Paul here with your week 3 update for Officer Candidates School.

Starting week 3, to ensure candidates retain all they are learning, they’ll begin the week with  Exam 1. Then, candidates will kick off the Basic Reaction Course (BRC). The BRC is an event where Candidates are briefed on a situation, given a mission, and then expected to formulate a plan and execute it. This is an essential building block in developing tactical leadership.

Then Candidates are introduced to the Leadership Reaction Course (LRC). The LRC evaluates a candidate’s ability to lead a fire team in a controlled environment. A fire team is made up of four candidates who will each have the opportunity to lead the team through a new scenario with unique obstacles, both physical and mental.

Candidates are then evaluated by an OCS staff member for the duration of their actions as a fire team leader. When your candidate is the team lead, they will be evaluated by an OCS staff member on qualities such as their ability to make a quick decision, communicate that to their team, and then adapt the plan as they need to overcome obstacles. Not only will your candidate be evaluated by an OCS staff member, but at the end, they will receive an evaluation from their peers. Your candidate will continue to be assessed in a variety of leadership exercises throughout training, accounting for 50% of the overall grade.

Throughout the Period of Instruction (POI) and your candidate’s career in the Marine Corps, they’ll spend multiple days in the field. Candidates will learn and understand proper field skills and hygiene through classes, guided discussions with their staff, and through their own experience as they prepare for their second night in the field.

As a Marine Corps Officer, it will be your candidate’s job to ensure that their Marines have all the necessary clothing and equipment, that the equipment is in working order, that sanitary conditions are met, and that the platoon can operate effectively when called on. All of those items are critical to mission success, and soon your candidate will know how to prepare themselves and their team to meet these standards adequately.

Additionally, candidates will learn about the Marine Corps uniforms this week and dive deeper into Marine Corps history. The candidates will conclude the week with a 4-mile hike. 

That’s all for this week’s update. In your following letter, quiz your candidate and ask them what BAMCIS stands for and if they enjoy Tactical Planning. Consider including a gift card with your letter this week so your candidate can get some essentials at the Exchange.

I’ll be back next week with intel on week 4 of Officer Candidates School at Quantico.

Semper Fidelis,
Sgt. Maj. (ret.) Paul Davis