Marine Corps TBS Phase 1 Exam Practice Questions & Study Guide (Original) EXAM | Latest Update
| Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Individual skills, land navigation, weapons
qualification, combat lifesaving (TCCC), leadership ethics,
tactical communications, and operational security.
Phase 1 Overview: Individual Skills (7 Weeks)
Phase I of The Basic School is where newly commissioned
officers begin their transition from officer candidates to
functional Marine lieutenants. The focus is on individual
proficiency — developing the foundational abilities essential for
effective leadership and operational success.
Key events during this phase include:
• Rifle and pistol qualification
• Land navigation (day and night)
• Communications
• Combat lifesaving (TCCC)
• Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP)
The Phase 1 Written Exam evaluates learning objectives from
this phase and covers troop leading steps, combat orders, land
navigation, weapons and condition codes, OPSEC, law of war,
,leadership ethics, TCCC, military correspondence, risk
management, and patrolling fundamentals.
Section 1: Troop Leading Steps & Combat Orders (Q1–40)
Q1. What does the acronym BAMCIS represent?
A) Battle, Assault, Maneuver, Control, Intelligence, Support
B) Begin planning, Arrange reconnaissance, Make
reconnaissance, Complete the plan, Issue the order, Supervise
C) Brief, Assess, Mobilize, Coordinate, Implement, Supervise
D) Begin, Analyze, Move, Communicate, Inspect, Secure
Answer: B
Rationale: BAMCIS is the six-step Marine Corps troop leading
process. It begins with planning and reconnaissance, moves
through plan completion and issuance, and culminates in
supervision — which is continuous throughout the operation.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the five-
paragraph order (SMEAC)?
A) Situation
B) Mission
C) Administration
D) Intelligence
Answer: D
Rationale: SMEAC stands for Situation, Mission, Execution,
Administration and Logistics, and Command and Signal.
,Intelligence is a subset of the Situation paragraph, not a
standalone paragraph.
Q3. In the five-paragraph order, where would you find the
Commander's Intent?
A) Paragraph 1 (Situation)
B) Paragraph 2 (Mission)
C) Paragraph 3 (Execution)
D) Paragraph 5 (Command and Signal)
Answer: C
Rationale: Paragraph 3 (Execution) begins with the
Commander's Intent, which provides the purpose, key tasks,
and end state of the operation.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of a warning order
(WARNORD)?
A) To provide a detailed operations order
B) To alert units of an upcoming operation and initiate
preparation
C) To conduct an after-action review
D) To issue administrative directives
Answer: B
Rationale: Warning orders alert subordinates to prepare for
operations and allow parallel planning while the commander
continues detailed planning.
, Q5. What is the first step of BAMCIS?
A) Arrange for reconnaissance
B) Begin Planning
C) Issue the Order
D) Make reconnaissance
Answer: B
Rationale: BAMCIS begins with Begin Planning, which involves
analyzing the mission using METT-TC and issuing a warning
order to subordinate elements.
Q6. What action immediately follows "Arrange for
Reconnaissance and Coordination" in BAMCIS?
A) Issue the Order
B) Make Reconnaissance
C) Complete the Plan
D) Supervise
Answer: B
Rationale: Making the physical or map reconnaissance follows
immediately after arranging for it.
Q7. What is the primary purpose of a fragmentary order
(FRAGO)?
A) To modify specific elements of an existing order
B) To issue a completely new operations order
C) To conduct a reconnaissance in force
D) To establish a defensive perimeter
| Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Individual skills, land navigation, weapons
qualification, combat lifesaving (TCCC), leadership ethics,
tactical communications, and operational security.
Phase 1 Overview: Individual Skills (7 Weeks)
Phase I of The Basic School is where newly commissioned
officers begin their transition from officer candidates to
functional Marine lieutenants. The focus is on individual
proficiency — developing the foundational abilities essential for
effective leadership and operational success.
Key events during this phase include:
• Rifle and pistol qualification
• Land navigation (day and night)
• Communications
• Combat lifesaving (TCCC)
• Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP)
The Phase 1 Written Exam evaluates learning objectives from
this phase and covers troop leading steps, combat orders, land
navigation, weapons and condition codes, OPSEC, law of war,
,leadership ethics, TCCC, military correspondence, risk
management, and patrolling fundamentals.
Section 1: Troop Leading Steps & Combat Orders (Q1–40)
Q1. What does the acronym BAMCIS represent?
A) Battle, Assault, Maneuver, Control, Intelligence, Support
B) Begin planning, Arrange reconnaissance, Make
reconnaissance, Complete the plan, Issue the order, Supervise
C) Brief, Assess, Mobilize, Coordinate, Implement, Supervise
D) Begin, Analyze, Move, Communicate, Inspect, Secure
Answer: B
Rationale: BAMCIS is the six-step Marine Corps troop leading
process. It begins with planning and reconnaissance, moves
through plan completion and issuance, and culminates in
supervision — which is continuous throughout the operation.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the five-
paragraph order (SMEAC)?
A) Situation
B) Mission
C) Administration
D) Intelligence
Answer: D
Rationale: SMEAC stands for Situation, Mission, Execution,
Administration and Logistics, and Command and Signal.
,Intelligence is a subset of the Situation paragraph, not a
standalone paragraph.
Q3. In the five-paragraph order, where would you find the
Commander's Intent?
A) Paragraph 1 (Situation)
B) Paragraph 2 (Mission)
C) Paragraph 3 (Execution)
D) Paragraph 5 (Command and Signal)
Answer: C
Rationale: Paragraph 3 (Execution) begins with the
Commander's Intent, which provides the purpose, key tasks,
and end state of the operation.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of a warning order
(WARNORD)?
A) To provide a detailed operations order
B) To alert units of an upcoming operation and initiate
preparation
C) To conduct an after-action review
D) To issue administrative directives
Answer: B
Rationale: Warning orders alert subordinates to prepare for
operations and allow parallel planning while the commander
continues detailed planning.
, Q5. What is the first step of BAMCIS?
A) Arrange for reconnaissance
B) Begin Planning
C) Issue the Order
D) Make reconnaissance
Answer: B
Rationale: BAMCIS begins with Begin Planning, which involves
analyzing the mission using METT-TC and issuing a warning
order to subordinate elements.
Q6. What action immediately follows "Arrange for
Reconnaissance and Coordination" in BAMCIS?
A) Issue the Order
B) Make Reconnaissance
C) Complete the Plan
D) Supervise
Answer: B
Rationale: Making the physical or map reconnaissance follows
immediately after arranging for it.
Q7. What is the primary purpose of a fragmentary order
(FRAGO)?
A) To modify specific elements of an existing order
B) To issue a completely new operations order
C) To conduct a reconnaissance in force
D) To establish a defensive perimeter
