Class 186: the Making of a Marine Officer

For eight months, Marine Corps Times has followed the men and women of Class 186 through Officer Candidates School and The Basic School at Quantico, Va., observing them in their journey from the street to the Fleet.

With unprecedented access to the candidates and instructors, Marine Corps Times offers this exclusive look into what it takes to become a Marine officer, chronicling the day-to-day lives of the candidates as they travel the path that, for many, will lead to combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.

During 10 weeks at OCS, Marine instructors and staff evaluated nearly 300 candidates to see if they had what it takes to lead Marines into combat.

Those who made the cut spent another six months at TBS, where they learned the trade of an infantry platoon leader.

Class 186: The Making of a Marine Officer website

This is a very nicely done overview of what it takes to be a Marine officer (courtesy of the Marine Times)for a couple of days now, when time has permitted. It has reinforced my view that this country has the finest military in the world. Others may disagree. Some of those who have disagreed with that opinion (Saddam comes to mind), have learned to think otherwise. I can only say that I am proud to be an American!

Be sure to view the video: The Platoon Sergeant
Watch the Platoon Sergeant.

I was particularly impressed by Gunnery Sgt. Ruben Velez. He sincerely wants to see his candidates become the very best officers that they can be. He cares about his country and he wants to see its sons and daughters equipped to face whatever they may come up against. So, that they may preserve freedom and return, each and everyone, safely home.