After earning a commission, your first assignment as a Marine Officer will be at The Basic School in Quantico, VA. In this intense six-month program, you’ll build on the skills learned as an officer candidate to turn your leadership potential into command experience.

Leadership, Knowledge and Esprit de Corps

It is a privilege to command Marines, and your responsibility as an officer to provide the best possible leadership. Guided by your mentors, you will build a foundation of leadership for life. In the classroom and in field exercises, you’ll gain the tactical knowledge you need to make critical command decisions and earn the respect of your Marines.

The Basic School instills a pride in the legacy you carry as a Marine Officer. As you study the history and traditions of the Marine Corps, you will become part of a lifelong brotherhood and gain the military virtue and bearing of an officer.

Preparing to Command

Training at The Basic School emphasizes the role of an infantry platoon commander. Patrolling and war-fighting tactics are among the skills you must further develop to lead your Marines by example. You will learn to mentor, train and develop the individual Marines in your command. You will also learn how your role contributes to the overall Marine Corps mission and organizational structure.

In the final phase, a five-day offensive/defensive exercise and a four-day combat exercise, beginning with a helicopter assault, will test everything you’ve learned.

You will leave The Basic School an effective leader, ready to command with confidence. Next, you’ll continue on to specialized training to develop expertise in your assigned Military Occupational Specialty.