Marines

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Marines participate in an exercise during the Infantry Officer Course aboard Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 10, . The first female Marine to complete the course graduated Sept. 25.

Photo by U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Gunnery Sgt. Chad McMeen

First Female Marine Graduates Infantry Officer Course

5 Oct 2017 | Training and Education Command Public Affairs Marine Corps Base Quantico

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.


Marine Corps Base Quantico