Marine Option Training
As with the NROTC’s mission to develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically, and to imbue them with the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment, UNL’s Marine Option Platoon is designed to stem off of this main mission. We focus solely on developing Midshipmen to one day function as company grade officers in the United States Marine Corps. To accomplish this, we focus on what will be seen at Officers Candidates School at Quantico, Virginia.
To prepare for this, we start developing these young individuals upon arriving at UNL’s NROTC program. As a Freshman, a Midshipman will mostly learn about the different aspects of the Marine Corps, basic fundamental skills used as a Marine, developing physically, and making the beginning transitions to life as an officer. As a Sophomore, the Midshipman will continue to make transitions to life as an officer, master basic fundamental skills used as a Marine, but the Midshipman will make the transition to a leader. As a Junior, basic fundamentals are natural, transitioning to a different lifestyle continues, and leadership skills are being put to test. After completing their Junior year, Marine Option Midshipman will report to Quantico, Virginia for Officers Candidates School (www.ocs.usmc.mil). Completing this will leave one full academic year until commissioning as a 2nd Lt, and another trip to Quantico for The Basic School.
To complete the above mentioned, the Marine Option Platoon utilizes different aspects of learning styles. OCS prep is a classroom environment designed to teach the fundamentals in a relaxed environment. OCS prep takes place for approximately one hour each week, and teaches fundamentals like: Basic land navigation, basic squad sized tactics, basic 5 paragraph orders, and many more fundamental classes. Once these basic skills are mastered, field exercises are utilized to evaluate each Midshipman to identify and correct any deficiencies that may be encountered. The goal is to equip each necessary Midshipman with the necessary background to successfully complete OCS.
Here is a video of our Marine Option Platoon in action.
