THE BASIC SCHOOL

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA

2ndLt Blackwell

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The Basic School

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaqQ832CeT0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MALaF5giVrE&NR=1

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What to bring

Everything on the packing list, plus: All uniforms, including sword items Many sets of rank insignia Flashlights, cammie paint, heater pads and all

other field related gear Padlocks Computer, printer, scanner / copier Warming layers Extra uniform items to give away to roommates Professional reading material Coffee maker

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TBS Scoring Breakdown

Leadership: Platoon, Company, and Tactical billets; command evaluations (done by your peers) Squad-level done at halfway point Platoon-level done at end of POI SPC rating counts for 90% of overall rating Leadership grade counts for 22% of total grade

Academics: ~11 Phase Exams distributed throughout the period of instruction (POI), two graded orders, two “surprise” exams (likely at night during FEX / after final E-course)

Military Skills: PFT, rifle range, pistol range, day and night land navigation, radio (PRC 119) test, weapons (M2, MK19, M240B, M249) disassembly and assembly testing

Constant observation

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Checking In: What to Expect One week of in-processing Lots of paperwork Redundancy Lost forms and documents Late nights Redundancy Green jackets of death Creative interpretation of USMC uniform

and naval letter format regulations Redundancy

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Checking in: What to expect

Barracks are at full capacity; expect 6+ persons to a room

Special emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness (read: field days)

Annotate barracks discrepancies when checking in

Phase exams occur throughout POI; ensure you are consistently up on your publications 70% to pass 75% or lower is marginal and may result in placement

on supervised individual study program (SISP) Below 75% academic GPA at end of POI will result in

full recycle

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Zero Week

Swim qual PFT Arrive in top physical

shape: cutoff for Alpha company pickup was around 240 PFT 100 crunches and 20

pullups is standard 20:00 minute PFT is in

bottom 10% of company Armory issue Gear issue: ensure you

have ALL GEAR

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Weeks 1-2: Rifle and Pistol Qual

Mandatory breakfasts

Early mornings / late nights

Humps to and from the range (2.2 miles each way)

Supplements, hydration, stretching

Attrition will occur due to range weeks

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Weeks 3-4: MCMAP & 3-Mile conditioning hump

Tan belt qualification

Grey-green-brown maintenance

First conditioning hump – come conditioned

Sort out gear issues early

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Week 5: Initial Uniform Inspection

Bring ALL uniform items

PX is located on base; uniform shop is downstairs

Marine Shop is an (expensive) option, but you can find uniform items for less

Convert your enlisted uniforms; first, ENSURE THAT THEY FIT

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Week 6: Land Nav I

Take time to do the calculations correctly the first time. Check and double-check

Ensure compass is accurate; use backup compass if possible

NO MATRICES Land nav failures have

remedial on Saturdays Electrical tape your

hand guards

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Week 7: 6 mile hump, Squad FEX

Ensure your boots are broken in Prepare for blisters Mandatory chow is mandatory for a reason Enjoy introduction to weapons

Fam fire of M203, M249, M240B, and AT-4 simulator Sign up for auxiliary weapons (SAW or M203)

if you wish; be aware of collateral duties (weapons maintenance)

A lot of state-of-the art equipment; ensure you get hands-on experience, you may never touch it again (PAS-22, TOW sights)

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Week 8: FEX I

Five days, four nights in the field Squad-level attack and defense tactics Pack all required items Recommended additional items include

heater pads, pocket chow, bug spray Tarp, not poncho Bungee cords are worth their weight in

gold Pull lanyard on the gun line; don’t drink

the “hero’s shot”

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Week 9: MOS mixer; 9-mile hump

Ensure all MOSs that you are interested in are represented. If not, track down their representatives in the Bull Pen

Ask all the questions that you need answered

Be wary of the “sale” Ensure you are

prepared for the hump

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Week 10: Patrol FEX, Final Land Nav

800+ yard legs in TA-16 There is no LZ Owl Use good attack points (stream and road

intersections if possible) Keep legs a short as possible; this mitigates

margin of error There is no LZ Owl!

Early mornings / late nights on Patrol FEX Ensure you are studied up on your patrol

orders

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Week 11: CBRN Familiarization

Gas chamber MOPP

familiarization “Iron man”

competition an option

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Week 13: FEX II and R-11

FEX II: Three days, two nights in the field Final day: 5 miles

hump with full gear back to Camp Barrett

Platoon defense and attack

Billet holders: Pick a Navigator that you trust

Bring your knee pads for R-11

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Week 14-15: 12 mile hump, Day and Night land nav final remedial, MOS submission

Hydration and nutrition

Pass final land nav or you will do it with another company

Final MOS submission on MyMos

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Week 15-16: FEX III, MOS selection, 15 mile hump

FEX III: Four days, three nights in the field Platoon-sized attack, platoon sized defense Night-time attacks CBRN defense

MOS selection: some will be happy, some disappointed, some a little bit sad

15-mile hump: be hydrated, be rested, be chocked up on supplements Two stress fractures, four 12+ square inch blisters Two remedial hump persons from Fox company 15-mile hump is a graduation requirement

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Week 17: Convoy Ops

Platoon-sized element in 10-vehicle convoy

Use your vehicle assets to your advantage Don’t make your Marines move on foot longer

than is necessary Don’t abandon your Marines

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How to disembark a 7-ton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJux5KzYG5Q

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Week 23: Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT)

Longest field evolution (five days, four nights in MOUT hotel)

Platoon-sized defense, company sized-attacks

MILES gear SESAMs gear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sIW9

6aQk4A&feature=related

Hogan’s Alley: some of the best training in the world at the FBI academy

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Week 24: AAV Orientation, AMFEX

19 tons of steel at 45 mph – 1.5 mpg

Tour of LSD Two days, one night on board USS

Kearsarge (LHD-3) Guided tour with Navy staff Practice sleeping in coffin Ride on amphibious truck

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Weeks 25+Transition and Outprocessing

Classes in drill, joint operations, NCOs and SNCOs

Sword manual Gear and weapons turn-in SPC day Mess night Warrior day Graduation

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Classroom Exercises

Sand table exercises (STEX): Chance to

Commit the time necessary when writing your orders. Never underestimate the effect of briefing a lousy order in front of your SPC – and your peers

Tactical decision games (TDGs)

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What to do

Get adjusted early. Buy all needed supplies early or you will be picking at what is left at the PX

Establish points of contact in senior companies for advice

Establish good rapport with SPCs Keep your nose clean

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What to do (Cont’d)

In garrison, study religiously. In the field, execute aggressively

Always take notes Ask questions if you don’t understand This is not OCS. Do not be afraid to stand

out Take LOTS of pictures Don’t lose your sense of humor Enjoy yourself

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Libo

Within driving distance are Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Adams-Morgan, Washington DC

Stafford a nice sized town with popular, modern stores

“A” Company’s biggest problem was with liberty issues: 2 DUIs involving 4 Marine Officers, one UIP, 1 hit and run

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What not to do

Irresponsible alcohol consumption Irresponsible activity with or without

alcohol consumption Gossip / estranging members of the platoon Act OFP Integrity issues Lose your land nav card Lose your room key Lose your rifle key Lose your rifle

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Set yourself up for success

Establish connections early Establish rapport with roommates and

members of the squad Don’t be afraid to share your

experiences, assets, and skills Network but be responsible with your

time

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Enjoy yourself!

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Saved Rounds?

Parking Fraternization “Officership”