At The Basic School, new United States Marine Corps officers are put through a rigorous seven-month training program that challenges them physically, academically, and tactically. Chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan had the opportunity to spend five days inside The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, where he observed five different companies going through various stages of training.
One unique aspect of the training at The Basic School is that Marine Corps officers are sometimes required to play the roles of enlisted Marines. This hands-on experience allows them to better understand the tasks that they will be commanding their subordinates to perform in the future. The goal is to ensure that officers have a thorough understanding of each role within the Marine Corps.
The culmination of The Basic School training is a crucible known as The War. During this intense exercise, students are divided into opposing forces and must use their strategic skills to battle for control of a simulated city. This final test is designed to push students to their limits and prepare them for the challenges they may face in real combat situations.
In addition to American students, The Basic School also hosts service members from other countries. Countries like Greece, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands send their military personnel to train alongside American officers, providing a unique opportunity for international collaboration and learning. This diverse environment helps to strengthen relationships between different military forces and promotes a shared understanding of military strategies and tactics.