Platoon Leaders Course Sr. | Quantico

Officer Candidates School
FIELD TRAINING
“FEX”

Week 4 is filled with challenges and determination. The first few weeks have only laid the groundwork for your candidate’s journey. Now, they’re ready to tackle the next exciting chapter on their path to becoming Marines.

Putting Tactics into Action with Field Exercise 

Officer Candidates School throws candidates headfirst into practical application. Field Exercise  (FEX ) serves as a critical training ground where they’ll:

  • Sharpen Military Tactics: Candidates will actively learn and refine essential military tactics through real-world scenarios.
  • Develop Battlefield Decision-Making: FEX  provides a dynamic environment to hone their ability to make quick and effective decisions under pressure.
  • Test Leadership Skills: Leading a fire team through FEX ‘s simulated combat situations allows for practical application of leadership principles learned previously.

This immersive training experience prepares them for the complexities of battlefield leadership and tactical execution. FEX 3 is a pivotal step in their transformation into confident and capable Marine Corps Officers.

Mastering Night Land Navigation

Officer Candidates School sharpens a critical skill for any Marine Corps Officer – night land navigation. Candidates will be fully immersed in this demanding training, learning to navigate unfamiliar terrain with precision and confidence even under the cloak of darkness.

Why Night Navigation?

The ability to navigate effectively at night is crucial for successful mission execution. This training ensures candidates acquire the tactical skills needed to confidently lead their fire teams during leadership evaluation events, regardless of the time of day. They’ll learn to:

  • Employ Advanced Navigation Techniques: Candidates will go beyond basic compass and map reading, developing specialized skills for precise nighttime navigation.
  • Sharpen Decision-Making under Pressure: Operating in darkness requires heightened awareness and quick decisions. This training strengthens their ability to think critically and make sound choices in challenging environments.

Candidates will head out into the field again for the field exercise SULE (SULE 2). Your candidate has experienced a SULE before, but with each event introduces a new challenge. Candidates will start the day with the rising sun as they board buses and get dropped off at various locations throughout the base. Since each candidate is required to be a Fire Team leader, the SULE will take a full day to complete. Your candidate will be fueling up on MREs to get them through the exercise.

Culminating Challenge – Obstacle Course and Drill Evaluation

The week concludes with a demanding doubleheader. First, candidates will tackle the obstacle course against the clock, pushing themselves to their physical limits. This timed run tests their agility, strength, and endurance. Following the obstacle course, they’ll head to the parade deck for a critical evaluation on their ability to conduct close-order drill as a unit leader. This assessment focuses on their leadership skills, drill execution precision, and their ability to inspire and motivate their fire team.

Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from your candidate right away this weekend during their first liberty evaluation period; they are probably studying for their next test.

As you can tell, your candidate’s week is filled with a lot of physical activity. In your letter this week, ask your candidate what they learned from executing the SULE and Night Land Nav. Remind them to rest, recover, and STUDY during their first liberty period this weekend.

Thanks for reading along for week four. I’ll see you next week with more insights and stories during this pivotal time for you and your candidate.

Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj (ret) Paul Davis