Marine Corps TBS Phase 1 Exam Practice Questions (Original) EXAM | Latest Update |
Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Comprehensive assessment covering leadership,
troop leading steps, combat orders, land navigation, infantry
weapons, patrolling, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC),
operational security (OPSEC), law of armed conflict (LOAC), risk
management, and UCMJ.
Section 1: Leadership Principles & Traits
Q1. Which of the following is one of the 11 Marine Corps
Leadership Principles?
A. Always put yourself first
B. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
C. Avoid responsibility whenever possible
D. Keep your subordinates guessing
Answer: B
Rationale: "Know yourself and seek self-improvement" is a
foundational leadership principle. The 11 Leadership Principles
include: Know yourself and seek self-improvement; Be
technically and tactically proficient; Seek responsibility and take
responsibility for your actions; Make sound and timely
decisions; Set the example; Know your Marines and look out for
their welfare; Keep your Marines informed; Develop a sense of
,responsibility in your subordinates; Ensure the task is
understood, supervised, and accomplished; Build the team;
Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT one of the 14 Leadership
Traits?
A. Justice
B. Judgement
C. Indecisiveness
D. Integrity
Answer: C
Rationale: The 14 Leadership Traits are: Justice, Judgement,
Dependability, Integrity, Decisiveness, Tact, Initiative,
Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge,
Loyalty, and Enthusiasm (mnemonic: "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE").
"Indecisiveness" is the opposite of decisiveness and is not a
leadership trait.
Q3. "Set the example" is an example of a:
A. Leadership Trait
B. Leadership Principle
C. Core Value
D. UCMJ Article
Answer: B
Rationale: "Set the example" is one of the 11 Leadership
,Principles. Leaders must model the behavior they expect from
their Marines.
Q4. What are the 5 Horizontal Themes of Officership?
A. Exemplary character, Devoted to leading Marines, Decisive in
the fog of war, Warfighter, Mentally and physically tough
B. Courage, Honor, Commitment, Duty, Respect
C. Leadership, Followership, Management, Command, Control
D. Planning, Execution, Assessment, Adaptation, Leadership
Answer: A
Rationale: The 5 Horizontal Themes are: A man or woman of
exemplary character; Devoted to leading Marines 24/7; Able to
decide, communicate, and act in the fog of war; A warfighter
who embraces the Corps' warrior ethos; Mentally strong and
physically tough.
Q5. What are the 4 Cardinal Virtues?
A. Prudence, Justice, Courage, Temperance
B. Honor, Courage, Commitment, Duty
C. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service
D. Integrity, Courage, Decisiveness, Tact
Answer: A
Rationale: The four cardinal virtues are Prudence, Justice,
Courage, and Temperance. They form the ethical foundation of
leadership and guide Marines in making disciplined, moral, and
responsible decisions.
, Q6. The acronym "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE" is a mnemonic for what?
A. The 11 Leadership Principles
B. The 14 Leadership Traits
C. The 5 Horizontal Themes
D. The 4 Cardinal Virtues
Answer: B
Rationale: "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE" is the mnemonic for the 14
Leadership Traits: Justice, Judgement, Dependability, Integrity,
Decisiveness, Tact, Initiative, Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness,
Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, and Enthusiasm.
Q7. Which leadership trait is defined as "the ability to make
decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful
manner"?
A. Justice
B. Decisiveness
C. Initiative
D. Bearing
Answer: B
Rationale: Decisiveness is the ability to make decisions
promptly and announce them clearly and forcefully.
Q8. Which leadership trait is defined as "the quality of being
morally upright and honest"?
A. Integrity
B. Justice
Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Comprehensive assessment covering leadership,
troop leading steps, combat orders, land navigation, infantry
weapons, patrolling, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC),
operational security (OPSEC), law of armed conflict (LOAC), risk
management, and UCMJ.
Section 1: Leadership Principles & Traits
Q1. Which of the following is one of the 11 Marine Corps
Leadership Principles?
A. Always put yourself first
B. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
C. Avoid responsibility whenever possible
D. Keep your subordinates guessing
Answer: B
Rationale: "Know yourself and seek self-improvement" is a
foundational leadership principle. The 11 Leadership Principles
include: Know yourself and seek self-improvement; Be
technically and tactically proficient; Seek responsibility and take
responsibility for your actions; Make sound and timely
decisions; Set the example; Know your Marines and look out for
their welfare; Keep your Marines informed; Develop a sense of
,responsibility in your subordinates; Ensure the task is
understood, supervised, and accomplished; Build the team;
Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT one of the 14 Leadership
Traits?
A. Justice
B. Judgement
C. Indecisiveness
D. Integrity
Answer: C
Rationale: The 14 Leadership Traits are: Justice, Judgement,
Dependability, Integrity, Decisiveness, Tact, Initiative,
Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge,
Loyalty, and Enthusiasm (mnemonic: "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE").
"Indecisiveness" is the opposite of decisiveness and is not a
leadership trait.
Q3. "Set the example" is an example of a:
A. Leadership Trait
B. Leadership Principle
C. Core Value
D. UCMJ Article
Answer: B
Rationale: "Set the example" is one of the 11 Leadership
,Principles. Leaders must model the behavior they expect from
their Marines.
Q4. What are the 5 Horizontal Themes of Officership?
A. Exemplary character, Devoted to leading Marines, Decisive in
the fog of war, Warfighter, Mentally and physically tough
B. Courage, Honor, Commitment, Duty, Respect
C. Leadership, Followership, Management, Command, Control
D. Planning, Execution, Assessment, Adaptation, Leadership
Answer: A
Rationale: The 5 Horizontal Themes are: A man or woman of
exemplary character; Devoted to leading Marines 24/7; Able to
decide, communicate, and act in the fog of war; A warfighter
who embraces the Corps' warrior ethos; Mentally strong and
physically tough.
Q5. What are the 4 Cardinal Virtues?
A. Prudence, Justice, Courage, Temperance
B. Honor, Courage, Commitment, Duty
C. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service
D. Integrity, Courage, Decisiveness, Tact
Answer: A
Rationale: The four cardinal virtues are Prudence, Justice,
Courage, and Temperance. They form the ethical foundation of
leadership and guide Marines in making disciplined, moral, and
responsible decisions.
, Q6. The acronym "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE" is a mnemonic for what?
A. The 11 Leadership Principles
B. The 14 Leadership Traits
C. The 5 Horizontal Themes
D. The 4 Cardinal Virtues
Answer: B
Rationale: "JJ DID TIE BUCKLE" is the mnemonic for the 14
Leadership Traits: Justice, Judgement, Dependability, Integrity,
Decisiveness, Tact, Initiative, Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness,
Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, and Enthusiasm.
Q7. Which leadership trait is defined as "the ability to make
decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful
manner"?
A. Justice
B. Decisiveness
C. Initiative
D. Bearing
Answer: B
Rationale: Decisiveness is the ability to make decisions
promptly and announce them clearly and forcefully.
Q8. Which leadership trait is defined as "the quality of being
morally upright and honest"?
A. Integrity
B. Justice
