Officer Candidate Course | Quantico

Officer Candidates School
LEADERSHIP
“Land Nav”

Week 5 at OCS marks a turning point. The initial weeks focused on building a solid foundation in Marine Corps core Values, Leadership Principles, and Tactical Skills. 

Testing Grit and Mettle

Now, it’s time to put that foundation to the test! This week transforms into a crucible of evaluation, designed to assess your candidate’s true grit and mettle. They’ll face a series of demanding challenges that push them physically and mentally, separating those who can persevere from those who cannot. This is a pivotal week in their journey towards becoming Marines.

Building Tactical Proficiency: The Fire and Movement Course

Officer Candidates School kicks off the week, focusing on building foundational tactical skills crucial for future success. The Fire and Movement Course serves as a critical introduction to:

  • Tactical Obstacle Negotiation: Candidates will learn how to effectively navigate obstacles while maintaining combat effectiveness.
  • Cover and Movement: They’ll master techniques for utilizing cover and concealment to minimize exposure to enemy fire while advancing.
  • Fire and Movement: Integrating coordinated movement with accurate rifle fire is a core skill, and this course will provide a solid foundation.

This training ensures candidates acquire the essential technical and tactical skills needed to conquer the demanding Fire Team Assault Course later in training. The Fire and Movement Course is a stepping stone, preparing them for the complexities of battlefield maneuvers.

Mastering Navigation and Understanding the Battlefield

Next, they’ll delve into the world of Land Navigation, a vital skill for any Marine Corps Officer.

  • Compass Mastery: Candidates will become proficient in using a Lensatic Compass, navigating with precision and confidence.
  • Map Reading Expertise: Learning to read maps like a second language, they’ll identify natural and man-made features, plot points, and estimate ranges with accuracy.
  • Putting Skills to the Test: These newly acquired skills will be tested in a demanding day and night land navigation exercise in the coming weeks.

Understanding the Battlefield:

While land navigation is crucial, this week also introduces them to terrain models. These visual aids help Marines comprehend the intricacies of an operation’s order. Remember, a few weeks ago, your candidate learned the importance of issuing clear and concise orders. Terrain models reinforce these orders, providing a visual representation of the battlefield, ensuring Marines understand precisely what’s expected of them.

While a deeper dive into terrain models will occur at The Basic School (TBS) after graduation, this week lays the foundation for their future success in interpreting and utilizing these critical battlefield tools.

Mastering Fire Team Tactics and Peak Fitness

Later in the week is a doubleheader, focusing on tactical prowess and peak physical conditioning.

  • Fire Team Operations: Candidates will delve into the intricacies of leading a fire team, the core unit of Marine Corps infantry. They’ll learn critical maneuvers, communication strategies, and tactics for coordinated combat operations.
  • Final Physical Fitness Test (PFT): This week culminates with the PFT, a crucial evaluation of their physical fitness. The PFT isn’t just about brute strength; it measures core stability, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular health – all essential for injury prevention and peak performance in combat situations. The PFT consists of three components: pull-ups or push-ups, a plank hold, and a timed 3-mile run.

This combined focus on tactical skills and physical fitness prepares your candidate for the demanding realities of battlefield leadership. They’ll emerge from this week stronger, more confident, and equipped with the tools they need to excel as Marine Corps Officers.

This week at OCS has been a whirlwind for your candidate. They’ve aced leadership evaluations, honed tactics, and pushed through the final PFT. Expect limited communication during liberty – rest, recovery, and hitting the books are likely priorities! In your letter, congratulate them on the PFT, ask about the Platoon sergeant inspection, and remind them to balance relaxation with continued studying.

Thanks for reading along for week five. Stay tuned next week for more exciting updates on their path to becoming a Marine Corps Officer.

Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj (ret) Paul Davis