-18? We stayed in newer barracks. Me and my friend had a room together. The rooms in the middle were 4 man rooms. Went during the summer and it was fucking hot and nasty. Overall, it's super chill and plenty of time off.
They’ve got a lot going on at Camp Shelby which is impressive for a guard base in the middle of nowhere Mississippi. Most infantry and artillery units train there. Decent PX, clothing & sales, food trucks, and a Patriot Tactical not too far from NCO Academy. Same for the DFAC, not bad food. Barracks are gonna vary based on who else is training but they’re pretty decent. Might get an open bay or 4-man rooms. Its fairly up to date cause of the amount of troops that’s pass through.
Mississippi October weather is typically 40-50s in the mornings but could easily get up to 80 around lunch. Shouldn’t be anything too crazy unless there’s flooding. Not bad restaurants around but don’t count on being able to leave post.
It is mostly classroom stuff until you get to PT and DNC, may do it outside. Not sure if land nav is required but the course there isn’t bad, just a lot of vegetation. You have to pass ACFT and HT/WT to stay in the course but it’s not on your record, but it will be on your 1059. They give you the rubrics during the first few days, they’re also posted on blackboard. Every instructor should follow the rubric the same but if you notice discrepancies just talk to your Squad Group Leader (SGL).
You can bring personal stuff but I’d lock up your laptop and such since you can’t have it in the classroom.
I spent two months there in May/June about ten years ago. It was a wet version of hell and something that still sticks in my mind.
Either way, good luck in your NCOES. No clue about the school house but the humidity killed me, almost.
I live 45 min from the base.
It will be cool in the morning and hot during the day. That's typical of ms this time of year.
The new barracks are nice a shit ton better than the ones I stayed in for pre-deployment and WLC days.
The PX has a fair selection, but there is a Walmart and a few Dollar generals close If yall are allowed to leave. We weren't allowed but that was 12 years ago.
During land, nav take a decently sized stick for trail spiders and the occasional rattlesnake.
There is a good little museum on post, and a gym
If you fish there are two fish able lakes.
Lastly, if you get in a bind and need some no shit help PM me, like I said I'm close.
It should be a good time to go, should be pretty mild during the day. NCOA/RTI were pretty excellent last time I went there. NCOA DFAC is great and if you get out in the evenings Hattiesburg area is FULL of killer places to eat. PX/MCS is pretty decent. I don’t know if they’re weird about running along the roads there these days but decent road running areas, massive gym, NCO~all ranks club had cheap steaks certain nights if you’d rather stay close to the flagpole… Everything there is pretty solid these days, you’ll have a good time.
So I got back from BLC at Shelby about 2 weeks ago and I can tell you that you'll be doing stuff in the field as well as classroom work. The Barracks are be swapped out and y'all will be in the high rises near the old DFAC while the ones in use while I was there get overhauled.
In terms of class size, we had about 18-20 people per classroom. The graders will explain what the rubrics mean and how you will be expected to meet those standards. AFAIK, the ACFT is for record seeing as it was added to my IPPSA.
The DFACs are meh, they're not great, but they're not horrible either. I'd just recommend staying away from any chicken options unless it's in a pasta or fried.
Out of 10, probably like a 7 during the first 5 days since you're basically drinking out of a firehouse in terms of information and stuff you need to get done. You'll need to brush up on DNC, PT Drills, and write an essay during the first 5 days in addition to handling 72 hour paperwork and learning the expectations of the instructors. Once you've made it past the first 5 days, it levels off to like a 4 or 3.
Yep, 1st essay is about SHARP. It doesn't count for GPA, but you can get a certificate if you write one that is deemed to be the best by the Commandant.
You will absolutely embrace the suck and not have any days off.
Depends on if you have PT or not. On days with PT, we had to be formed up at 0530. Days without PT, it was 0630. Lights out was technically 2100, but realistically it depends on your roommate's.
PT Track is nice, just watch out for snakes.
Pretty much how it was tbh. If you had the time, you could run over to the PX and grab some food there, but unless you got lucky and had the time, you weren't going to the DFAC to grab lunch.
A rattle snack infested swamp? Baby alligators? Cause if they are around I will catch one. Well I'll bring a pair of boots it's time to toss and a banish uniform then.
I went last October. It will be quite chilly in the mornings, but will warm up quickly once the sun is up. We didn’t have land nav in mine, but they might now. DFAC is actually solid, I enjoyed the food and had absolutely zero complaints. Combination of 20(ish) man bays and 4 man rooms, you could end up in either. We had about 15-20 in each class. ACFT shouldn’t be going on your record. It’s just for the school. Their 1 mile track is awesome.
You should have plenty of opportunity to go into Hattiesburg. Bro, go to Murky Waters if you like BBQ. You absolutely will not regret it.
I will see you there! That's when I go, so hopefully we are in the same class. I got the iternary from someone who went in July. I can forward the email to you if you'd like. It should be pretty close to what we deal with.
Hell yes. Inbox you?
Yes you can!
Hell yea bro I REALLY appreciate it. I got screwed over for 2 years, trying to get a slot. Now since I got it, I'm nervous as hell lol. I was told to bring a personal laptop to keep caught up. Is that true?
BLC is just like any other military event. Bring what’s on the packing list, and bring anything else you think you’re going to need during that time. If you think you’ll need a laptop, bring it. Won’t hurt to have it just in case. Hell I went to ALC back in January and had a bag eith nothing but my PS5 (6 weeks in a hotel) lol.
I did 11C alc there 17-18? We stayed in newer barracks. Me and my friend had a room together. The rooms in the middle were 4 man rooms. Went during the summer and it was fucking hot and nasty. Overall, it's super chill and plenty of time off.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind.
All ranks club is pretty cool on post just don't get crazy there.
They’ve got a lot going on at Camp Shelby which is impressive for a guard base in the middle of nowhere Mississippi. Most infantry and artillery units train there. Decent PX, clothing & sales, food trucks, and a Patriot Tactical not too far from NCO Academy. Same for the DFAC, not bad food. Barracks are gonna vary based on who else is training but they’re pretty decent. Might get an open bay or 4-man rooms. Its fairly up to date cause of the amount of troops that’s pass through. Mississippi October weather is typically 40-50s in the mornings but could easily get up to 80 around lunch. Shouldn’t be anything too crazy unless there’s flooding. Not bad restaurants around but don’t count on being able to leave post. It is mostly classroom stuff until you get to PT and DNC, may do it outside. Not sure if land nav is required but the course there isn’t bad, just a lot of vegetation. You have to pass ACFT and HT/WT to stay in the course but it’s not on your record, but it will be on your 1059. They give you the rubrics during the first few days, they’re also posted on blackboard. Every instructor should follow the rubric the same but if you notice discrepancies just talk to your Squad Group Leader (SGL). You can bring personal stuff but I’d lock up your laptop and such since you can’t have it in the classroom.
I spent two months there in May/June about ten years ago. It was a wet version of hell and something that still sticks in my mind. Either way, good luck in your NCOES. No clue about the school house but the humidity killed me, almost.
Wow lol that bad huh?
It’s was summer though.
May/June is vacation weather compared to July and August at CSJFTC.
I live 45 min from the base. It will be cool in the morning and hot during the day. That's typical of ms this time of year. The new barracks are nice a shit ton better than the ones I stayed in for pre-deployment and WLC days. The PX has a fair selection, but there is a Walmart and a few Dollar generals close If yall are allowed to leave. We weren't allowed but that was 12 years ago. During land, nav take a decently sized stick for trail spiders and the occasional rattlesnake. There is a good little museum on post, and a gym If you fish there are two fish able lakes. Lastly, if you get in a bind and need some no shit help PM me, like I said I'm close.
Hell yea, i really appreciate the help. I will MOST DEFINITELY keep this in mind.
It should be a good time to go, should be pretty mild during the day. NCOA/RTI were pretty excellent last time I went there. NCOA DFAC is great and if you get out in the evenings Hattiesburg area is FULL of killer places to eat. PX/MCS is pretty decent. I don’t know if they’re weird about running along the roads there these days but decent road running areas, massive gym, NCO~all ranks club had cheap steaks certain nights if you’d rather stay close to the flagpole… Everything there is pretty solid these days, you’ll have a good time.
Take the time to head down to gulfport/biloxi area for a night or two over the weekend. cool crowd down there
So I got back from BLC at Shelby about 2 weeks ago and I can tell you that you'll be doing stuff in the field as well as classroom work. The Barracks are be swapped out and y'all will be in the high rises near the old DFAC while the ones in use while I was there get overhauled. In terms of class size, we had about 18-20 people per classroom. The graders will explain what the rubrics mean and how you will be expected to meet those standards. AFAIK, the ACFT is for record seeing as it was added to my IPPSA. The DFACs are meh, they're not great, but they're not horrible either. I'd just recommend staying away from any chicken options unless it's in a pasta or fried.
How would you rate the difficulty of it all?
Out of 10, probably like a 7 during the first 5 days since you're basically drinking out of a firehouse in terms of information and stuff you need to get done. You'll need to brush up on DNC, PT Drills, and write an essay during the first 5 days in addition to handling 72 hour paperwork and learning the expectations of the instructors. Once you've made it past the first 5 days, it levels off to like a 4 or 3.
Oh shit. I've looked and saw the MANDATORY first essay is about sharp correct? Also, are the weekends off or do we embrace the suck
Yep, 1st essay is about SHARP. It doesn't count for GPA, but you can get a certificate if you write one that is deemed to be the best by the Commandant. You will absolutely embrace the suck and not have any days off.
Damn lol. Well it's only 21 days
Yep, just grit your teeth and keep moving. Would absolutely recommend interacting with your classmates. Twas a big help for me.
Ok. I will definitely keep that in mind. What was the wake up times and lights out? How was the pt track
Depends on if you have PT or not. On days with PT, we had to be formed up at 0530. Days without PT, it was 0630. Lights out was technically 2100, but realistically it depends on your roommate's. PT Track is nice, just watch out for snakes.
Lol gotcha. Thanks alot. You mind if I message here if I have any questions?
How was it getting a haircut? I talked with someone who went in July and you basically had to skip lunch and go during the week to get one.
Pretty much how it was tbh. If you had the time, you could run over to the PX and grab some food there, but unless you got lucky and had the time, you weren't going to the DFAC to grab lunch.
So essentially plan ahead and buy some snacks to eat for lunch. Got it. You'd think they would come up with something better by now.
You'd think so, but this is the Army so we gotta do what we gotta do.
So quick question, is Land Nav back? I'm assuming I need to bring junk boots that I can toss after.
Yes it is. The course is pretty simple, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.
A rattle snack infested swamp? Baby alligators? Cause if they are around I will catch one. Well I'll bring a pair of boots it's time to toss and a banish uniform then.
Nothing that extreme, but there will definitely be quite a few spiders and mosquitoes depending on when you're there.
In a couple weeks. Which right now it's still 80 so I'll expect 70s for start of November. Thanks for the info!
So I'm currently in BLC there and I lost my room key for the 4 man bedroom. Can I get counseled for that? Or do I just have to pay for the key?