TBS PHASE 4 COMPREHENSIVE
CERTIFICATION PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● 5 types of promotions.
Answer: 1- regular- with CO's rec
2- meritorious- complete PME, TIG waived; must meet TIS
-(below SSgt) performance superior than peers; not allowed above
GySgt
-(SSgt+) depends on allocations for SDA/non-SDA
3- incentive- for Marines entering USMC
4- accelerated- Sgt, SSGt- based on exceptional, noteworthy and
commendatory performance
5- remedial- for admin errors; must submit to ESRB
●● composite score.
Answer: mathematical calculation of certain data elements reported on
unit diary that is used as a measuring factor for Marine Corps side
comparison of Marines within a given grade and MOS/OccFld
●● eligibility requirements for promotion.
Answer: § minimum TIG = must have min amt of exp in grade prior to
promotion
,§ minimum TIS = must have min amt of exp in service prior to
promotion
●● platoon commander's role in the promotion process.
Answer: § commander must;
-provide promotion recommendations via fitness report
-ensure promotion ceremonies are conducted
-Ensure strict compliance with the policies and regulations
-ensure all enlisted marines meet standards of professionalism, personal
performance, and leadership
-dont promote unless Marine can be expected to assume the
responsibilities and duties of that grade
-ensure qualified marines are expeditiously promoted
●● factors affecting career development,.
Answer: Proficiency/Conduct marks, Composite/Cutting Score, Page
11/6105, Time in service/grade
●● what is an appointing authority.
Answer: appoints IOs to a preliminary inquiry (PI)
●● what is a command investigation.
,Answer: functions to search out, develop, assemble, analyze, and record
all available information relative to the incident under investigation; not
for major incidents
●● what are characteristics of line of duty misconduct investigation.
Answer: -Required for cases of death and certain cases of injury or
disease incurred by members of his or her command
-can affect several benefits and/or rights
-findings must be made in cases of disease or injury where: 1- perm
disability; 2-physical inability to perform duty for 24hrs
●● define the findings of fact section per JAG INST 5800.7.
Answer: § A fact is something that is or happens
●● determine the opinion section in accordance with JAG
INSTRUCTION5800.7.
Answer: Reasonable evaluations, interferences, or conclusions based on
the facts found. Opinions are value judgements
●● Ø Given the opinions section, determine the recommendations
section in accordance with JAG INSTRUCTION 5800.7.
Answer: Proposals made on the basis of the opinions
●● Describe the IED network (7).
, Answer: 1. Intended outcomes
2. tactical leaders/planners
3. intel/surveillance/propaganda- target selection + planning
4. recruiting/funding
5. supply/facilitators
6. IED makers
7. Emplacers- low-man in the IED network; works for the $$
●● IED intended outcomes (3).
Answer: 1 Strategic- to make a political statement
2 Operational- isolate population, disrupt freedom of movement, create
perception of insecurity
3. Tactical- disrupt normal activities + material, cause casualties,
obstacles, identify coalition TTPs
●● IED Components- 5.
Answer: 1 SWITCH- arming, firing; 3 methods- command, time, victim
operated
2 INITIATOR- starts detonation
3 MAIN CHARGE- 3 types- military, commercial, homemade
4 POWER SOURCE
5 CONTAINER- conceals the components
CERTIFICATION PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● 5 types of promotions.
Answer: 1- regular- with CO's rec
2- meritorious- complete PME, TIG waived; must meet TIS
-(below SSgt) performance superior than peers; not allowed above
GySgt
-(SSgt+) depends on allocations for SDA/non-SDA
3- incentive- for Marines entering USMC
4- accelerated- Sgt, SSGt- based on exceptional, noteworthy and
commendatory performance
5- remedial- for admin errors; must submit to ESRB
●● composite score.
Answer: mathematical calculation of certain data elements reported on
unit diary that is used as a measuring factor for Marine Corps side
comparison of Marines within a given grade and MOS/OccFld
●● eligibility requirements for promotion.
Answer: § minimum TIG = must have min amt of exp in grade prior to
promotion
,§ minimum TIS = must have min amt of exp in service prior to
promotion
●● platoon commander's role in the promotion process.
Answer: § commander must;
-provide promotion recommendations via fitness report
-ensure promotion ceremonies are conducted
-Ensure strict compliance with the policies and regulations
-ensure all enlisted marines meet standards of professionalism, personal
performance, and leadership
-dont promote unless Marine can be expected to assume the
responsibilities and duties of that grade
-ensure qualified marines are expeditiously promoted
●● factors affecting career development,.
Answer: Proficiency/Conduct marks, Composite/Cutting Score, Page
11/6105, Time in service/grade
●● what is an appointing authority.
Answer: appoints IOs to a preliminary inquiry (PI)
●● what is a command investigation.
,Answer: functions to search out, develop, assemble, analyze, and record
all available information relative to the incident under investigation; not
for major incidents
●● what are characteristics of line of duty misconduct investigation.
Answer: -Required for cases of death and certain cases of injury or
disease incurred by members of his or her command
-can affect several benefits and/or rights
-findings must be made in cases of disease or injury where: 1- perm
disability; 2-physical inability to perform duty for 24hrs
●● define the findings of fact section per JAG INST 5800.7.
Answer: § A fact is something that is or happens
●● determine the opinion section in accordance with JAG
INSTRUCTION5800.7.
Answer: Reasonable evaluations, interferences, or conclusions based on
the facts found. Opinions are value judgements
●● Ø Given the opinions section, determine the recommendations
section in accordance with JAG INSTRUCTION 5800.7.
Answer: Proposals made on the basis of the opinions
●● Describe the IED network (7).
, Answer: 1. Intended outcomes
2. tactical leaders/planners
3. intel/surveillance/propaganda- target selection + planning
4. recruiting/funding
5. supply/facilitators
6. IED makers
7. Emplacers- low-man in the IED network; works for the $$
●● IED intended outcomes (3).
Answer: 1 Strategic- to make a political statement
2 Operational- isolate population, disrupt freedom of movement, create
perception of insecurity
3. Tactical- disrupt normal activities + material, cause casualties,
obstacles, identify coalition TTPs
●● IED Components- 5.
Answer: 1 SWITCH- arming, firing; 3 methods- command, time, victim
operated
2 INITIATOR- starts detonation
3 MAIN CHARGE- 3 types- military, commercial, homemade
4 POWER SOURCE
5 CONTAINER- conceals the components
