DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

3RD NCOA, 154TH REGIMENT (RTI)
3500 “C” AVENUE
CAMP SHELBY, MS 39407-5500

NGMS-RTI-NCO 08 October 2021

MEMORANDUM FOR MASTER LEADER COURSE LEARNERS

SUBJECT: Welcome Letter for Master Leader Course Class 002-22

1. Congratulations on your selection to attend the Master Leader Course (MLC)

occurring; MLC is a 15-day resident course focusing on leadership, operations
management, joint operations, and communication that assist in preparing you to
transition from a tactical leader to an operational leader. Prospective students will
benefit significantly from a review of the following publications: ADP 3-0, ADP 5-0,
ADP 6-0, ADP 6-22, and JP 5-0.

2. COVID 19: Due to COVID 19 mitigation, the Diagnostic ACFT (scores will be utilize
for data collecting and analysis only) and HT/WT will implement COVID-19 mitigation
measures. Current and future precautions are taking place to reduce the possible
transmission of the virus. A negative COVID PCR test within 72 hours of reporting
will be required for attendance. Students will go through the screening station
(temperature check and answer screening questions) prior to entering classrooms, social
distancing will be maintained and cleaning of equipment as required. Bring your own
mask to Camp Shelby; are required to enter AAFES facilities such as PX and Military
Clothing Sales.

3. Reporting: To the 3rd NCO Academy, 154th Regiment (RTI), Master Leader
Course Learning Center, building 3575 in (room 111). Camp Shelby, MS, 39407,
from 1300 to 1500hrs in OCP’s on 02 November 2021. At this time, you will meet
your facilitators, receive an orientation, conduct in processing, classroom
assignments, parking instruction, and in brief from MLC. If travel issues delay your
arrival, text 1SG Cook at 662-444-5555 with your name and approximate arrival
time at Camp Shelby.

a. Driving Directions (strip map enclosed): Camp Shelby is located in

south Mississippi, 10 miles south of Hattiesburg on Highway 49. Due to
current Force Protection measures, all students must enter thru the South
Gate. A valid Common Access Card, vehicle registration, and proof of
insurance are required.

1. After you have entered through the South Gate, you will pass
over a set of railroad tracks. Continue on straight until you reach
a stop sign. Turn right. At the next stop sign, (about 250ft.) turn
left. Continue and you will see the Post Parade Field on your
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right. The next intersection you will encounter is a Y intersection;

stay to the right, and at the stop sign make a right turn. You are
now on Lee Avenue. Continue on Lee Avenue until you reach
37th Street. After making the 37th street left turn, follow the road
until you see a brown sign in front of our HQ Building. It will read
“154th Regiment (RTI) Headquarters, Building 3500.” Turn into
that parking lot and you will see an arch with the caption “3 rd Non-
Commissioned Officer Academy.” After in processing, students
will not park in the RTI Headquarters parking lot. The HQ 154th
RTI parking lot is for Cadre/Staff only. Student parking is limited
to the South and East parking lots surrounding the student
barracks and the Dining Facility (DFAC) parking areas (see
enclosed overview of RTI Area).

Commercial Travel Arrangements: It is the Units responsibility along with the

Soldier to setup travel arrangements to get to and from Camp Shelby, MS.
Students traveling prior to report date will be responsible for their own
transportation and lodging. The closest airport that provides rental cars is GPT
Gulfport Biloxi International Airport. It is fifty miles from the airport to Camp
Shelby. Transportation arrangements should have you arriving earlier enough to
report for training on time.DO NOT SCHEDULE A DEPARTURE TIME BEFORE
the last date of the course and NO EARLIER THAN 1300. Email your itineraries
to [email protected] or contact 3rd NCOA at 601-558-2976 or 662-
444-5555.

C. Alternative Travel Arrangements: It’s the unit responsibility along with the
Soldier to set up travel arrangements. The price for UBER XL is $145.00 and
Taxi cost is approximately $140.00 from GPT

4. Registration: The class self-enrollment steps will not be available for

registration until 10 days prior to day 0..

5. You will receive an email with self-enrollment login instructions NLT 10 days of
the course start date. In the event account information is not receive in this
timeframe, check your "Junk Email" folder and contact the facilitator that sent your
welcome packet.

6. Once your enrollment is approved, follow the instructions on the blackboard

“Getting Started” page and upload all prerequisite documents:

 Prerequisite Reflective Essay (PRE)

 Pre-Execution Checklist (PEC)
 Last Record APFT DA Form 705
 MLC Student Data Sheet
 DA 3349 signed by your unit commander (Required)
 DD 1610 or Travel orders
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It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the Blackboard.com page and

submit all required documents prior to Day 0.

***Students will submit these documents to their facilitator prior to the start of the
course (via Blackboard). Any corrections MUST be resubmitted NLT 72hrs, after
the course start date. Students who cannot produce all documents within the
72hrs time frame will be administratively dis- enrolled.***

7. Prerequisite Reflective Essay (PRE): A course requirement; therefore, you

must complete and submit the essay. The intent of this PRE is for your facilitator
to get a feel for your writing style and capability. Follow the instructionson the
Blackboard.com page and submit your Prerequisite Reflective Essay NLT 3
days prior to class report date of the course, 2359 MST. Please note the
following:

a. You will write a reflective (descriptive) essay on your Distributed Leader

Course (DLC) IV experience answering the question “What was the most
important part ofDLC IV and how did it change you?” (If you did not complete
DLC IV, write the essay from the perspective of Structured Self Development
(SSD) IV.)

b. The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to

describe something—object person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc.
This genre encourages the student’s ability to create a written account of a
particular experience. What is more, this genre allows for a great deal of
artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image that is vivid and moving
in the mind of the reader). For more details, see
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/des
cri ptive_essays.html

c. You will write in a clear and concise manner while using correct grammar,
sentences structure, and word usage. You must provide a coherent transition
from one topic to the next using the provided rubric as a general guideline.
Your essay must be in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced, APA 7th
Edition,STUDENT PAPER, NO RUNNING HEADS, NO ABSTRACT. Your
Essay must possess a minimum of three scholarly references within your
reference page.

d. Your paper must be three to five pages in length not including your title
and reference page. It must be in MS Word format and submitted in
Blackboard. The PRE is a course requirement, and due NLT 3 days prior
to class report date.

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e. By submitting this paper, you agree:

1. You are submitting your paper to be utilize and stored as part of the
Safe Assign™ services in accordance with the Blackboard Privacy Policy.

2. 3rd NCO Academy institution may use your paper in accordance with
institution’s policies.

3. Your use of Safe Assign will be without recourse against Blackboard

Inc. and its affiliates.

4. 3rd NCO Academy institution Release Statement:

a) Please be advised that your submission is compared against
global reference databases for plagiarism.

f. This reflective essay does not weigh into your final GPA, however, it’s
used to assess other areas of your Service School Academic Evaluation
Report (DA Form 1059), please do the best that you can.

8. Consider taking advantage of the opportunity to complete the JP 3-0 Joint

Operations course as it will enhance your insight to the course and education
as a lifelong learner. The following course is optional; it is not a prerequisite for
MLC Resident.

a. This course is a general overview of fundamental principles for joint

operations andthe application of operational art and design in the planning
execution, and assessment of joint military operations. Course describes a
systems perspective for organizing for joint operations. YOU ARE NOT
REQUIRED TO TAKE THE EXAM. Undergraduate college credit is available,
free of charge, for the successful completion of any DOCNET course and its
accompanying exam. The American Public University System, a nationally
accredited online university system, will grant one undergraduate credit hour in
the military science category for each DOCNET course completed. Select
College Credit from the menu to learn more. Note: Availability of this service
does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship by the Department of Defense.

b. Time required varies based on the student's purpose: Overview (2.0 hours)
Totalcourse runtime without assessment at a minimum Overview with self-
assessment (2.25 hours) Total course runtime including course exam
Education course (6.0 hours) total course runtime including course
examination and reading of all primaryand supplementary references. Use
the link provided to register and access the course
https://www.jcs.mil/Doctrine/DOCNET/JP-3-0-Joint-Operations/

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9. Additional Information:

a. MLC classroom instruction will be conducted through weekends and any training
holidays

b. Quarters: You will reside in the Camp Shelby Billets (maid services) at a cost of
$24-28.00 per night. Billeting costs will be reimburse to you when you submit your
travel voucher at your unit. If you have made prior reservations and check in after
hours, you may pick up your key at Bldg. 6606, MP Station (Located on West Lee
Avenue and 1st Street; through the South Gate Entrance). You do not need to make
billeting arrangements prior to reporting unless you are arriving before the report
date. You may stop by Camp Shelby Billeting after in processing for your room
assignment. Directions to billeting and police station will be given at in processing.
Check in time is 1300-1600, at Bldg. 2101 (Lee Ave and 21st Street) Check out time
is at 0830, Bldg. 2101. Camp Shelby Billeting accepts most major credit cards.
Camp Shelby Billeting is located approximately 1.5 miles from the MLC Classrooms
and DFAC.

c. Rations are provided for and are served at the DFAC. Meal times are listed in the
training schedule is located on Blackboard.com. Soldiers will pay for meals on the
first and last day of the course (reimbursable through travel voucher). Meal costs
are: Breakfast $7.05, Lunch $7.40, Dinner $8.10

d. Rental Car Authorization: Please be advised that lodging for Students is

NOTwithin walking distance of the 3rd NCO MLC Academy. Any authorization
for rental cars willcome from the home/parent unit. 3rd NCO MLC Academy IS
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RENTAL CAR AUTHORIZATIONS.

e. Minimum items to bring with you:

1. CAC (ID)

2. Three copies of your Military orders (DD Form 1610)

3. Army Service Uniform (ASU) will be worn at graduation (Tropical B
uniform April-September, ASUs October-March). All Soldiers are required
to bring a complete and serviceable ASU with all decorations and awards.
This is to be worn on graduation day. If Soldier fails to bring their ASU or
obtain their ASU within 48 hours the Soldier will be counseled and
removed from any Academic Honors and may be released from the course
at the Commandants discretion.

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4. Army Combat Uniform (OCP),

5. APFU (cold weather, if applicable), and gear with reflective belt.

6. DA 3349 (if your alternate event is anything other than the 5K
Rower or 12K Bike, provide a copy of your DA 3349 ASAP so that
arrangements can be made prior to the Diagnostic ACFT).

f. Camp Shelby facilities:

1. ATM: Located outside the PS, and outside the Credit Union BLDG.
6500

2. Laundry: Washers and dryers are located in billeting and Building

3600L.

3. Medical services: All medical issues will be referred to the TMC or a

local area hospital.

4. Post Exchange: The PX offers a variety of electronics, clothing, food

and toiletry items. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 0900-1700 and
Saturday-Sunday0900-1600.

5. Military Clothing: Hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday 0900-1700,

Saturday 0900-1500 and Sunday Closed.

6. Mailing information:
a. 3rd NCOA Training Battalion
ATTN: MLC (Your Name)
3500 “C” Avenue
Camp Shelby, MS 39407-5500

b. Telephone numbers:
Student Operations: (601) 558-2482/2207
After duty hours: (601) 558-2167
MLC Chief of Training: (601) 558-2976/2988

c. Billeting Office:
Shelby Housing Office
2101 21st Street
Camp Shelby, MS 39407-5000
Phone: 601-558-2500
Reservation email: [email protected]

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10. Again, congratulations on your selection to attend MLC. We look forward to your
participation in this very important course. Your experience in the course and critical
feedback is invaluable in our effort to delivering the best outcome-based education for
future Master Sergeants.

11. Your host for the MLC is the 3rd NCO Academy, 154th Regiment (RTI), Camp Shelby,
MS, which provides a state of the art facility located to the south of Hattiesburg, MS. The
address for 3rd NCOA is: 3500 C Avenue, Camp Shelby, MS39407. If you have any
questions concerning the 3rd NCOA and Camp Shelby, you may contact the 3rd NCOA
MLC Chief of Training, 1SG Wanda Cook at [email protected] or (601) 558-
2976/2988

ENCL LARRY W. ODOM

RTI Area Overview CSM, MSARNG
Camp Shelby – NCOA strip map Commandant

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154th Regiment (RTI) Overview

Legend:

1. MLC Learning Center Bldg. 3575/Facilitator Office, Room 110

2. 3rd NCOA Operations (top of the stairs) BLDG 3500
3. DFAC Bldg. 3514
4. MLC Classrooms Bldg. 3575/ Rooms 107 and 109
5. Track
6. RTI Auditorium BLDG 3577
7. Student Parking (do not park in the circle by the auditorium)
8. Cadre Parking (off limits to students)
9. DFAC Parking (additional parking for students)

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ENLC 2