Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA --
A female Marine
officer made history aboard Quantico by being the first female to complete the
Infantry Officer Course (IOC) and earning the infantry officer military
occupational specialty (MOS).
The lieutenant, who
asked to keep her identity private, is the first female officer to successfully
complete the course since the Marine Corps opened all military occupational
specialties, including all combat MOSs to women in April 2016.
“I am proud of this
officer and those in her class who have earned the infantry officer MOS,” said
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller.
The Infantry Officer
Course is the MOS-producing school for Marine Corps infantry officers and the
prerequisite course for ground intelligence officers. The grueling 13-week
course trains and educates newly selected infantry and ground intelligence
officers in leadership, infantry skills, and character, which are all required
to serve as infantry platoon commanders in the operating forces.
One hundred and
thirty-one Marines started the course in July, and 88 graduated.
“Marines expect and
rightfully deserve competent and capable leaders, and these IOC graduates met
every training requirement as they prepare for the next challenge of leading
infantry Marines, ultimately, in combat,” said Neller.
Her follow-on
assignment is to 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.