Preparing for the Operating Forces
The training has just begun
It is at Recruit Training and Officer Candidates School where young men and women who have prevailed over the world’s toughest training become basically trained Marines. But there is much more training required to ensure they become combat trained and ready to join the ranks of Marines in our Operating Forces. This is the training newly minted Marines must overcome to fight and win the battles of today and into the future for our Nation.
WORLD'S TOUGHEST SCHOOLS
After completing their basic and infantry training, Marines report to their assigned Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) School. It is here where they will become proficient in a selected specialty in the collective fight for our Nation.
training for the fight
The primary role of the School of Infantry is to ensure, first and foremost, that "every Marine a rifleman." All Marine Corps assets exist to support the rifleman on the ground, and every Marine is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the Marines to their left and right. Regardless of MOS, this is the training that ensures all Marines have the capability to fulfill his or her duties while operating in a combat environment.
SCHOOL OF INFANTRY (SOI)
This is the training that marks the transition from entry-level Marine to combat-ready Marine. At SOI, recently graduated enlisted Marines continue their education and training to become more proficient in the fundamentals of being a rifleman. Marines with a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of infantry are trained at the Infantry Training Battalion (ITB), while all non-infantry Marines are trained at the Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT). There are two Schools of Infantry: Camp Geiger located in North Carolina and Camp Pendleton in California.
Infantry Training Battalion
Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) is a 59-day course. The mission is to train, mentor, and evaluate Marines in the Infantry MOS with specific entry-level tasks under the leadership of Combat Instructors. Marines are instructed in marksmanship, patrolling, grenade usage, identifying and countering improvised explosive devices, and land navigation, among other various infantry skills. In doing so, the Infantry Training Battalion provides the Corps with Marines who are fully prepared for combat service.
SPECIALIZED OFFICER TRAINING
Through specialized training, each Marine Officer develops expertise in his or her MOS. This training takes place following their completion of The Basic School and will prepare them for the role of leading a platoon of Marines. Specialized Officer fields include:
- Ground
- Aviation
- Cyber
- Naval Justice School
RELATED CONTENT
