You have reached the resource and information page for Marine Corps events at SAIS.
**The SAIS Strategic Studies Program Presents a visit to Evening Parade at 8th & I - the oldest post in the Corps - 9 May 2008**
- - -
SAIS Students "Live the Dream" at OCS
Click on image to enlarge.
Also, click here (SAIS) or here (Wharton) for even more photos.
"Our job is to develop bold and audacious leaders, competent enough to know the difference between risk and gamble, and willing to take risk to get inside the decision cycle of the enemy in order to wrest the initiative from him. We must develop commanders who trust their subordinates, who delegate responsibility and authority to them, and who encourage them to exercise initiative within the frame work of their intent" - Lieutenant General Gerald T. Bartlett.
The Strategic Studies department is fortunate to have the opportunity to expose SAIS students to the unique leadership and development methods used by the United States Marine Corps in training its Officers. Students will visit the facilities of the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia, where generations of young Officers have honed their leadership skills. Drawing on its famed Leadership Reaction and Combat Course, the two-day program provides an intense, hands-on learning experience that emphasizes fast decision-making, team-based solving, and effective strategic thinking.
On Thursday evening, Students will arrive at Officer Candidate School (Quantico) and begin assuming their roles as platoon or fire team leaders. On Thursday, students will actively participate in individual and team-based leadership scenarios similar to those encountered by officer candidates for the Marine Corps. Students will be challenged both mentally and physically throughout the course of the day as they face navigation problems, surmount physical barriers, establish plans of action, and recreate battlefield scenarios. The instructors will provide feedback and lessons learned at the conclusion of each event. The day will conclude by observing a platoon commander issuing an actual order to his squad for taking an objective.
This event is designed on the premise that by experiencing and evaluating the fast-paced and demanding decision-making and leadership environment that military commanders face, we can better appreciate what we will need for our own thinking and actions when we are in a leadership position of our own.
Send in Emergency POC and medical information Pack your gear as per the below list
2130-2230 Command Brief at Yeckel Hall CR-1
2230-2300 1stSgt and Sgt Instructor introduction for pickup in classroom/Movement to Barracks
2300-2400 Rack making class/taps
0500-0530 Reveille/Clean-up/Linen Turn-in/Gear exchange
0530-0540 Movement to Yeckel Hall for “hot wets” breakfast
0540-0615 Breakfast
0630-0700 SI brief their duties/SI Q&A
0700-0730 Leadership and Warfighting brief at Yeckel Hall
0745 Escorts arrive
0730-0830 Panel Discussion with officers, SNCOs, and NCOs
0830-0930 Draw rubber rifles at S-3, PX Call, Movement to Barracks and then to LRC
0930-1130 LRC Brief/Execute LRC
1130-1200 Noon chow
1200-1500 Safety brief/Execution of Combat Course
1500-1630 Gear clean up and turn in, Movement to Barracks for clean up of participants and squad bays
1630-1700 Movement to Marine Corps Museum
1700-1900 Reception at the museum with escorts and students
1900 Departure
(1) Long-sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt for the obstacle course.
(2) Two khakis or cargo pants for all Friday events, preferably made from loose fitting, durable cotton. Jeans are acceptable, but tend to get heavy when wet. Make sure you put on the jeans/extra pants after the Combat and Leadership Reaction Courses, if you are too uncomfortable.
(3) Sturdy shoes with ankle support and good tread (e.g. hiking boots).
(4) Two pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks
(5) Workout shorts
(7) Bath towel
(8) Washcloth
(9) Toiletries (travel kit with: personal medications, shaving kit, dental hygiene, soap, small shampoo)
(10) Shower shoes (open toed plastic shoes, i.e. “flip flops”)
(11) Sleepwear (workout shorts and t-shirts work best for moving around the barracks)
(12) Business casual outfit for reception
(13) Cash for cash bar at reception and shopping for t-shirts at the PX
(14) Identification card/passport with birth date and picture
(15) Medical insurance card
(16) Light rain jacket or fleece (depending on weather forecast)
(17) Hair accessories (if necessary)
(18) Two plastic garbage bags for wet clothes
Packing Suggestions
These clothes will get wet and muddy. Do not wear white. You might want to bring two pairs of pants in case you need to change during the day. All participants are encouraged to wear a pair of shorts underneath their pants for all events. This will allow us to leave muddy clothing outside of the barracks when we finish all Friday events—ie, less clean-up work for everyone by not wearing muddy clothing into the barracks. There will not be time to wash clothes during the program.
-- Be sure to bring all of the items on the packing list. It is O.K. to bring extra gear. The most important item is a sturdy pair of hiking boots.
-- Given that you will be wearing helmets, those with long hair will be more comfortable if they pull it back at the nape of the neck – bring hair accessories if necessary.
-- It is recommended that all jewelry be left at home. You will not be permitted to wear jewelry on the obstacle course. Watches are fine, but they will be submerged in mud.
-- You will be running obstacle courses that include water and mud. The clothes that you bring will get dirty. Bring old clothes that you don’t mind staining. In the past, some students have purchased cheap boots and pants at Army/Navy surplus-type stores around town.
-- If you wear contact lenses, be sure to bring an extra pair as well as your glasses. You might get mud or dirt in your eyes.
--You can bring disposable cameras if you would like. However, remember that you will be getting wet and muddy.
Physical Condition
This program accommodates people with different athletic abilities, although students should expect to run about one mile at a reasonable pace and climb up and jump off of chest-high obstacles.
Billeting Information
In order to provide you with an authentic military experience, we will be staying in the actual barracks that normally house officer candidates. These quarters are called “open squad bays” and consist of rows of bunk beds. Men will be housed in one bay, and women in another. Bed linens and pillows will be provided by the Marine Corps.
While optional, participants would benefit from reviewing some of the materials provided in the background reading tab.
- - -
Quantico, VA weather, from NOAA.gov:
updated 080409