The things you learn in the classroom will actually come into play once you find yourself in the field.

— Capt Nicholas Bukovac

At Officer Candidates School, you will take courses in military subjects that train you to begin thinking like an officer. You’ll study topics such as land navigation, maneuver tactics and general orders, then apply what you’ve learned during tactical exercises. You'll also study Marine Corps history, traditions, operations and organization.

Both in the classroom and in field exercises, you’ll be evaluated on your ability to recall important details and put them to use. These evaluations confirm you have gained the foundation of knowledge necessary to earn a commission and advance to The Basic School.