The Ultimate Challenge: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the US Marine Corps’ The Basic School

The Basic School is a rigorous seven-month program designed to train newly commissioned second lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps. This program challenges officers physically, academically, and tactically to prepare them for the leadership roles they will undertake in the future.

Chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan spent five days inside The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, observing five different companies in various stages of training. During their time at The Basic School, Marine Corps officers are trained to lead enlisted Marines in combat scenarios. Part of this training involves officers taking on the roles of enlisted Marines to gain firsthand experience in the tasks they will later delegate to their subordinates.

The culminating event of The Basic School is The War, a crucible where students are divided into opposing forces and must strategically battle to seize and defend a city. In addition to American service members, The Basic School also hosts officers from countries like Greece, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands. This diversity in attendance adds a unique international perspective to the training program.

The insights gained from inside The Basic School offer a glimpse into the intense and comprehensive training that new Marine Corps officers undergo as they prepare to lead their fellow Marines in the field. From physical fitness tests to tactical exercises and academic courses, every aspect of The Basic School is designed to push these officers to their limits and beyond. As they emerge from this rigorous program, they are ready to take on any challenge that comes their way as leaders in the United States Marine Corps.