Training (BCT, WOCS, etc) and Family

[01CelicaGTS]

So, I'm on my way to submitting my WOFT packet, and I have some questions about what happens afterward. I'm planning on getting my packet in by the end of the month or so, and hopefully getting selected soon after. If that all works out, I'll probably ship around February. The problem is, that my wife and I just found out that we are expecting our second child, and my wife is due at the end of March.

 

So, my question is, what happens if my wife goes into labor while I'm at basic? Will I get to go be with her? What if she goes into labor while I'm at some other school (WOCS, etc). Hopefully it's not during SERE training, because I know I wouldn't be able to leave that .

 

 

On another note, how exactly does the training go? Like what comes between BCT and IERW?

[akscott60]

BCT and IERW?

 

Lets see:

WOCS

BOLC

DUNKER

SERE

AEROMED

 

As for kids, I dont know. I dont make kids. I am sure you can get out of some schools for kids, others, not so much.

[heloidaho]

My roommate during WOCS had a child, his first, while he was in candidate school. The only special treatment he got was a couple extra phone calls to ensure his wife was doing well. The leadership was really good about keeping him informed, but he was still a candidate and didn't get time off or anything extra.

 

Fort Rucker is a popular place to have children. Outside of being in BCT/WOCS/SERE, they are pretty good most of the time with giving time off for family. They even give paternity leave between different courses from time to time. Unfortunately if you ship in February, you'll be out of luck.

 

If you get selected, see if you can get a shortfall slot and leave earlier. If you make it through BCT and WOCS, you should be good to go. They might even push your SERE date back a couple weeks if your wife was about to give birth. BOLC would be super flexible with the process too.

[av8rnik]

So what is the point of BOLC right after WOCS? I thought BOLC was for commissioned officers (o-grades).

[akscott60]

We all go to BOLC. I had to wait almost 6 months, but lately I heard the wait is only six weeks.

[SBuzzkill]

I waited about 5 months. Best 5 months of flight school!

[heloidaho]

The wait is sometimes not even six weeks. The holds are way shorter.

[akscott60]

I wonder if LTs will get winged before pinning 1LT.

[heloidaho]

I think my class will be filled with butter bars at graduation.

[av8rnik]

So what is different with BOLC compared to WOCS?

[akscott60]

BOLC is just a 9-5, M-F academic course with a little shooting, land nav, and "field" work. It's relaxed and a virtual guaranteed pass.

 

WOCS is like BCT with more class work.

[av8rnik]

So when in the list of can your wife/family make the move to Rucker?

[heloidaho]

After WOCS and you in-process B Co, which happens on graduation day.

[akscott60]

If your wife has POA she can move into post housing while you are at WOCS. A few guys I know did that. I brought mine with me after I PCSd to Rucker right after WOCS.

[udairman71]

Since that was a PCS after WOCS the Army paid for her to move down, right?

[akscott60]

Yes. I did a PPM as well and made some money.

[av8rnik]

I know there has been some discussion about flexibility with family issues that come up but I was wondering about what happens if you have a death in your family, say a grandparent. Is there a way to attend a funeral for just a day or two during BCT, WOCS or anything where you are away in the field?

 

Also, what happens if someone gets injured during one of the training phases? Are they out of the track all together or rolled back with another class or continue on with their class?

[d10]

If you get someone to send a Red Cross message for a death in the family they'll usually let you out and roll you back to a new class when you return. Same with the injuries.

[av8rnik]

So for a family death, if you are gone for only a day or two they will still roll you back to another class?

[yakfishr19]

What is BCT like compared to WOCS which is harder and why?

[Bobsyouruncle]

The Army is so dumb sometimes. People are blowing their brains out in record numbers and the only thing they can think of is mandating a revamped PowerPoint presentation teaching "serenity now".

 

The answer is, and always has been to quit f#*king soldiers over.

 

Drhill, neither is very difficult, BCT is tedious because it's 9 weeks long, and it's more physical. WOCS isn't physical at all, but still just as pointless. The sad reality is many of the guys teaching are warrants that couldn't cut it, or are looking to hide from combat. Too many guys that have never deployed.

 

There really isn't a single good reason why you couldn't miss significant time in either, let alone a few hours if your child was born.

[av8rnik]

How much time do you have between BCT graduation and having to report to WOCS? Do most people just have a family member drive them?

[akscott60]

I rode a bus. No choice. Some people were able to ride with their family.

[av8rnik]

Bus as in get your own greyhound ticket or something the Army arranges? I guess that means it's a short reunion with family after graduation? My wife was wondering how the transition between BCT and WOCS works.

[akscott60]

Bus as in "private, get on that bus and shut the f*ck up".

 

Army transportation. Charter bus.