What should every Marine know and what are your go-to manuals?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 23:45:02 -0400

Hello Marines, Army guy here, I'm looking to make software with some quick knowledge and utilities for the Marine Corp. What manuals do you consistently use, what are the things you've got to have memorized, what do you constantly drill your troops on? Many thanks,

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 11:58 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 23:58:54 -0400

Uniforms, fire team and squad formations, weapons knowledge, leadership traits, leadership principles and general orders for starters. But not just memorizing the words, actually understanding the meanings and intent

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 12:16 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 00:16:09 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member Marines need to know the rank structure of the Marine Corps, and all other branches.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 3 at 2016 1:23 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 03 May 2016 01:23:20 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member - Recommend you take a look in the direction of both the Marine Corps Institute (MCI) and/or the Marine Corps University (MCU). Both have on-line curriculum and classes that are rank & billet appropriate. Back in "the day," their courses where offered via correspondence. However, most of their stuff is available on-line. Might be a good place for you to start.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 11:42 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 11:42:00 -0400

Skipper, one of the best rifleman instructional manuals is FMFM 6-5, Marine Rifle Squad. Also the 1990 version of the BST or Basic Skills Test. This had everything from field washing of cloths to ass/dis of every weapons system. Rank structure is good, but Marines get that in boot camp. Tactics, FMFM 1-3, is good, but was written for that Company grade officer and Cpl-SSgt ranks, along with that is FMFM 1 Warfighting and FMFM 1-1 Campaigning. I also had my NCO's read and discuss MCWP 6-11, Leading Marines.
Add anything about map symbology, I found that many enlisted Marines are weak in this area. This comes from several tours instructing at Infantry Squad Leaders Course (ISLC) at School of Infantry-West (SOI-W).

I hope this helps, Semper Fidelis.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made May 3 at 2016 11:55 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 03 May 2016 11:55:20 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member The best reference I ever read in the MC was the original 'Guidebook for Marines' published by the Marine Corps Association. It was truthfully said that by studying, and become proficient in, this one book a Marine could pass every promotion test (General Military Subjects Test) up to and including E5. I did so at the time, but regretfully did not acquire a cutting score quite high enough to earn the promotion. The MC was always very skilled in setting those cutting scores just high enough to promote only the exact number needed.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 9:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 21:03:10 -0400

Follow up question if anyone is still reading this. Do any Marines use these training manuals while training or planning for training? I'm looking at NAVMC 3500.44B Infantry T&R Manual right now. It has a list of tasks with conditions and standards for each infantry type and collective training for teams.