United States Marine Corps School of Infantry 1

United States Marine Corps School of InfantryThe School of Infantry (SOI) is the second stage of initial military training for enlisted United States Marines afterRecruit Training. Since the initial training pipeline is divided between coasts, Marines from areas east of theMississippi River usually graduate from MCRD Parris Island and move on to SOI at SOI East (located at CampGeiger, a satellite facility of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina), while those from the western half of the nation attendMCRD San Diego and move on to SOI West at the Camp San Onofre area of Camp Pendleton in California. FemaleMarines are an exception, all of whom go through MCRD Parris Island and SOI East.The School of Infantry's training mission ensures "Every Marine is, first and foremost, a Rifleman". At SOI, Marineswith the Military Occupational Specialty of infantry (0300 occupational field) are trained at the Infantry TrainingBattalion (ITB), while all non-infantry Marines are trained in basic infantry and combat skills at the Marine CombatTraining Battalion (MCT Bn). SOI marks a transition in the professional training of entry-level students frombasically trained Marines to combat-ready Marines.

HistoryPrior to 1953, there was no formal infantry training in the Marine Corps, and all Marines received combat training atrecruit training. The Marine Corps established Infantry Training Regiments at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton inthat year. Between 1965 & 1971, Marines assigned a non-infantry specialty were receiving only two weeks ofInfantry Combat Training while their infantry counterparts were training for four to six weeks. In 1971, infantryskills training for non-infantry Marines was folded into recruit training and entailed only 60 training hours. Duringthe late 70's & 80's Marines assigned an Infantry MOS went to Infantry Training School, commonly referred to as"ITS". This lasted until the Marine Corps established Marine Combat Training as a 28-day course in 1988 to teachrifleman skills to all male Marines. In 1996, the 2nd Marine Division disbanded Division Schools, passing the role ofadvanced infantry training to the newly established Advanced Infantry Training Company at the School of Infantry(SOI). Prior to 1997, only male Marines were trained at SOI schools; females went directly to their MOS schools.

Training

ITB logo

The training is accomplished with a combination of classroom instruction,hands-on practical application, and live-fire evolutions. The MarineCombat Instructors at SOI provide continuity and consistency in thecontinuum of training and mentoring entry-level Marines. Also trained atthe SOI, these instructors began earning the MOS 0913 (formerly MOS8513) in 2003.

Infantry Training Battalion

The Infantry Training Battalion's mission is to "train and qualify Marines inentry level infantry military occupational specialties [in order to] providethe Operating Forces and Reserve Component with Marines capable ofconducting expeditionary combat operations."

Infantry Training Battalion is a 59-day training course (prior to September 2007, it was 52 days[1]) that develops new Marines into infantrymen "who can fight, survive, and win in a combat situation". The first two weeks are a common skills package that all infantry MOSs share, where Marines receive instruction in combat marksmanship, use of grenades, identifying and countering improvised explosive devices, convoy operations, Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), tactical formations, land navigation, and patrolling. Afterward, Marines receive instruction specific

United States Marine Corps School of Infantry 2

to their infantry MOS, regarding machineguns, mortars, reconnaissance, LAV-25s, or anti-tank warfare. The trainingcycle includes physical conditioning via physical training, conditioning hikes, and sustainment training in the MarineCorps Martial Arts Program. Leadership traits and the application of the core values in every aspect of the Marine'slife are also emphasized.

Marine Combat Training

A combat instructor from Company E teaches agroup of students the fundamentals of patrolling

Marine Combat Training is a 29-day course (prior to September 2007 itwas 22 days) in which entry-level non-infantry Marines are taught thecommon skills needed in combat. Marines learn the basics of combatmarksmanship, counter-improvised explosive device techniques, howto conduct the defense of a position, convoy operations, combatformations, fireteam assaults, patrolling, MOUT, use of theAN/PRC-119 radio, reporting military intelligence, land navigation,and the use of hand grenades, the M203 grenade launcher, AT-4Rocket Launcher, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and M240machine gun. Training also includes combat conditioning by runningan obstacle course, conducting hikes, physical training, and MarineCorps Martial Arts Program. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training, the Marine is to have gained theknowledge and ability to operate in a combat environment as a basic rifleman and to perform his or her primaryduties under fire.

Advanced Infantry Training Battalion

Marines in the Marine Corps Combat InstructorCourse fire the AT-4 as part of their training to

become the instructors of Marine CombatTraining and Infantry Training Battalion.

The Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (AITB), conducts not onlyadditional training for those infantry Marines who have an MOS otherthan 0311, but advanced skills, MOS validation, leadership, andqualifications to infantry Marines who have advanced in their careers.

The East and West coast stations have slightly different subordinateunits.•• The Light Armored Vehicle Training Company trains entry-level

infantry MOS-qualified Armored Vehicle crewmen and trainsinfantry officers and SNCOs in the tactical employment of the LightArmored Vehicle, and awards the MOSs 0313 and 0303.

• The Reconnaissance Training Company mentors and safely trainsMarines in reconnaissance skills, in preparation for assignment to areconnaissance unit. Graduates of the Basic Reconnaissance Course are awarded the MOS 0321.

• The Scout Sniper Basic Course provides instruction in advanced marksmanship with the M40A1 sniper rifle andthe M82A1A Special Application Scoped Rifle, small bore marksmanship training with the M40, andqualification with the M9 pistol. Instruction includes stalking and concealment techniques, range estimation,observation techniques, hide construction, land navigation, mantracking, field communications, selection and

United States Marine Corps School of Infantry 3

Martial Arts Instructor Trainer withBlack Belt

occupation of positions, field sketch, observation log, range card, and patrollog construction and maintenance, terrain model construction, andnight/thermal imaging device usage and anti-detection techniques (ADT).Tactical instruction includes detailed mission planning, preparation andconduct, scout-sniper employment, patrolling, and collecting and reportinginformation.

• The Infantry Squad Leaders Course is designed to provide MarineNoncommissioned Officers (NCOs) with the required skills and knowledge tobe an infantry squad leader. A Marine receives training in rifleman corecompetencies, war-fighting and decision making, troop leading procedures,advanced land navigation, how to call for indirect fire, small unit training,communications, infantry rifle company crew-served weapons, munitions andpyrotechnics, scouting and patrolling, defensive and offensive tactics andtechniques.

• The Infantry Mortars Leaders Course trains Marines to serve as a section leader for the M224 Mortar section ofan infantry weapons platoon or to serve as a squad leader, plotter, or section leader for an M252 Mortar platoon inan infantry weapons company.

•• The Infantry Machinegun Leaders Course provides Marines with the knowledge and skills required to serve as amachinegun squad leader for a machinegun section of an infantry weapons platoon, or to serve as a heavymachinegun squad leader, or a heavy machinegun section leader for a heavy machinegun platoon of an infantryweapons company.

• The Infantry Anti-Tank Missileman Leaders Course is designed to provide Marines with the knowledge and skillsrequired to perform as a FGM-148 Javelin squad leader, team leader, and gunner and as an anti-tank missilemansquad leader or section leader in an anti-armor platoon or a Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) platoon in aninfantry weapons company.

•• The Infantry Assaultman Leaders Course provides a Marine with the knowledge and skills required to serve as anassaultman squad leader for an assaultman section of an infantry weapons platoon.

• The Infantry Unit Leaders Training Company provides skill progression training to ensure StaffNoncommissioned Officers (SNCOs) are proficient in advanced infantry skills, developed in their decisionmaking process, making practical use of their infantry experience, and equipped to assume increased levels ofresponsibility for infantry unit leadership. The course provides instruction in machinegunnery, mortar gunnery,anti-armor operations, Marine Corps leadership, Marine Corps planning process, law of land warfare,anti-terrorism and force protection, written communications, verbal communications, Uniform Code of MilitaryJustice, and personnel administration, section and platoon leadership, platoon/company defensive and offensivetactics, platoon patrolling, and fire support to leaders in the MOSs of 0369, 0302, and 0306.

•• The Mobile Training Company conducts "train the trainer", Tactical Small Unit Leader Course, Combat Hunter,and other standards based training as directed to enhance the ability of unit commanders to conduct training thatsupports their mission.

• Infantry Operations Chief Course is designed to train senior enlisted Marines in the knowledge and skills requiredto perform the duties of an Infantry Operations Chief in an infantry battalion. Topics that are covered include:training and education in unit training management, ground combat element operations, combat operations centeroperations, the Marine Corps planning process, fire support coordination, and the Command and Control PersonalComputer (C2PC) system.

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• Marine Combat Instructors School prepares instructors in the knowledge and skills required to formally trainentry-level Marines at the SOI. The Marine receives training in coaching skills for individual and crew servedweapons and optics, reinforcement of both day and night land navigation, Communications, CPR and first aidprocedures, combat marksmanship, the Combat Life Saver program, scouting, patrolling, improvised explosivedevices, Guardian Angel, and convoy operations. Graduates of the school receive the MOS 0913.

• The Martial Arts Instructor Course certifies Marines as Martial Arts Instructors (MAI) (secondary MOS 0916,formerly 8551) in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program by providing the knowledge, skills, and abilitiesnecessary to conduct all aspects of training. The graduating student will have the capability to certify Marines atbelt levels the same as his or her own; supervise sustainment and integration training; conduct the combativesports program; and conduct the combat conditioning program. In order to obtain instructor qualifications for ahigher belt, Marines must first meet the belt requirements and progress through the training program. In order tobecome a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer (MAIT), which can also certify green, brown, and black belt (1stDegree) Instructors, they must go through a seven-week MAIT course at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Once theblack belt is obtained, Marines can acquire up to six degrees of black belt training, distinguished by Tan (MAI) orRed (MAIT) stripes on the right side of the belt.

References  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

[1] Johnson, Kimberly (September 30, 2007). "SOI adds 7 days, weapons skill to training" (http:/ / www. marinecorpstimes. com/ news/ 2007/09/ marine_soi_070929/ ). Marine Corps Times. . Retrieved 2007-09-30.

• "School of Infantry West website" (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20070423152644/ http:/ / www. cpp. usmc.mil/ schools/ soi/ index. htm). Camp Pendleton, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original (http:/ /www. cpp. usmc. mil/ schools/ soi/ index. htm) on 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2006-11-11.

• "School of Infantry East website" (http:/ / www. lejeune. usmc. mil/ soi/ ). Camp Lejeune, United States MarineCorps. Retrieved 2006-11-11.

• "Advanced Infantry Training Battalion website" (http:/ / www. pendleton. usmc. mil/ schools/ soi/ new/ ait/AIT_Bn. htm). School of Infantry (West) website. Retrieved 2008-12-28.

• "Reconnaissance Training Company website" (http:/ / www. pendleton. usmc. mil/ schools/ soi/ new/ ait/ rtc.htm). Advanced Infantry Training Battalion website. Retrieved 2008-12-28.

• St. Marie, Sgt. Paul; LCpl Maxton G. Musselman (February 2009). "Become a Marine Combat Instructor" (http:// www. mca-marines. org/ leatherneck/ ). Leatherneck Magazine (Quantico, Virginia: Marine Corps Association)(Feb 2009): pp. 28–33. Retrieved 2009-04-04.

Article Sources and Contributors 5

Article Sources and ContributorsUnited States Marine Corps School of Infantry  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=474796768  Contributors: Aeh4543, Alai, Apokrif, Aranel, Arjayay, AtTheAbyss,Bahamut0013, Bgsuwoody, Bolinstephen, Darklilac, Davecrosby uk, DocYako, Doopokko, ERcheck, Elder47, Epbr123, Erik9, Evans1982, Faradayplank, Farahato, Fox1, HenryLarsen, IIMusLiM HyBRiD II, J.delanoy, Jklharris, KM HCC, Karanne, Kenyon, Khazar, Looper5920, MC10, Maurreen, Michael93555, Mild Bill Hiccup, MrDolomite, Mtldrinst, NeoFreak,NuclearWarfare, Philipmj24, Pschemp, Puddhe, Rich Farmbrough, Sadads, Shirulashem, Stevecalloway, TDogg310, The Axiom, Traxs7, Uncle Dick, 59 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Itb logo.GIF  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Itb_logo.GIF  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Philipmj24Image:MCT Patrolling Instructions.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MCT_Patrolling_Instructions.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Bahamut0013,Monkeybait, Sgt Glover USMC, 2 anonymous editsImage:Marine Corps Instructor Course AT4.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Marine_Corps_Instructor_Course_AT4.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:Monkeybait, Sgt Glover USMCImage:MAIC Black Belt.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MAIC_Black_Belt.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Kumioko (renamed), Sgt Glover USMCImage:PD-icon.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:PD-icon.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Alex.muller, Anomie, Anonymous Dissident, CBM, MBisanz,PBS, Quadell, Rocket000, Strangerer, Timotheus Canens, 1 anonymous edits

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