TBS Phase 1 Exam A-23 Questions and Answers 2026 | 180+ Marine Corps Exam Questions | Warfighting, Combat Lifesaving, Land Navigation, OPSEC, Leadership & Law of War

This comprehensive TBS Phase 1 Exam A-23 study guide contains more than 180 exam-style questions and verified answers covering the core leadership, warfighting, tactical planning, combat casualty care, operational security, communications security, military ethics, land navigation, and Marine Corps doctrine topics taught at The Basic School (TBS). Developed for newly commissioned Marine officers, officer candidates, and professional military education students, the material provides a detailed review of the concepts, procedures, and doctrinal principles most frequently assessed during TBS Phase 1 evaluations. The question-and-answer format allows learners to reinforce knowledge retention while preparing for academic examinations, field assessments, and leadership development requirements. The guide provides extensive coverage of Marine Corps leadership principles, officership, decision-making, equal opportunity, fraternization policy, sexual harassment prevention, ethical leadership, adaptive leadership competencies, and the Five Horizontal Themes of Officership. Students will review leadership responsibilities, leadership traits, command responsibilities, troop welfare considerations, resilience development, combat stress management, and the professional standards expected of Marine Corps officers. Special emphasis is placed on analytical and recognition-primed decision-making models, the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) Loop, and ethical decision-making under operational pressure. A substantial portion of the material focuses on Marine Corps warfighting doctrine and tactical operations, including maneuver warfare philosophy, battlefield dynamics, levels of war, spectrum of conflict, tactical planning, troop-leading steps, METT-TC analysis, enemy course of action development, center of gravity analysis, command and control, tactical communications, and the principles of war. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how Marine leaders apply maneuver warfare concepts, exploit enemy vulnerabilities, generate combat power, and achieve mission success in uncertain and rapidly changing operational environments. The content closely reflects the principles outlined in MCDP 1: Warfighting, one of the foundational doctrinal publications of the United States Marine Corps. The study guide also delivers extensive instruction on combat casualty care and battlefield medicine, including hemorrhage control, tourniquet application, shock management, casualty evacuation procedures, CASEVAC and MEDEVAC operations, Tactical Evacuation (TACEVAC), burn classifications, sucking chest wounds, airway management, casualty assessment, and the ABCs of lifesaving. Students will review the leading causes of preventable battlefield deaths, casualty reporting procedures, 9-Line CASEVAC requests, and the prioritization of lifesaving interventions under combat conditions. These topics are essential for maintaining combat effectiveness and maximizing survivability in operational environments. Additional content covers Operational Security (OPSEC), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), security classifications, espionage awareness, classified material handling, Communications Security (COMSEC), Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI), radio communications, frequency bands, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) communications systems. Students will examine the responsibilities associated with protecting sensitive information, maintaining communications security, and supporting command-and-control functions across all levels of military operations. The document further explores military law and ethics, including the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), Law of War principles, Rules of Engagement (ROE), proportionality, combatant identification, military necessity, and lawful targeting considerations. Additional instruction is provided on environmental injuries and field survival topics such as frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, venomous wildlife hazards, and preventive measures for maintaining operational readiness in challenging climates and terrain. Land navigation topics include map reading, Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), contour intervals, terrain association, resection, intersection, grid coordinates, azimuth conversions, magnetic declination, compass techniques, attack points, catching features, inspection methods, and navigation planning. These skills form a critical component of TBS field training and are essential competencies for Marine officers operating in expeditionary and combat environments. The content aligns closely with official Marine Corps doctrinal publications and training references, including MCDP 1 Warfighting, MCWP 6-11 Leading Marines, Marine Corps Values Program materials, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) principles, land navigation instruction, communications doctrine, and force protection guidance. The study material reflects the professional knowledge, tactical competence, and leadership standards expected of Marine Corps officers throughout The Basic School curriculum and future operational assignments. This document is highly relevant for TBS students, Marine Corps officers, officer candidates, NROTC midshipmen, PLC candidates, OCC candidates, infantry officers, logistics officers, communications officers, intelligence officers, military academy students, professional military education participants, and service members preparing for TBS examinations, officer qualification assessments, promotion boards, leadership evaluations, or advanced military training programs. It is particularly valuable for individuals seeking a comprehensive and exam-focused review of Marine Corps doctrine, leadership, tactical planning, combat medicine, land navigation, and warfighting principles. Keywords TBS Phase 1, TBS Exam A-23, The Basic School, Marine Corps exam questions, Marine officer training, Marine Corps leadership, warfighting doctrine, MCDP 1 Warfighting, maneuver warfare, OODA Loop, troop leading steps, METT-TC, tactical planning, combat leadership, command and control, tactical communications, MAGTF communications, OPSEC, operational security, COMSEC, communications security, CCI accountability, classified information, PII protection, espionage awareness, Law of War, Law of Armed Conflict, Rules of Engagement, proportionality, combatant identification, combat casualty care, battlefield medicine, tourniquet application, hemorrhage control, CASEVAC, MEDEVAC, TACEVAC, 9 Line CASEVAC request, shock treatment, sucking chest wound, land navigation, MGRS, map reading, terrain association, resection, intersection, compass techniques, military ethics, Marine Corps values, equal opportunity, fraternization policy, combat stress, United States Marine Corps