Army BLC Class Dates 2026 represent essential planning milestones for E5 soldiers aiming for E6 promotion, as the Basic Leader Course remains mandatory for sergeant advancement through the Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES), with specific report dates, start dates, and graduation ceremonies scheduled throughout the fiscal year at locations like the 7th Army NCO Academy, Fort Moore, and other regional training centers—classes typically run 22-25 days (expanding in late FY26) and require ATRRS enrollment with priority given to soldiers with promotion eligibility, making timely registration critical since walk-on slots fill fast and no-shows risk administrative drop from promotion lists.
What Is Army Basic Leader Course (BLC)?
Basic Leader Course transforms E5 soldiers into E6 sergeants capable of leading squads through mission command, physical training, and battle drills. Curriculum covers leadership doctrine (ADP 6-22), land navigation, weapons qualification, tactical planning, and communication skills. Recent updates emphasize fieldcraft over classroom time, with land navigation becoming a graded event starting FY26. Completion is non-waiverable for promotion to staff sergeant.
Official Army BLC Class Dates 2026 (7th Army NCO Academy)
| Class # | Report Date | Start Date | Graduation | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001-26 | 06 Oct 25 | 07 Oct 25 | 31 Oct 25 | Camp Normandy |
| 002-26 | 13 Nov 25 | 14 Nov 25 | 10 Dec 25 | Building 3380 |
| 003-26 | 05 Jan 26 | 06 Jan 26 | 30 Jan 26 | 0700 Formation |
| 004-26 | 09 Feb 26 | 10 Feb 26 | 06 Mar 26 | 7th Army NCOA |
| 005-26 | 16 Mar 26 | 17 Mar 26 | 10 Apr 26 | APO AE 09114 |
| 006-26 | 20 Apr 26 | 21 Apr 26 | 15 May 26 | Priority ATRRS |
| 007-26 | 22 May 26 | 23 May 26 | 18 Jun 26 | Walk-ons 0930 |
| 008-26 | 06 Jul 26 | 07 Jul 26 | 31 Jul 26 | Extended Course |
| 009-26 | 05 Aug 26 | 06 Aug 26 | 28 Aug 26 | Land Nav Graded |
| 010-26 | 03 Sep 26 | 04 Sep 26 | 30 Sep 26 | FY26 Schedule |
Other Major BLC Locations 2026
Fort Moore (Formerly Fort Benning) – Maneuver Center of Excellence
- Classes 011-26 through 030-26 (monthly rotations)
- 25-day extended format starting October 2025
- Primary location for combat arms MOS
Fort Bliss – 1st Armored Division NCO Academy
- Quarterly sessions for sustainment/logistics soldiers
- Spanish-language BLC available for WHINSEC students
Fort Cavazos – III Corps NCO Academy
- High-volume training for armor/cavalry units
- Priority for deploying battalions
How To Enroll In Army BLC 2026 Classes
- Check Promotion Eligibility: Must be E5 (or E4 with waiver) with 12 months TIG
- ATRRS Registration: Unit S1 submits via Army Training Requirements and Resources System minimum 90 days prior
- Report Requirements: Arrive Building 3380 at 0700 sharp on Report Date—no exceptions
- Walk-On Policy: Limited seats at 0930 for dropouts/standbys (first-come basis)
- Gear List: OCP uniform, TA-50, laptop, PT gear, sleep apnea device if applicable
BLC 2026 Course Changes You Need To Know
Extended Duration: Expanding from 22 to 25+ days starting FY26 with graded land navigation
Field Focus: Three additional days of tactical training, compass work, and night movements
ESB Integration: Expert Soldier Badge tasks now influence BLC practical exercises
Reserve/Guard Challenges: Longer course impacts civilian employment scheduling
Preparation Checklist For Army BLC Success
- Physical: ACFT score 540+ (especially push-ups, 2MR)
- Land Navigation: Master 12-digit MGRS grid plotting without GPS
- Weapons: Zero M4/M18, qualify Expert preferred
- Admin: Current PHA, weapons qual, no adverse UCMJ action
- Study: Memorize NCO Creed, Soldier’s Creed, leadership requirements model
Alternative BLC Schedules By Component
Active Duty: Monthly worldwide (priority combat arms)
Army Reserve: Quarterly at Fort McCoy, drill weekends prep
National Guard: State-specific at Camp Ripley, Camp Grayling
Functional BLC: MOS-specific at Fort Sam Houston (medical), Fort Gordon (signal)[
Contact Information For BLC Enrollment
7th Army NCO Academy: SFC Daniel Pureco (314) 569-0409, [email protected]
NCO Leadership Center of Excellence: Mr. William R. Ogletree, Director of Training
ATRRS Helpdesk: 1-877-892-6711
HRC Promotions: www.hrc.army.mil/enlisted-promotions
FAQs
Q: Can I Attend BLC Before Promotion Board?
A: Yes—complete BLC creates promotion point advantage, but must finish before E6 pin-on.
Q: What Happens If I Miss Report Date?
A: Marked “no-show” in ATRRS, dropped from class, must re-enroll next cycle.
Q: Is BLC Required For E6 Promotion?
A: Non-waiverable requirement for all components—Active, Guard, Reserve.