I was a private, when I was selected to go on ISCC (Infantry Section Commander Course). My unit ran a two week pre-course of about 8 people to determine who would fill the 4 slots available.
At the time, I had 3 years in, and looking forward to finally getting a QL4 course, (ANY QL4 ) so that i'd qualify for corporal. When I was told that i'd be trying out for the ISCC I thought I lacked the experience required. I idolized the Mcpls I knew, and didn't see myself as being cut from the same cloth.
They did however, as it was one in particular, a newly minted sergeant who recommended me. I had been a bit of a 'grey man' until then, but he'd seen my potential.
I earned my spot, beating out a few corporals, who had been around for a while, (though truth be told, I don't think a couple of them really wanted to go anyway.) ISCC was pretty hard-going.
On that course I was one of three privates. By mid course, we had lost so many candidates that we had to amalgamate with another course just to have the numbers required to perform section attacks.
Towards the end, the staff found out that I didn't have a QL4 yet. Apparently it was a requirement of any private who had been loaded.
Due to my performance thus far, I was given a waiver. Something to the effect of 'get a QL4 within X number of months of gradutating, or the ISCC qualification is null and void.'
After surviving that course, I was loaded onto the next available QL4; Comms.
I was DAP'd to Master Corporal four months later.
During the ISCC I had felt like I was drowning. Even with 3 years as a private, I was drinking from the proverbial fire hose. I credit the skill of my instructors in force-feeding me the info, and my own stubborness for getting me through.
I have been a very successful leader, (not to honk my own horn, but my PERs will have to attest) but in retrospect, I subsequently resisted attempts by my unit to send privates to subsequent JLC courses. I wanted to spare them the 'sink or swim' situation I was tossed into. I was always of the opinion 'Give Pte Bloggins another year. If you think he's ready and might pass now, then with another year to mature, he might top the course.'
After becoming a sergeant, I instructed a young soldier on her JLC. In her case, she had finished her basic training, and almost immediately was sent on her JLC as a private. Within a couple months of passing that course, I met her again at the RCR Battleschool in Meaford. She was slated as my 2ic, instructing on QL3 Infantry. Just prior to the course starting up, she got her DAP to Master Corporal.
Many of the other instructors despised her. 1) She was so young, and promoted way too fast. (one of the candidates on the course had trained aongside her the previous year, before having been medically RTU'd)
2) She was a female.
The consensus seemed to be 'she should NOT be here. Let's watch her go down in flames.'
I could not let this happen. I sat in on most lessons she taught, just to make sure that she taught the troops properly. Experience was a big part. When teaching the C9, it became aparant that she'd passed her handling test, but had never actually acted as a C9 gunner on any exercise for instance, so she was unclear on the best methods to handle the weapon.
I mentored her, and tried to make her the best NCO and instructor she could be. Given smashed eggs...you try to make an omelette.
She went on to eventually become a sergeant, though there are various opinions on how effective she was in the role.
I think i'm digressing.
My point is that some privates will have what it takes, others wont. Some will go through and pass...but this should be considered a 'learners permit'. They may need mentoring by others to grow into becomming effective leaders.
). 
