Officer Candidates School
History and Combat Courses
“Get Some!”

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.

Building a Legacy – History and Leadership

Week 4 marks a pivotal turning point at Officer Candidates School. Your candidate is now shifting from simply training to thinking and leading like a Marine—developing the combat mindset and leadership foundation essential for success in the field.

The week begins with continued focus on close-order drill and Marine Corps History II—two cornerstones of becoming a Marine Officer. Drill reinforces discipline, precision, and command presence, while history instills pride, perspective, and a deep understanding of the legacy they’re preparing to uphold.

Each step this week brings them closer to leading with purpose and carrying forward the values that define the Corps.

Getting in the Steps – Endurance Meets Leadership

Next, your candidate will take on a 4-mile hike in full combat gear, testing their physical endurance, mental toughness, and ability to operate under load—key traits for any Marine leader. These hikes are more than just physical challenges; they build resilience, unit cohesion, and the grit required to lead from the front.

Leadership Reaction Course II – Command the Chaos

Following the hike, candidates will face Leadership Reaction Course II (LRC2)—a high-pressure, team-based event designed to push their leadership to the edge. In this dynamic course, candidates must quickly assess complex challenges, develop a plan, and lead their team to execute it—all while racing against the clock.

Success requires sharp problem-solving, creative thinking, and the confidence to inspire others under stress. There’s no time for hesitation—LRC2 reinforces a core truth of Marine Corps leadership: when faced with uncertainty, decisive action wins the day.

This is where future officers learn to lead not when it’s easy—but when it counts.

Pushing the Limits – Seniors’ Fartlek Course & Fire and Movement

As Week 4 comes to a close at Officer Candidates School, your candidate has faced some of the most demanding physical and mental tests yet. This is a week defined by resilience, determination, and the unwavering drive to grow into a Marine Corps Officer.

Alpha and Delta Company conclude the week with the rigorous Seniors’ Fartlek Course—a challenging blend of distance running and strength exercises at designated stations. Each interval forces candidates to shift quickly between speed and endurance, pushing them far beyond their comfort zone. True to its Swedish name meaning speed play, this course builds stamina, grit, and the confidence to keep moving when the body wants to stop.

Alongside this physical test, candidates tackled Exam III and a comprehensive history evaluation, reinforcing their ability to think clearly, make sound decisions, and maintain composure even under pressure. They also began Boots and Utes running, a demanding step forward in combat conditioning, followed by the Eye of the Needle, an event that challenges their problem-solving skills and mental toughness.

The week concludes with fire and movement, where candidates learn to maneuver confidently as a team under simulated combat conditions. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership is not just about directing others—but about performing with focus, courage, and discipline when it matters most.

As they end Week 4, your candidate has proven, once again, that they are rising to meet the challenge. Each event, each test, and each moment of adversity brings them one step closer to earning the honor of leading Marines.

Thank you for following along. I look forward to sharing more of their journey next week as they continue this remarkable transformation.

Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj (ret) Paul Davis