School of Infantry

• The School of Infantry (SOI) is a key training institution in the United States Marine Corps, responsible for training all new Marines in infantry skills after they complete boot camp. • SOI was established in 1953 at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, to standardize advanced infantry training for Marines before assignment to operational units. • SOI is divided into two main locations: SOI East at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and SOI West at Camp Pendleton, California, each serving Marines from the eastern and western recruiting regions respectively. • SOI offers two primary training tracks: The Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) for Marines with infantry Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), and the Marine Combat Training (MCT) Battalion for non-infantry Marines. • MCT is a rigorous 29-day course that equips non-infantry Marines with vital combat skills, ensuring that all Marines, regardless of their specialty, are combat-ready. • ITB is a more intensive program lasting about 59 days, covering weapons systems, tactics, patrolling, and leadership, specifically tailored to future infantry Marines. • SOI instructors are highly experienced Marines, often selected from the top performers in the fleet, known for their ability to mentor and mold new Marines. • SOI has adapted its curriculum over the years to reflect changing combat environments, including urban warfare, counter-insurgency, and advanced weapons training. • Graduates of SOI have participated in every major conflict since the Korean War, making the institution a crucial part of Marine Corps readiness and effectiveness. • SOI traditions include the "Crucible"-style events, night movements, and realistic battlefield simulations, which foster unit cohesion and mental toughness among Marines.