TBS Phase 1 Exam – Practice Questions 150
Comprehensive Questions with Correct Answers
and Detailed Explanations
EXAM OVERVIEW & KEY STUDY AREAS
Aspect Details
Exam TBS Phase 1 Exam
Location The Basic School (TBS), Quantico, Virginia
Format Multiple-choice questions
Topic Warfighting, OPSEC, COMSEC, LOAC, TCCC, Land Navigation, Risk
Coverage Management, Leadership, Marine Corps Policy
KEY TOPICS SUMMARY
SECTION 1: WARFIGHTING & DOCTRINE (Questions 1-25)
Q1. What is the definition of combat?
A. Engaging the enemy or being exposed to enemy fire
B. Any military operation involving the use of force
,C. Training exercises conducted under live-fire conditions
D. The planning phase of any military operation
Correct Answer: A. Engaging the enemy or being exposed to enemy fire
Combat is defined as engaging the enemy, or being exposed to enemy fire. This
fundamental definition distinguishes actual combat operations from training or support
activities .
Q2. What is the definition of war?
A. A series of military exercises
B. A violent clash of interests between or among organized groups characterized by the use
of military force
C. A diplomatic disagreement between nations
D. The strategic positioning of forces
Correct Answer: B. A violent clash of interests between or among organized groups
characterized by the use of military force
War is a violent clash of interests between or among organized groups characterized by the
use of military force. These groups are not always nations but can be political groups,
terrorists, or guerrillas within nations .
Q3. Which statement best describes the nature of war?
A. War is constantly changing in its fundamental nature
B. War is timeless and ever changing—its nature is constant, but means and methods
continuously evolve
,C. War is predictable and follows fixed patterns
D. War is solely determined by technology
Correct Answer: B. War is timeless and ever changing—its nature is constant, but
means and methods continuously evolve
The nature of war is constant; however, means and methods continuously evolve. War is
timeless and ever changing. Technology drives changes in methods, but the fundamental
nature of war remains constant .
Q4. What are the three levels of war?
A. Political, Economic, Military
B. Strategic, Operational, Tactical
C. Offensive, Defensive, Stabilization
D. Planning, Execution, Assessment
Correct Answer: B. Strategic, Operational, Tactical
The three levels of war are Strategic, Operational, and Tactical. Actions in war take place on
these related levels, with each level informing and supporting the others .
Q5. What are the MANEUVER WARFARE concepts?
A. Surprise, Speed, Simplicity, Security
B. Friction, Uncertainty, Fluidity, Complexity, The Human Dimension, Physical Moral and
Mental Forces, Evolution of War, Science/Art of War, Doctrine, Decentralized Command,
Surfaces and Gaps
, C. Reconnaissance, Security, Fire Support, Mobility
D. Offense, Defense, Retrograde, Stability
Correct Answer: B. Friction, Uncertainty, Fluidity, Complexity, The Human
Dimension, Physical Moral and Mental Forces, Evolution of War, Science/Art of War,
Doctrine, Decentralized Command, Surfaces and Gaps
Maneuver warfare concepts are fundamental to Marine Corps doctrine. Key concepts
include: Friction (countless factors make war difficult to conduct), Uncertainty, Fluidity,
Complexity, The Human Dimension, Physical, Moral and Mental Forces, Evolution of War,
Science and Art of War, Doctrine, Decentralized Command, and Surfaces and Gaps .
Q6. What is friction in the context of warfighting?
A. The physical movement of forces
B. Countless factors that make war difficult to conduct; when the simple is difficult and the
difficult is impossible
C. The resistance encountered from enemy forces
D. The logistical challenges of sustaining operations
Correct Answer: B. Countless factors that make war difficult to conduct; when the
simple is difficult and the difficult is impossible
Friction encompasses all the countless factors that make war difficult to conduct. As
Clausewitz described, "when the simple is difficult, and the difficult is impossible" .
Q7. What is a strategy of annihilation?
Comprehensive Questions with Correct Answers
and Detailed Explanations
EXAM OVERVIEW & KEY STUDY AREAS
Aspect Details
Exam TBS Phase 1 Exam
Location The Basic School (TBS), Quantico, Virginia
Format Multiple-choice questions
Topic Warfighting, OPSEC, COMSEC, LOAC, TCCC, Land Navigation, Risk
Coverage Management, Leadership, Marine Corps Policy
KEY TOPICS SUMMARY
SECTION 1: WARFIGHTING & DOCTRINE (Questions 1-25)
Q1. What is the definition of combat?
A. Engaging the enemy or being exposed to enemy fire
B. Any military operation involving the use of force
,C. Training exercises conducted under live-fire conditions
D. The planning phase of any military operation
Correct Answer: A. Engaging the enemy or being exposed to enemy fire
Combat is defined as engaging the enemy, or being exposed to enemy fire. This
fundamental definition distinguishes actual combat operations from training or support
activities .
Q2. What is the definition of war?
A. A series of military exercises
B. A violent clash of interests between or among organized groups characterized by the use
of military force
C. A diplomatic disagreement between nations
D. The strategic positioning of forces
Correct Answer: B. A violent clash of interests between or among organized groups
characterized by the use of military force
War is a violent clash of interests between or among organized groups characterized by the
use of military force. These groups are not always nations but can be political groups,
terrorists, or guerrillas within nations .
Q3. Which statement best describes the nature of war?
A. War is constantly changing in its fundamental nature
B. War is timeless and ever changing—its nature is constant, but means and methods
continuously evolve
,C. War is predictable and follows fixed patterns
D. War is solely determined by technology
Correct Answer: B. War is timeless and ever changing—its nature is constant, but
means and methods continuously evolve
The nature of war is constant; however, means and methods continuously evolve. War is
timeless and ever changing. Technology drives changes in methods, but the fundamental
nature of war remains constant .
Q4. What are the three levels of war?
A. Political, Economic, Military
B. Strategic, Operational, Tactical
C. Offensive, Defensive, Stabilization
D. Planning, Execution, Assessment
Correct Answer: B. Strategic, Operational, Tactical
The three levels of war are Strategic, Operational, and Tactical. Actions in war take place on
these related levels, with each level informing and supporting the others .
Q5. What are the MANEUVER WARFARE concepts?
A. Surprise, Speed, Simplicity, Security
B. Friction, Uncertainty, Fluidity, Complexity, The Human Dimension, Physical Moral and
Mental Forces, Evolution of War, Science/Art of War, Doctrine, Decentralized Command,
Surfaces and Gaps
, C. Reconnaissance, Security, Fire Support, Mobility
D. Offense, Defense, Retrograde, Stability
Correct Answer: B. Friction, Uncertainty, Fluidity, Complexity, The Human
Dimension, Physical Moral and Mental Forces, Evolution of War, Science/Art of War,
Doctrine, Decentralized Command, Surfaces and Gaps
Maneuver warfare concepts are fundamental to Marine Corps doctrine. Key concepts
include: Friction (countless factors make war difficult to conduct), Uncertainty, Fluidity,
Complexity, The Human Dimension, Physical, Moral and Mental Forces, Evolution of War,
Science and Art of War, Doctrine, Decentralized Command, and Surfaces and Gaps .
Q6. What is friction in the context of warfighting?
A. The physical movement of forces
B. Countless factors that make war difficult to conduct; when the simple is difficult and the
difficult is impossible
C. The resistance encountered from enemy forces
D. The logistical challenges of sustaining operations
Correct Answer: B. Countless factors that make war difficult to conduct; when the
simple is difficult and the difficult is impossible
Friction encompasses all the countless factors that make war difficult to conduct. As
Clausewitz described, "when the simple is difficult, and the difficult is impossible" .
Q7. What is a strategy of annihilation?
