The Marine Corps Basic School: A Crucible of Physical, Academic, and Tactical Challenges

The Marine Corps Basic School is a grueling seven-month program that trains newly commissioned second lieutenants for the leadership roles they will fulfill in the future. This rigorous training challenges officers physically, academically, and tactically to prepare them for the challenges they will face in combat scenarios.

Chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan spent five days at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, observing five different companies in various stages of training. During their time at The Basic School, Marine Corps officers are trained to lead enlisted Marines in combat situations. Part of this training involves officers taking on the roles of enlisted Marines to gain firsthand experience in the tasks they will later delegate to their subordinates.

The culminating event of The Basic School is The War, a crucible where students are divided into opposing forces and must strategically battle to seize and defend a city. This intense training not only prepares officers for combat but also teaches them valuable leadership skills that will serve them well throughout their careers.

In addition to American service members, The Basic School also hosts officers from countries like Greece, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands. This diversity in attendance adds a unique international perspective to the training program. By working with students from different backgrounds and cultures, officers gain valuable insights into how to effectively lead diverse teams in combat situations.

The insights gained from inside The Basic School offer a glimpse into the intense and comprehensive training that new Marine Corps officers undergo as they prepare to lead their fellow Marines in the field. From physical fitness tests to academic courses on military strategy, there is no shortage of challenges that students must overcome during their time at The Basic School. But with determination and hard work, these young officers emerge from this rigorous program ready to take on any challenge that comes their way as leaders in the Marine Corps.