CAPTAINS CAREER COURSE FINAL PAPER EXAM QUESTIONS ACCURATE ANSWERS
FULL SOLUTION
Captains Career Course Final Paper Practice
Questions and Answers Verified Solutions Latest
Update 2026/2027
Question:
● HISTORY OF ORGANIZED RANKS
Answer:
The leadership position of the Marine NCO did not begin with the birth of the United States Marines
Corps. This position evolved over centuries of military action and was influenced by different
cultures. Historically, armies consisted of officers and groups of men they enlisted to be in their
charge. As the first professional army in history, the Roman Legion formalized a military rank
structure that recognized subordinate ranks to the centurion who was the equivalent of today's
company commander. These individuals assisted the centurion in the running of the unit.
Question:
● optio
Answer:
the centurion's second in command and oversaw all training of the century. In battle, the optio
commanded the rear of the formation and was identified by a white and black plume and the wooden
staff he carried to enforce orders
Question:
● tesserarius
Answer:
the head of the guard, keeper of the watch, and second in command to the optio. This
noncommissioned officer oversaw fatigue and guard duties for the company.
Question:
● signifier
,Answer:
the treasurer and also carried the "standard," a medallion decorated staff that identified the company
rally point. He was third in command of the century and wore a draped bear's hide.
Question:
● decantus
Answer:
the first rank a legionary could be promoted to. Supervising a section of eight men, they oversaw
camp set-up and training while enforcing personal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. They
were identified by two feathers attached to the side of their helmets
Question:
● ORIGIN OF TERMS: CORPORAL
Answer:
The term corporal is derived from 15th century Italy. The Italian army's main tactical formation was
the squadra which translates into square. The squadra was commanded by a reliable veteran known
as the capo de squadra, or head of the square. A hundred years later, during the 17th century, the
term was shortened to caporale. At that same time, the French picked up the term pronouncing it in
various ways, one of them being corporal. By the 17th or 18th century, the British adopted the rank
of corporal. In 1803, when they began using chevrons, British corporals received two stripes. During
the American Revolution, both British and French regulations influenced the military structure of
the continental forces.
Question:
● ORIGIN OF TERMS: SERGEANT
Answer:
The term sergeant began as serviens, Latin for servant, to a knight in 13th century France. The
serviens were experienced warriors that rode horses, but were not wealthy enough to afford all the
equipment and retainers to qualify as a knight. Serviens would be called upon to take charge of a
group of serfs forced to serve in the army. They were responsible for conducting training, leading
serfs into battle, and keeping order. At the time it was an occupation, not a rank. The English
adopted the word from the French and began pronouncing it SAR-gent. The colonies continued to
,supply both soldiers and Marines to the British empire. Therefore, when the American colonies
created their own military it was only natural to include the rank of sergeant. Over the years,
technical advances and many different duties and responsibilities have led to several grades of
sergeant.
Question:
● RESOLUTION
Answer:
More than just our emblem was derived from the British Royal Marines. In the 17th and 18th
century American colonists were notably a maritime people. England found the colonists to be well
acclimated to service upon the sea and therefore, a large number were raised to serve the British
fleet as Royal Marines. On 10 Nov 1775, as the Second Continental Congress resolved that two
battalions of Marines be raised, numerous colonists possessed the training and experience that made
them the best sort for an efficient Marine force. The resolution specified structure to include one
colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and officers as usual in other regiments. "Other
regiments" is a reference to land forces. Corporals and sergeants were included among these officers
as they were in the British Royal Marines.
Question:
● TRANSFORMATION
Answer:
In 1777, as the Continental Army moved into winter quarters at Valley Forge they were low on
discipline, supplies, and victories. The British had taken the American capital of Philadelphia and
routed them at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. Painfully aware of his army's
shortcomings, General Washington requested an inspector-general to transform them into a
professional fighting force. The request was answered with the arrival of the Prussian Baron
Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben. The great efforts of Inspector General Von Steuben transformed
this ragtag army into a cohesive and disciplined fighting force that would defeat the elite British
military. His Revolutionary War Drill Manual or Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the
Troops of the United States commonly called "The Blue Book" established: Standardized drill
Camp sanitation Unit structure Leadership qualities Leadership duties and responsibilities Much of
what is done today stems from these teachings
Question:
, ● VALLEY FORGE: CONTINENTAL MARINES
Answer:
Just before the Battle of Trenton (1776), Major Samuel Nicholas was attached to the Continental
Army with three companies of Marines and assigned to serve as both infantry and artillery under
Colonel Cadwalader. In the fall of 1777, the Marines would follow the Continental Army into
winter quarters at Valley Forge where Maj. Nicholas continued to assist Col. Cadwalader as muster
master and quartermaster. During this period, Nicholas and the Marines would witness the great
transformation of the Continental Army. Congress judged that prescribing some invariable rules for
order and discipline of troops was inherently important and ordered that the decided regulations be
observed by all troops of the United states. At this time, Marines were held to both Navy
regulations, while at sea, and Army regulations, while on land. General Von Steuben's regulations
remained the official military guide until the War of 1812. Its relevance can still be seen in modern
use today especially in our recruit training.
Question:
● INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SERGEANT AND CORPORAL (1779)
Answer:
In his instructions, General Von Steuben first addressed the dress and arming of officer and enlisted
leadership. In Chapter 2, he begins to lay out their responsibilities. In these responsibilities, he
addresses the noncommissioned officers' duty as technical expert, instructor, and enforcer of
military regulations. To the commanding officers, Von Steuben addressed the importance of
selecting noncommissioned officers when he stated "The order and discipline of the regiment
depends so much upon their behavior." The instructions to sergeants and corporals more specifically
details the duties of the NCO within the company while cautioning against the pitfalls of
fraternization and hazing. These are timeless leadership practices as relevant today as they were
during the transformation of the Continental Army in 1779.
Question:
● CONTINENTAL MARINE CORPS: DECOMMISSIONING
Answer:
In 1785, Congress sold off the last of the naval vessels and with that the Continental Marines turned
in their equipment and mustered out of service. Although the thought of reorganizing the Navy and
Marine Corps did exist, at the conclusion of the war, finances of the new government were in no
condition to permit such a luxury. The record indicates that 131 officers were commissioned in the
Continental Marines. The exact number of noncommissioned officers and enlisted Marines is not
FULL SOLUTION
Captains Career Course Final Paper Practice
Questions and Answers Verified Solutions Latest
Update 2026/2027
Question:
● HISTORY OF ORGANIZED RANKS
Answer:
The leadership position of the Marine NCO did not begin with the birth of the United States Marines
Corps. This position evolved over centuries of military action and was influenced by different
cultures. Historically, armies consisted of officers and groups of men they enlisted to be in their
charge. As the first professional army in history, the Roman Legion formalized a military rank
structure that recognized subordinate ranks to the centurion who was the equivalent of today's
company commander. These individuals assisted the centurion in the running of the unit.
Question:
● optio
Answer:
the centurion's second in command and oversaw all training of the century. In battle, the optio
commanded the rear of the formation and was identified by a white and black plume and the wooden
staff he carried to enforce orders
Question:
● tesserarius
Answer:
the head of the guard, keeper of the watch, and second in command to the optio. This
noncommissioned officer oversaw fatigue and guard duties for the company.
Question:
● signifier
,Answer:
the treasurer and also carried the "standard," a medallion decorated staff that identified the company
rally point. He was third in command of the century and wore a draped bear's hide.
Question:
● decantus
Answer:
the first rank a legionary could be promoted to. Supervising a section of eight men, they oversaw
camp set-up and training while enforcing personal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. They
were identified by two feathers attached to the side of their helmets
Question:
● ORIGIN OF TERMS: CORPORAL
Answer:
The term corporal is derived from 15th century Italy. The Italian army's main tactical formation was
the squadra which translates into square. The squadra was commanded by a reliable veteran known
as the capo de squadra, or head of the square. A hundred years later, during the 17th century, the
term was shortened to caporale. At that same time, the French picked up the term pronouncing it in
various ways, one of them being corporal. By the 17th or 18th century, the British adopted the rank
of corporal. In 1803, when they began using chevrons, British corporals received two stripes. During
the American Revolution, both British and French regulations influenced the military structure of
the continental forces.
Question:
● ORIGIN OF TERMS: SERGEANT
Answer:
The term sergeant began as serviens, Latin for servant, to a knight in 13th century France. The
serviens were experienced warriors that rode horses, but were not wealthy enough to afford all the
equipment and retainers to qualify as a knight. Serviens would be called upon to take charge of a
group of serfs forced to serve in the army. They were responsible for conducting training, leading
serfs into battle, and keeping order. At the time it was an occupation, not a rank. The English
adopted the word from the French and began pronouncing it SAR-gent. The colonies continued to
,supply both soldiers and Marines to the British empire. Therefore, when the American colonies
created their own military it was only natural to include the rank of sergeant. Over the years,
technical advances and many different duties and responsibilities have led to several grades of
sergeant.
Question:
● RESOLUTION
Answer:
More than just our emblem was derived from the British Royal Marines. In the 17th and 18th
century American colonists were notably a maritime people. England found the colonists to be well
acclimated to service upon the sea and therefore, a large number were raised to serve the British
fleet as Royal Marines. On 10 Nov 1775, as the Second Continental Congress resolved that two
battalions of Marines be raised, numerous colonists possessed the training and experience that made
them the best sort for an efficient Marine force. The resolution specified structure to include one
colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and officers as usual in other regiments. "Other
regiments" is a reference to land forces. Corporals and sergeants were included among these officers
as they were in the British Royal Marines.
Question:
● TRANSFORMATION
Answer:
In 1777, as the Continental Army moved into winter quarters at Valley Forge they were low on
discipline, supplies, and victories. The British had taken the American capital of Philadelphia and
routed them at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. Painfully aware of his army's
shortcomings, General Washington requested an inspector-general to transform them into a
professional fighting force. The request was answered with the arrival of the Prussian Baron
Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben. The great efforts of Inspector General Von Steuben transformed
this ragtag army into a cohesive and disciplined fighting force that would defeat the elite British
military. His Revolutionary War Drill Manual or Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the
Troops of the United States commonly called "The Blue Book" established: Standardized drill
Camp sanitation Unit structure Leadership qualities Leadership duties and responsibilities Much of
what is done today stems from these teachings
Question:
, ● VALLEY FORGE: CONTINENTAL MARINES
Answer:
Just before the Battle of Trenton (1776), Major Samuel Nicholas was attached to the Continental
Army with three companies of Marines and assigned to serve as both infantry and artillery under
Colonel Cadwalader. In the fall of 1777, the Marines would follow the Continental Army into
winter quarters at Valley Forge where Maj. Nicholas continued to assist Col. Cadwalader as muster
master and quartermaster. During this period, Nicholas and the Marines would witness the great
transformation of the Continental Army. Congress judged that prescribing some invariable rules for
order and discipline of troops was inherently important and ordered that the decided regulations be
observed by all troops of the United states. At this time, Marines were held to both Navy
regulations, while at sea, and Army regulations, while on land. General Von Steuben's regulations
remained the official military guide until the War of 1812. Its relevance can still be seen in modern
use today especially in our recruit training.
Question:
● INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SERGEANT AND CORPORAL (1779)
Answer:
In his instructions, General Von Steuben first addressed the dress and arming of officer and enlisted
leadership. In Chapter 2, he begins to lay out their responsibilities. In these responsibilities, he
addresses the noncommissioned officers' duty as technical expert, instructor, and enforcer of
military regulations. To the commanding officers, Von Steuben addressed the importance of
selecting noncommissioned officers when he stated "The order and discipline of the regiment
depends so much upon their behavior." The instructions to sergeants and corporals more specifically
details the duties of the NCO within the company while cautioning against the pitfalls of
fraternization and hazing. These are timeless leadership practices as relevant today as they were
during the transformation of the Continental Army in 1779.
Question:
● CONTINENTAL MARINE CORPS: DECOMMISSIONING
Answer:
In 1785, Congress sold off the last of the naval vessels and with that the Continental Marines turned
in their equipment and mustered out of service. Although the thought of reorganizing the Navy and
Marine Corps did exist, at the conclusion of the war, finances of the new government were in no
condition to permit such a luxury. The record indicates that 131 officers were commissioned in the
Continental Marines. The exact number of noncommissioned officers and enlisted Marines is not
