When did WLC (formerly PLDC) become a mandatory prerequisite for promotion to staff sergeant?

The correct answer is 1986 because that is the year when the Army officially changed the promotion policy, making the Warrior Leader Course (WLC), previously known as the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), a mandatory requirement for promotion to the rank of staff sergeant. This shift in policy was part of a broader effort to enhance the leadership skills of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and ensure that they were adequately prepared for the responsibilities associated with higher ranks. By instituting this requirement, the Army aimed to improve the overall effectiveness of its leadership and ensure that NCOs had the necessary training to guide and manage their subordinates effectively.

The other years listed do not reflect this pivotal change in promotion policy, as the requirement specifically took effect in 1986, setting the stage for future training and leadership development initiatives within the Army.