Summer Training
Shaping and decisive training evolutions — inform, influence, assess, select, and equip by class year.
Marine Corps summer training follows the detachment's engagement model: shaping actions that inform, influence, and assess your potential as a Marine officer, and decisive actions that select and equip those who commission. Programs below align with your class year. For the full commissioning path, see Prospective Marines.
Leatherneck
Leatherneck is a four-week training evolution at Quantico, Virginia, for first-class midshipmen interested in the Marine Corps. It is the primary evaluation for Marine Corps candidates from the Naval Academy.
During four weeks, midshipmen are evaluated on leadership, physical training, and military skills including the PFT, CFT, Obstacle Course, and Endurance Course. Training covers land navigation, combat orders, offensive tactics, and weapons familiarization. Multi-day field exercises culminate in a squad attack led by each midshipman. Leadership mentoring covers counseling subordinates and working with staff noncommissioned officers.
Mission
Train, evaluate, advise, and mentor first-class midshipmen considering a Marine Corps career. Leatherneck is the primary mechanism by which midshipmen are evaluated for potential to serve successfully as company-grade officers.
MAGTF Summer Training
The MAGTF program provides two separate two-week fleet immersion experiences with operating force units. Midshipmen are assigned a company-grade sponsor for two weeks, then a different sponsor and unit for another two weeks.
Important: MAGTF does not satisfy the Leatherneck requirement for first-class Marine option selection.
Mission
Recruit midshipmen by exposing them to operational forces and the responsibilities of company-grade officers. Units are located at MCB Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, MCAS Beaufort (blocks 1–3), and MCB Camp Pendleton (block 3).
Example host units
- Combat arms: 2/1, 1/4, 2/5, 3/5, 1st LAR, 1st Recon, 3rd AAB, B/1/11
- Combat service support: MLG PAO, CLR-1, CLR-17, CLB-1, 1st CEB
- Aviation: VMM-161, VMM-166, VMFA(AW)-121, VMFA(AW)-225, HMH-462, HMH-466, VMGR-352
PROTRAMID Marine Week
During the four-week PROTRAMID evolution, one week is dedicated to Marine Corps training. Third-class midshipmen receive hands-on exposure to weapons, equipment, and Marines in field and garrison environments.
Mission
Expose third-class midshipmen to opportunities for junior Marine officers in the Fleet Marine Forces and foster interest in a Marine Corps commission.
Training highlights
MAGTF fundamentals, static displays of ground and aviation equipment, live-fire opportunities, AAV and helicopter experiences, gas chamber, rappelling, and MOUT scenarios.
Example events
- Weapons handling and ISMT
- Fire team and squad TTPs
- Fixed- and rotary-wing static displays
- AAV and V-22 rides, CH-53 rides
- MOUT and night vision goggle training
- MARSOC brief
Selective training opportunities
Top-performing midshipmen who qualify through the MARSOT Screener may be selected for additional USMC training schools. Brief descriptions below — ask your company mentor about current availability.
Marine SECFOR
Security Forces training for midshipmen interested in the infantry: intense PT, MCMAP, pistol and rifle live fire, interior movement, and force-on-force urban encounters (simulated rounds).
Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC)
Alpine and mountain warfare exposure for screener-qualified mids; may include Animal Packing Course and SOF Horsemanship Course subsets.
Reconnaissance Training Assessment Program (RTAP)
Feeder program for the Basic Reconnaissance Course — highly intensive physical evolution with daily runs, rucks, swims, and calisthenics.
MARSOC / Recon
Exposure to Marine Forces Special Operations Command special operations missions and small-team operations.
Marine Corps Instructor Water Survival (MCIWS)
Water survival proficiency through evaluated evolutions at the Marine Corps Water Survival School.
MCMAP Instructor (MAI) and Instructor Trainer (MAIT)
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor courses covering unarmed combat, weapons of opportunity, and warrior ethos development.
Force Fitness Instructor (FFI)
Structured functional exercise science to optimize performance and reduce injuries.
MARSOT Screener
Held during fall and spring semesters, the MARSOT Screener qualifies midshipmen for selective training evolutions. The half-day event includes squad movements under load, strength and endurance tests, timed Obstacle and Endurance Course runs, and M4 marksmanship.
Questions about preparation? Start with your company Marine mentor in Bancroft Hall, or see detachment leadership.
