Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System (NCOPDS) Requirements

The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System (NCOPDS) is the keystone for NCO development. The NCOPDS establishes an organizational framework to develop the next generation of competent and committed NCOs.

NCO’s develop as leaders throughout their career through progressive and sequential processes.  These processes incorporate training, education, and experience across three learning domains–Institutional, Operational, and Self-Development.

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Basic Leaders Course (BLC) is a branch-immaterial course that provides basic leadership training. BLC provides Soldiers an opportunity to acquire the leader skills, knowledge, and experience needed to lead team-level size units. BLC is a four week, non-MOS specific course conducted at sixteen Noncommissioned Officer Academies (NCOA) worldwide.

• Completion of DLC Level 1 is a prerequisite for attendance at BLC. Priority goes to SGT and SPC(P) who have not yet attended. Effective January 1, 2016, promotion to SGT requires Soldiers to complete BLC before pinning on the rank of SGT.
  

• Scheduling for BLC is done at installation level except for USAR-AGR Soldiers.
  

Advanced Leaders Course (ALC) is a branch-specific course that provides Soldiers selected for promotion to SSG an opportunity to enhance leadership, technical skill, tactical expertise and experience needed to lead squad-size units.

• Completion of DLC Level 2 is a prerequisite for attendance at ALC. Priority goes to SSG and SGT(P) who have not yet attended. Effective January 1, 2016, promotion to SSG requires Soldiers to complete ALC before pinning on the rank of SSG.
  

• Military Schools Branch is responsible for scheduling ALC
  

Seniors Leaders Course (SLC) is a branch-specific course that provides an opportunity for Soldiers selected for promotion to SFC to acquire the leader, technical, and tactical skills, knowledge, and experience needed to lead platoon-size units.

• Completion of DLC Level 3 is a prerequisite for attendance at SLC. Priority goes to SFC and SSG(P) who have not yet attended. Effective upon release of the FY 16 SFC Promotion Board, promotion to SFC requires Soldiers to complete SLC before pinning on the rank of SFC.
  

• Military Schools Branch is responsible for scheduling SLC.
  

Master Leaders Course (MLC) is a branch-immaterial course that provides an opportunity for Soldiers selected for promotion to MSG to acquire the leader skills required for success at both troop and staff assignments throughout the defense establishment. MLC is now a pre-requisite for promotion to MSG.

• Military Schools Branch is responsible for scheduling MLC.
  

Sergeants Major Course (SMC) is the capstone of enlisted training. Master Sergeants are prepared for both troop and staff assignments throughout the defense establishment. The SMC is task based and performance oriented. Areas of study include leadership, combat operations, sustainment operations, team building, communication skills, training management, and professional development electives.

• Completion of SSD Level 4 is a prerequisite for attendance at SMC.  MSG promotable only, will attend SMC. Promotion to SGM requires Soldiers to complete SMC before pinning on the rank of SGM. The SMC is a ten-month resident course conducted at Fort Bliss, TX. Selected individuals may complete the SMC by corresponding studies. Attendance to resident or non-resident training is determined by a Department of the Army Selection Board. Soldiers selected will attend the next resident SMC. Soldiers may be deferred for compassionate or medical reasons, but they may not decline once selected.
  

• Military Schools Branch is responsible for scheduling SMC.
  

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