Officer Candidates School
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
“Final Evaluations”

Sharpening Skills

This week at Officer Candidates School dials up the pressure for India Company’s PLC Juniors. It’s a week of evaluation and refinement, starting with a timed obstacle course run to gauge their current fitness. They’ll face the course again later for official scores, pushing their agility, strength, and endurance. Navigation skills are tested with a Day Land Compass evaluation, ensuring they can navigate confidently. Close Order Drill remains a focus as Drill Instructors refine their marching precision, discipline, and attention to detail. But the week isn’t over we are only midweek! They’ll dive into their first Small Unit Leader Evaluation (SULE 1), where their ability to lead a fire team through simulated combat scenarios will be assessed. Then, peer evaluations add another layer of scrutiny, providing valuable feedback from their fellow candidates.

Obstacle Course for Time & Land Navigation

Midway through the week, candidates face two major milestones that test both physical endurance and mental agility.

First up is the Obstacle Course for Time. Unlike earlier runs, this time it’s a race against the clock. Candidates must apply everything they’ve learned about efficiency, strength, and coordination to complete the course with speed and precision—pushing themselves further than before.

Immediately after, they’ll dive into the Day Land Navigation Evaluation. Equipped with a compass and map, candidates are tasked with navigating unknown terrain using terrain association—an essential skill for future Marine officers who must operate independently and confidently in the field.

These midweek events serve as a true measure of grit, growth, and progress—reminding every candidate how far they’ve come and how much closer they are to earning the title of Marine leader.

Evaluation Time – Proving Their Progress

The next phase of training kicks off at sunrise with a challenging 4-mile hike, completed while carrying a pack and weapon. This isn’t just a physical test—it’s a mental one, reinforcing endurance, discipline, and unit cohesion.

Immediately following the hike, candidates will face two critical evaluations:

• SULE I (Small Unit Leadership Evaluation I): This is their first graded leadership challenge in the field. Each candidate takes charge of a fire team and must plan, brief, and execute a simulated combat mission. It’s a high-stakes test of decision-making, communication, and composure under pressure.
  
• Close Order Drill Evaluation: Precision, discipline, and attention to detail come to the forefront as candidates are assessed on their ability to lead and execute drill movements with confidence and clarity.
  

These evaluations mark a turning point—an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate everything they’ve learned so far and prove they’re developing into the capable, confident leaders the Marine Corps demands.

A Must-See Stop: The National Museum of the Marine Corps

Midweek, candidates will head off-base to visit one of the most awe-inspiring landmarks in the Department of Defense—the National Museum of the Marine Corps. This world-class museum is more than just a collection of artifacts; it’s an immersive journey through the proud legacy, sacrifice, and valor of Marines past and present. For any family visiting Quantico, this is an absolute must-see experience that offers powerful insight into what it means to earn the title Marine.

Confidence and Tarzan Courses

The week concludes with two of the most physically and mentally demanding events at Officer Candidates School—the Confidence Course and the Tarzan Course. These high-intensity challenges are designed to push candidates beyond their perceived limits, testing not only strength and coordination but also courage and determination. Candidates must navigate towering obstacles, climb, leap, and swing under pressure—proving to themselves and their peers that they’re capable of overcoming fear and adversity.

This powerful combination of Marine Corps history and physical trial marks a pivotal point in training. As candidates reflect on the legacy of those who came before and confront their own limits head-on, they take one more step toward earning the title Marine Officer.

Thank you for following along in Week 5. Stay tuned next week for updates on Family Day and details about the Completion Ceremony—two milestones that mark just how far your candidate has come.

Semper Fidelis,

SgtMaj (ret) Paul Davis