MAWs

          emblem of MAWs
                                           motto knowledge and understanding in kanji

MAWs The Basic School Welcome Package

3067 December 2

Miyamoto Musashi

Congratulations on your selection as an Officer candidate at The Basic School. The Basic School trains and educates newly commissioned or appointed candidates in the high standards of professional knowledge, esprit de corps, and leadership to prepare them for duty as company grade Officers in the operating forces, with particular emphasis on the duties, responsibilities, and warfighting skills required of a commander. The Basic School course focuses on five horizontal themes that define expectations of all Officers.

                                                          1. A person of exemplary character
                                                          2. Devotion to leadership
                                                          3. An ability to decide, communicate, and act in the fog of war
                                                          4. A warfighter who embraces the warrior ethos
                                                          5. Mentally strong and physically tough

Throughout the course the universal concept that Officers must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of various decisions, make a decision, develop a plan, communicate that plan effectively, and supervise its execution is stressed. The course will teach the science and art required for service as an Officer with an emphasis on decision making. Since all candidates are evaluated on leadership as an Officer, physical, mental, and emotional stress are incorporated throughout the course in order to evaluate the ability to lead in chaotic and stressful environments. Some individuals will be pushed close to their failing point, but TBS is designed to give candidates an opportunity to display positive leadership qualities in the face of adversity.

All candidates must review and show completion of the following courses on MAWS.net before your TBS session begins
                                                    The Basic School Reading List
                                                    Business Writing: editing and proofreading
                                                    Business Writing: sentence construction
                                                    Business Writing: mechanics of writing
                                                    Business Writing: punctuation
                                                    Combat Orders and Reports
                                                    Warfighting
                                                    Tactics
                                                    Planning
                                                    Command and Control
                                                    Leadership
                                                    Operational Terms and Graphics
                                                    Records Management Training

All candidates must provide proof of physical fitness and certification of being medically ready and able to train

All candidates must provide certification of qualifications in rifle, pistol, and swim

Candidates should be prepared for dismounted movement under load at a 4.83kph pace up to 16.1 kilometers, candidates may anticipate multiple individual land navigation events, and unit field exercises on uneven terrain in daylight and darkness within an area up to twenty square kilometers. Candidates may also anticipate running a double standard obstacle course, as well as the TBS Endurance Course.

There will be ten weeks of 'class time' and PFT's that includes combat conditioning practical applications, skill training, tactical decision games, sand table exercises, decision forcing cases, and platform instruction of leadership, tactics, strategy, military history, military philosophy, and protocol. Followed by ten weeks of exercises and field events.

Candidates should make themselves familiar withall the enclosed information links
                                                    Contact Info
                                                    Housing Info
                                                    TBS Chaplain
                                                    Area Maps
                                                    Check-in Instructions
                                                    Candidate Material
                                                    Marine Point Community Guide
                                                    Vehicle Registration
                                                    Candidate Checklist
                                                    Attire Guidelines
                                                    Code of Military Justice
                                                    Graduation and Appointment Ceremony Information and Checklist

All candidates must check-in between 0700 and 1700, on 3068 February 3, at MAWs Headquarters, Camp Sodateru, Marine Point, Hawaiishima

Sincerely,
Dr. Donald Yamamoto
       Dean, Marine Advanced Warfighting School

Tai-sa Keil Zinni DCA reserve
        Director, Marine Advanced Warfighting School

Sho-sa Damiano Miyabara, Devil Dogs
        Commander, The Basic School