Marine Corps TBS Phase 3 Exam Practice Questions (Original) EXAM | Latest Update |
Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Advanced tactical planning, offensive and
defensive operations, machine gun employment, fire support,
engineering, patrolling, and troop-leading procedures.
Section 1: Warfighting & Maneuver Warfare
Q1. Which three principles of maneuver warfare are most
emphasized in the 2025 TBS Phase 3 curriculum?
A. Surprise
B. Tempo
C. Focus on enemy's center of gravity
D. Attrition-based frontal assault
E. Static defense as primary posture
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Surprise, tempo, and targeting the enemy's center of
gravity are core to maneuver warfare; attrition and static
defense are contrary to its principles.
Q2. Under the 2025 MCDP 1 (Warfighting) update, "tempo" is
defined as:
A. Speed of movement multiplied by effectiveness of action
B. Number of rounds fired per minute
,C. Distance covered per hour
D. Time between commander's decision and execution
Answer: A
Rationale: Tempo = speed × effectiveness. Options B, C, and D
are factors that contribute to tempo but do not capture the full
definition.
Q3. Select all that apply: The 2026 Marine Corps doctrine on
"cognitive warfare" includes:
A. Information manipulation to degrade adversary decision-
making
B. Use of AI-generated deepfakes for psychological operations
C. Protection of friendly force cognitive resilience
D. Guarding the command post only
Answer: A, C
Rationale: Cognitive warfare doctrine includes both offensive
information manipulation and defensive protection of friendly
cognitive resilience. AI deepfakes are not officially sanctioned
for psychological operations, and guarding the command post is
a physical security task, not cognitive warfare.
Q4. Under the 2025 MCDP 1-3 (Tactics), the "role of the
reserve" is to:
A. Exploit success and reinforce or relieve engaged forces
B. Remain in garrison at all times
,C. Lead the first assault wave
D. Guard the command post only
Answer: A
Rationale: Reserves exploit success, reinforce, or relieve
engaged forces. They do not lead the first assault or only guard
the command post.
Q5. Which of the following are characteristics of maneuver
warfare?
A. Exploiting enemy weaknesses rather than strengths
B. Rapid exploitation of gaps
C. Fixing the enemy while maneuvering
D. Frontal assault as the first option
E. Withdrawal at first contact
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Maneuver warfare exploits weaknesses, gaps, and
fixing the enemy. Frontal assault is an attrition tactic, and
withdrawal at first contact is not an offensive principle.
Q6. The 2026 update to MCDP 6 (Command and Control)
emphasizes:
A. AI-assisted decision support for battalion commanders
B. Abolition of mission command
C. Centralization of all intelligence at division level
D. Removal of small unit initiative
, Answer: A
Rationale: The 2026 update emphasizes AI-assisted decision
support for commanders. Mission command remains the
doctrinal approach; centralization and removal of small unit
initiative are opposite to Marine Corps doctrine.
Q7. Which three threats are newly identified in the 2025
Marine Corps Operating Concept?
A. Autonomous drone swarms
B. AI-enabled disinformation campaigns
C. Hypersonic missiles targeting command posts
D. Bayonet-wielding cavalry
E. Signal flags at night
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Drone swarms, AI disinformation, and hypersonic
missiles are the emerging threats identified in the 2025
operating concept. The other options are obsolete tactics.
Q8. Which of the following best describes the "center of
gravity" concept in maneuver warfare?
A. The geographic center of the battlefield
B. The source of an enemy's strength or power that, if
neutralized, will lead to their defeat
C. The commander's command post location
D. The main supply route of friendly forces
Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Advanced tactical planning, offensive and
defensive operations, machine gun employment, fire support,
engineering, patrolling, and troop-leading procedures.
Section 1: Warfighting & Maneuver Warfare
Q1. Which three principles of maneuver warfare are most
emphasized in the 2025 TBS Phase 3 curriculum?
A. Surprise
B. Tempo
C. Focus on enemy's center of gravity
D. Attrition-based frontal assault
E. Static defense as primary posture
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Surprise, tempo, and targeting the enemy's center of
gravity are core to maneuver warfare; attrition and static
defense are contrary to its principles.
Q2. Under the 2025 MCDP 1 (Warfighting) update, "tempo" is
defined as:
A. Speed of movement multiplied by effectiveness of action
B. Number of rounds fired per minute
,C. Distance covered per hour
D. Time between commander's decision and execution
Answer: A
Rationale: Tempo = speed × effectiveness. Options B, C, and D
are factors that contribute to tempo but do not capture the full
definition.
Q3. Select all that apply: The 2026 Marine Corps doctrine on
"cognitive warfare" includes:
A. Information manipulation to degrade adversary decision-
making
B. Use of AI-generated deepfakes for psychological operations
C. Protection of friendly force cognitive resilience
D. Guarding the command post only
Answer: A, C
Rationale: Cognitive warfare doctrine includes both offensive
information manipulation and defensive protection of friendly
cognitive resilience. AI deepfakes are not officially sanctioned
for psychological operations, and guarding the command post is
a physical security task, not cognitive warfare.
Q4. Under the 2025 MCDP 1-3 (Tactics), the "role of the
reserve" is to:
A. Exploit success and reinforce or relieve engaged forces
B. Remain in garrison at all times
,C. Lead the first assault wave
D. Guard the command post only
Answer: A
Rationale: Reserves exploit success, reinforce, or relieve
engaged forces. They do not lead the first assault or only guard
the command post.
Q5. Which of the following are characteristics of maneuver
warfare?
A. Exploiting enemy weaknesses rather than strengths
B. Rapid exploitation of gaps
C. Fixing the enemy while maneuvering
D. Frontal assault as the first option
E. Withdrawal at first contact
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Maneuver warfare exploits weaknesses, gaps, and
fixing the enemy. Frontal assault is an attrition tactic, and
withdrawal at first contact is not an offensive principle.
Q6. The 2026 update to MCDP 6 (Command and Control)
emphasizes:
A. AI-assisted decision support for battalion commanders
B. Abolition of mission command
C. Centralization of all intelligence at division level
D. Removal of small unit initiative
, Answer: A
Rationale: The 2026 update emphasizes AI-assisted decision
support for commanders. Mission command remains the
doctrinal approach; centralization and removal of small unit
initiative are opposite to Marine Corps doctrine.
Q7. Which three threats are newly identified in the 2025
Marine Corps Operating Concept?
A. Autonomous drone swarms
B. AI-enabled disinformation campaigns
C. Hypersonic missiles targeting command posts
D. Bayonet-wielding cavalry
E. Signal flags at night
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Drone swarms, AI disinformation, and hypersonic
missiles are the emerging threats identified in the 2025
operating concept. The other options are obsolete tactics.
Q8. Which of the following best describes the "center of
gravity" concept in maneuver warfare?
A. The geographic center of the battlefield
B. The source of an enemy's strength or power that, if
neutralized, will lead to their defeat
C. The commander's command post location
D. The main supply route of friendly forces
