Tag: tbs

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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General OCS Advice

“Embrace the Suck Moments” of The Basic School

“Embrace the Suck” is a mantra you will become very familiar with over the course of your Marine Corps service. “Embrace the suck” means, yes, this situation sucks, but lean in and accept the challenge as much as possible. The following blog includes a list of what I believe to be the 8 most “Embrace the Suck Moments” of the USMC’s The Basic School (TBS). … Continue reading “Embrace the Suck Moments” of The Basic School

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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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The Basic School

My Journey from Civilian to Marine Officer, Part III: TBS

Thank you to Lieutenant Schmuckatelli, a new Infantry Officer, who is sharing his journey through OCS and TBS with us. (Read Part 1: Pre-OCS here and Part 2: OCS here) The Basic School: You’re Not at OCS Anymore After 10 weeks of being a high-strung candidate having every waking moment scheduled for me, I was now a Commissioned Officer beginning the Basic Officer Course at … Continue reading My Journey from Civilian to Marine Officer, Part III: TBS

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Q&A, The Basic School

GPS Watches at OCS and TBS

Candidate Question I PT with a GPS watch and I want to know if GPS watches are allowed at OCC. I understand the watches will have to be all black. Thank you for your post and support. Answer No, you cannot use a GPS watch (or usually any watch at all) during OCS. For much of TBS, you cannot use a GPS watch either, just a … Continue reading GPS Watches at OCS and TBS

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The Basic School

TBS Housing Question

Candidate’s Question Do new officers have to live on base in the officer’s barracks at The Basic School? Can they stay off-base or rent an apartment nearby? Answer The majority of students at The Basic School will live in barracks on-base. If you are married and living nearby with your spouse, you will get a room on base but be considered a “brown-bagger,” commuting most … Continue reading TBS Housing Question

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The Basic School

The Basic School Camp Barrett Map

Below you can see the overview of the entire Marine Corps Base Quantico. (Gray in the non-satellite or “after” map view) Mainside “Quantico mainside” is to the east of I-95, and contains Officer Candidates School and the bulk of the rest of the support staff and other units at MCB Quantico. [twentytwenty] [/twentytwenty] TBS Location The Basic School is located to the west amidst the … Continue reading The Basic School Camp Barrett Map

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Q&A, The Basic School

Can I Drop an Air Contract for a Guaranteed MOS?

Candidate Question I’m looking at switching from an Air Contract to a Ground Contract, but I really only want to if I can secure an 0203 Ground Intel Officer MOS (to possibly further go on to Recon). How hard is it to get a specific MOS at TBS? I am in pretty good shape, I can stick with most candidates and run a 285+ PFT … Continue reading Can I Drop an Air Contract for a Guaranteed MOS?

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Q&A

Q&A With a Successful OCS Graduate

Many thanks to a gracious Second Lieutenant at TBS who took part in a Q & A session with us to share advice after his recent graduation from OCS. Feel free to follow up with any questions or comments of your own below! How would you characterize your overall experience at OCS? My experience at OCS was that of an up/down adventure. There are good days, … Continue reading Q&A With a Successful OCS Graduate

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The Basic School

How TBS Differs From OCS

Fact: OCS Is Different from TBS PT is less running, more packing Order writing matters Flexibility in the field, “Be Prepared To Change” Academics are memorization, broad and different on each exam Be efficient with your time; get uniforms before you need them, study, prep gear, etc. So you’re heading to The Basic School. Congratulations, TBS is the next big step in your career as … Continue reading How TBS Differs From OCS

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