Permanent Personnel

Commander's Intent
for
TBS Instructors and Staff

We have been entrusted by the Commandant with a sacred responsibility - training and educating newly commissioned and appointed officers. No command has a greater, more direct impact on the quality and competence of leadership across the Marine Corps than The Basic School (TBS). If we expect to train and educate the future of our Marine Corps, we must be Marines of the highest integrity, character, and competence. As instructors and staff, you are the main effort at TBS. The influence you have on the development of newly commissioned and appointed offices cannot be over-stated. By your example, you establish and enforce standards. You hold one of the most influential billets in our Corps. Take that responsibility seriously.

I expect you to embrace the following pillars as you execute your duties at TBS. I have no greater responsibility than to ensure TBS instructors and staff are Marines of the highest caliber and capable of developing, delivering, and assessing a world-class curriculum.

Sturdy Professionalism

• You will always be impeccable in your appearance, behavior, and language.

• You will always treat Marines and Sailors with the utmost dignity and respect.

• Your feedback will always be constructive...specifically aimed at making the student officer better

Skilled at Teaching and Coaching

• I expect that you will be technically and tactically competent. But that's not enough. You must also be skilled in teaching and coaching. That requires you to be an expert communicator, possess a high-degree of confidence and maturity, be a life-long learner, develop the emotional intelligence to connect with a variety of people, and be committed to the development of others.

Prime Time Learning

Prime Time Learning at TBS is whenever you are in-front of student officers, or directly involved with the execution of an event, or teaching your subordinates in your section. It is the time when 100% of your focus is on the delivery of that event. It requires you to be prepared, qualified, on time, in the proper uniform with the right equipment, and familiar with your environment and learning audience.

Find and Maintain YOUR work-life balance.

• Prioritize your family as well as your own health. Don't miss significant events...anniversaries, sporting events, graduations, birthdays, etc. We don't get that time back.

• Be a teammate... everybody rows.

• Manage your time... be efficient with the execution of your duties.

• Focus on the things that you can control...your thoughts, actions, reactions, and behavior.

• Stay above the redline...a positive mindset is contagious.

Endstate: TBS Instructors and Staff are grounded in the profession of arms, skilled in teaching and coaching Marines, committed to life-long learning, and leaders governed by integrity, humility, and service. I look forward to serving alongside you.

R. G. MCCARTHY III
Commanding Officer
The Basic School