Category: The Basic School

Leadership, Leadership Reaction Course, The Basic School

70% Solution: The Marine Corps Framework for Making Battlefield Decisions

By Ty Kiisel (ondeck) Field commanders need to make decisions in less-than-perfect conditions on the battlefield all the time, so the Marine Corps created a framework their officers learn to help them make command decisions—even if they don’t have all the information or the troop strength they’d like to have to ensure success. Leading a small business might not be the battlefield, but sometimes requires … Continue reading 70% Solution: The Marine Corps Framework for Making Battlefield Decisions

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Leadership, The Basic School

Five Horizontal Themes for USMC TBS

The School’s “Five Horizontal Themes” define the expectations of every student officer at TBS. A Leader of Exemplary Character Selflessly devoted to leading Marines 24/7. Has a clear understanding that a Marine commission brings with it “special trust and confidence” and the highest expectations of the American people. Devoted to our Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment Possesses a moral compass that unerringly points … Continue reading Five Horizontal Themes for USMC TBS

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The Basic School

The Basic School for Marine Corps Officers

Introduction and background The Basic School (TBS) is where all newly commissioned and appointed (for warrant officers) United States Marine Corps officers are taught the basics of being an “Officer of Marines”. The Basic School is at Camp Barrett, Quantico, Virginia, in the south-west of the Marine Corps Base Quantico complex. Each year over 1,700 new officers are trained, representing such commissioning sources as the … Continue reading The Basic School for Marine Corps Officers

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Education, Leadership, OCS Tips & Training, The Basic School

The Marine Brief: SMEAC

As an Officer Candidate, you will be communicating in a new way, the military way. And this will begin by giving a brief or operational order to your peers and instructors at OCS and TBS. The faster you can learn the structure, the quicker you will build your confidence in your presentations. Candidates will have a much easier time with a basic understanding of SMEAC … Continue reading The Marine Brief: SMEAC

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OCS Tips & Training, The Basic School

The Most Ingenious Gear and Tips (or gift ideas!) for OCS and TBS

The Marine Corps seems to embrace difficulties in an extreme way, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with working harder rather than smarter. Here are the best tips from our fans for equipment and mindset approaches to help you succeed at OCS and TBS. Avoid blisters and chafing with vaseline “Using vaseline during night was a lifesaver. I had candidates from … Continue reading The Most Ingenious Gear and Tips (or gift ideas!) for OCS and TBS

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The Basic School

Basic School Q&A with a TBS Instructor

Thanks to Capt Baumann, TBS instructor and former Staff Platoon Commander, for answering our fans questions on our Instagram. Follow us on Instagram for more great content and opportunities to interact with Marine Officers! When you pick your MOS do you then leave TBS and go to the school of your MOS? There’s often a small wait until school starts (few weeks/months); you’ll likely hang … Continue reading Basic School Q&A with a TBS Instructor

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The Basic School

TBS Q&A from a Marine Captain Instructor

Captain Charles J. Baumann was a Warfighting Instructor at The Basic School from July 2017 to July 2020 and has a diverse arrangement of experience.  While at TBS, Captain Baumann was the Motor Transport Platoon Commander, a Staff Platoon Commander for India Company 1-19, a Staff Platoon Commander for Fox Company 6-19, and the Primary Instructor for the Convoy Operations Package of The Basic School.  … Continue reading TBS Q&A from a Marine Captain Instructor

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The Basic School

Top 9 Pieces of Advice for The Basic School

Headed to TBS? This advice is for you from a recent TBS graduate. Enjoy! Congratulations and welcome to the gun club.  A few things. The Big Suck 1) TBS is a lot of fun, but also more challenging than OCS. Make sure you get away from the barracks as much as is reasonable. Otherwise, you risk burnout. Go to DC, Annapolis, Alexandria, wherever just get … Continue reading Top 9 Pieces of Advice for The Basic School

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OCS Tips & Training, The Basic School

Planning Your Marine Commissioning Ceremony

Planning a Marine Commissioning Ceremony You graduated PLC and walked across the parade deck. Now, you’ve graduated college and are ready to officially become a 2ndLt. Unlike your OCC peers, the events, location and timing of your Marine commissioning will be almost entirely up to you to plan. Uniforms Take note, even though uniforms come “tailored” you will need to get them redone by a tailor … Continue reading Planning Your Marine Commissioning Ceremony

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Marine OCS Graduation
Families, The Basic School

Marine OCS Graduation

Marine Officer Candidate School Graduation is finally here! The day has finally come when you get to see your Candidate walk across the parade deck at Marine Officer Candidate School Graduation! It’s been a long 10 weeks as they have been away in Quantico. Here are our tips for getting the most out of the Family Day and Marine Officer Candidate School Graduation.   Most … Continue reading Marine OCS Graduation

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