Summer Training Options
During your time at the Naval Academy you have the opportunity to participate in programs that will provide further exposure to the Marine Corps. You will learn about the Marine Corps' mission during your third class summer while on PROTRAMID. If you are considering a Marine Corps commission you must attend Leatherneck during your 1st class summer. On a case-by-case basis, midshipmen will be authorized to attend MAGTF in lieu of their annual PME training requirement. If you have an interest in either Marine Corps Reconnaissance or MARSOC, you can partake in a training sponsored by USNA's MARSOT community.
In the tabs below, you will find information on each of the summer programs related to the Marine Corps.
Description:
Leatherneck is a four week training evolution in Quantico, Va., for 1/C Midshipmen interested in the Marine Corps. It is the primary evaluation for Marine Corps candidates from the U.S. Naval Academy. During the four weeks, midshipmen are evaluated on leadership, physical training and military skills. Physical evaluations include the Physical Fitness Test, Combat Fitness Test, Obstacle Course and Endurance Course. Students learn basic military skills such as land navigation, combat orders, offensive combat tactics, and basic weapons familiarization. Midshipmen apply this training during multi-day field exercises including the culminating event when each midshipman is given the opportunity to lead a squad attack on an objective. Additionally, midshipmen are mentored in leadership skills required of a 2ndLt such as counseling/evaluating subordinate Marines and developing productive relationships with Staff Non Commissioned Officers.
Mission:
The mission of Leatherneck is to train, evaluate, advise and mentor 1st Class Midshipmen considering a career in the United States Marine Corps. Leatherneck midshipmen will be mentally, morally, and physically tested via a rigorous training schedule designed to introduce them to the camaraderie, esprit and rigors of Marine Corps life. Leatherneck is the primary mechanism by which midshipmen are evaluated for their potential to serve successfully as company grade officers in the Marine Corps.
Orientation:
The MAGTF summer training program provides two 2-week fleet immersion experiences for midshipmen with a unit of the Marine Corps' operating forces. The program serves as a recruiting tool for midshipmen interested in service-selecting the Marine Corps. Midshipmen will be assigned to a company-grade sponsor for a period of two weeks, followed by assignment to a different sponsor and different unit for a period of two weeks. Participation in MAGTF does not meet the requirement of Leatherneck attendance for service selection as a 1/C.
Mission:
The mission of the MAGTF Summer Training Program is to recruit midshipmen by exposing them to Marine Corps operational forces and the responsibilities of company grade officers so that they may further assess the Marine Corps as their service choice. Midshipmen will be assigned to Marine units based in MCB Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, NC and MCAS Beaufort, SC during blocks 1, 2, and 3. Midshipmen will be assigned to Marine units based in MCB Camp Pendleton during block 3
Previous Participating Host Units:
- Combat Arms Units
- Marine Division G-2 (Intelligence)
- 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
- 1st Battalion, 4th Marines
- 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines
- 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
- 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
- 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
- 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion
- Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines
- Combat Service Support Units
- Marine Logistics Group, Public Affairs
- Combat Logistics Regiment 1
- Combat Logistics Regiment 17
- Combat Logistics Battalion 1
- 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
- Aviation Units
- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, VMM-161
- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, VMM-166
- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron, VMFA(AW)-121
- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron, VMFA(AW)-225
- Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron, HMH-462
- Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron, HMH-466
- Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron, VMGR-352
Mission:
The purpose of PROTRAMID Marine Week is to expose 3rd Class Midshipmen directly to the wide array of opportunities for junior Marine Corps officers in the Fleet Marine Forces in order to generate and foster interest in pursuing a Marine Corps commission.
Training:
Midshipmen will participate in a breadth of Marine Corps-related experiences in order to reinforce previous exposure to USMC professional knowledge and expand upon USMC concepts. Midshipmen will receive hands-on exposure to Marine Corps weapons and equipment, will interact with Marines of all ranks in both field and garrison environments, and will experience a wealth of immersive USMC-related activities. The basic theory and fundamentals of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) will be explained and reinforced in conjunction with multiple static displays of ground and aviation equipment, as well as a number of opportunities to live-fire weapons and experience various means of troop transport, from helicopter assault support to Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) rides. Midshipmen will be afforded the opportunity to participate in the gas chamber, rappelling, and Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) scenarios. A number of briefs will be given in order to expand each individual's understanding of the Marine Corps and how it operates as the world's finest fighting organization.
Key Events:
3/C Midshipmen will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of Marine-specific events. Some examples from previous years include:
-
- Weapons Handling
- Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer
- Fire Team and Squad Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
- Fixed-Wing Static Display
- Rotary-Wing Static Display
- Air Traffic Control Tower and Radar Room Tour
- Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Museum Tour
- Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Recruit Processing Brief
- Amphibious Assault Vehicle Rides and Static Display
- V-22 Osprey Rides
- CH-53 Helicopter Rides
- Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training
- Night Vision Goggle Training
- Artillery Static Display
- Marine Special Operations Command Brief
The MARSOT Screener, held during the fall and spring semesters off qualified Midshipmen the opportunity to participate in a variety of selective training evolutions. The screener consists of a half day evolution that incorporates squad sized movements under load, tests of physical strength and endurance, timed runs through both the obstacle and endurance courses, and marksmanship with the M-4 service rifle. Those who qualify during the screener may be selected to participate in a number of USMC training schools.
