TBS PHASE 1 EXAM 2026/2027
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
EXAM OVERVIEW
The TBS Phase 1 Exam is administered to newly commissioned Marine Corps
officers attending The Basic School (TBS) at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
The exam evaluates knowledge across multiple domains essential for entry-level
Marine officers.
Feature Detail
Governing
The Basic School (TBS), United States Marine Corps
Body
Target Newly commissioned Marine Corps officers, officer candidates, NROTC
Audience midshipmen, PLC candidates, OCC candidates
,Feature Detail
Leadership, Warfighting Doctrine, Operational Security (OPSEC), Tactical
Exam
Communications, Law of War, Risk Management, Land Navigation, UCMJ, Core
Domains
Values, Combat Casualty Care, MAGTF Operations
Core Exam Domains
1. Leadership Principles & Traits — 14 Leadership Traits, 11 Leadership
Principles
2. Warfighting Doctrine — Maneuver warfare, tenets of Marine Corps
philosophy
3. Tactical Communications — Frequency spectrums (HF, VHF, UHF,
SATCOM), radio systems (AN/PRC-117F, AN/PRC-152), FIRST-S principles
4. Operational Security (OPSEC) — Process, PII, classification levels
5. Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) — Principles, Geneva Conventions, rules of
engagement
6. Risk Management — 5-step process, ORM levels
7. Land Navigation — Map reading, terrain association, dead reckoning
8. UCMJ & Core Values — Honor, Courage, Commitment; Articles of the UCMJ
9. Combat Casualty Care (CASEVAC) — TCCC, evacuation procedures
10. MAGTF Operations — Marine Air-Ground Task Force structure and
communications
SECTION 1: LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES & TRAITS (Questions 1–15)
,1. 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. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
Rationale: This 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.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the 14 Leadership Traits?
A. Justice
B. Judgement
C. Indecisiveness
D. Integrity
Answer: C. Indecisiveness
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.
, 3. "Set the example" is an example of a:
A. Leadership Trait
B. Leadership Principle
C. Core Value
D. UCMJ Article
Answer: B. Leadership Principle
Rationale: "Set the example" is one of the 11 Leadership Principles. Leaders must
model the behavior they expect from their Marines.
4. Which Leadership Trait is defined as the ability to weigh facts and possible
solutions on which to base sound decisions?
A. Justice
B. Judgement
C. Tact
D. Bearing
Answer: B. Judgement
Rationale: Judgement is the ability to weigh facts and possible courses of action to
make sound decisions. It requires logical analysis and consideration of
consequences.
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
EXAM OVERVIEW
The TBS Phase 1 Exam is administered to newly commissioned Marine Corps
officers attending The Basic School (TBS) at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
The exam evaluates knowledge across multiple domains essential for entry-level
Marine officers.
Feature Detail
Governing
The Basic School (TBS), United States Marine Corps
Body
Target Newly commissioned Marine Corps officers, officer candidates, NROTC
Audience midshipmen, PLC candidates, OCC candidates
,Feature Detail
Leadership, Warfighting Doctrine, Operational Security (OPSEC), Tactical
Exam
Communications, Law of War, Risk Management, Land Navigation, UCMJ, Core
Domains
Values, Combat Casualty Care, MAGTF Operations
Core Exam Domains
1. Leadership Principles & Traits — 14 Leadership Traits, 11 Leadership
Principles
2. Warfighting Doctrine — Maneuver warfare, tenets of Marine Corps
philosophy
3. Tactical Communications — Frequency spectrums (HF, VHF, UHF,
SATCOM), radio systems (AN/PRC-117F, AN/PRC-152), FIRST-S principles
4. Operational Security (OPSEC) — Process, PII, classification levels
5. Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) — Principles, Geneva Conventions, rules of
engagement
6. Risk Management — 5-step process, ORM levels
7. Land Navigation — Map reading, terrain association, dead reckoning
8. UCMJ & Core Values — Honor, Courage, Commitment; Articles of the UCMJ
9. Combat Casualty Care (CASEVAC) — TCCC, evacuation procedures
10. MAGTF Operations — Marine Air-Ground Task Force structure and
communications
SECTION 1: LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES & TRAITS (Questions 1–15)
,1. 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. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
Rationale: This 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.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the 14 Leadership Traits?
A. Justice
B. Judgement
C. Indecisiveness
D. Integrity
Answer: C. Indecisiveness
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.
, 3. "Set the example" is an example of a:
A. Leadership Trait
B. Leadership Principle
C. Core Value
D. UCMJ Article
Answer: B. Leadership Principle
Rationale: "Set the example" is one of the 11 Leadership Principles. Leaders must
model the behavior they expect from their Marines.
4. Which Leadership Trait is defined as the ability to weigh facts and possible
solutions on which to base sound decisions?
A. Justice
B. Judgement
C. Tact
D. Bearing
Answer: B. Judgement
Rationale: Judgement is the ability to weigh facts and possible courses of action to
make sound decisions. It requires logical analysis and consideration of
consequences.
