Infantry Officer Course Quantico

The Infantry Officer Course (IOC) at Marine Corps Base Quantico is the premier training facility for new Marine Corps infantry officers. It is a highly intensive 12-week course designed to shape the officers into tactical experts and effective leaders of combat units. During the course, the Officers Patrol Leaders are schooled in a variety of skills; field craft, navigation, tactics, weapons, logistics, amphibious operations, communications, physical fitness, and attitude. The aim of the IOC is to equip officers with the leadership and tactical knowledge they need to prepare for the highly demanding operational tempo of the Marine Corps Infantry. The Officers Patrol Leaders gain knowledge through professional military education, hands-on field exercises, and the practical application of their newly acquired skills. A critical component of this course is field exercises, which are designed to test and hone the Officers Patrol Leaders in their ability to employ infantry tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). The field exercises require leaders to build proficiency in terrain analysis, planning, decision-making, and execution. The course also prepares officers to lead at the highest level of combat operations. The Officers Patrol Leaders gain experience with modern combat systems and night operations, as well as basic tactics and weapons systems. The officers also receive training in reacting to chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks and apply their new skills in simulated scenarios. In addition to the physical and mental rigor of IOC training, the Officers Patrol Leaders attend mandatory leadership classes. A key component of these classes is to be instill the concept of values-based leadership. The Officer Patrol Leaders learn different ways to lead, mentor, and inspire their Marines in a comprehensive and vibrant leadership training curriculum. Upon graduating from the Infantry Officer Course at Quantico, the Officers Patrol Leaders become fully qualified leaders in the Infantry community, ready for the challenges and rigors of this world-wide deployable force.