SOI or basic?

[Beowulf]

I was talking to a friend of mine, and he told me that S.O.I. was more challenging than Basic. I was wondering if everybody felt that way or just my friend?

[RFleischman]

There is no basic in the Marine Corps. It is called Recruit Training, Boot camp or simply Boot. Not basic.

[Grimmy]

I went thru Boot Camp and it was pretty challanging lol...have no clue what S.O.I is tho.

[Beowulf]

School of Infantry

[Grimmy]

You mean ITS? (Infantry Training School)?

If so, Boot Camp is more challanging in my opinion simply because it lasts longer.

ITS was challanging in many respects but it was also a hoot and a half. Got to play with lots of different banger type toys.

I trained as an 0351-Anti-tank and assualtman. We got to play with C-4, bunker assualt with satchel charges, breaching wire with bangalors, LAAWS rockets, 202 Flame Weapons and got training on Dragon wire guided anti tank weapons.
We also got a fair bit of training on improvised munitions useage vs. armor.

AND!! we got weekends off!! Got to go to the on base movies and drink beer!! (I was 18, drinkin beer was pretty cool to me back then lol)

[Beowulf]

Hmm, sounds like fun. Im sorry if i got it wrong but thats what my friend referred to it as. He joined like a year ago.

[USMC Chuter]

The way I remember it, they both suck. The big difference is they call you by
"Private" or "PFC" in SOI, vs whatever they feel like calling you in boot camp. And at SOI you have liberty on the weekends. It gets slowly better as you earn you place in the Corps..

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by Grimmy

You mean ITS? (Infantry Training School)?

When I went through Boot Camp in the late 60s the Marines who went through Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego and who were to become 0300's and related fields were assigned to Camp Horno (MCB Camp Pendleton) to attend training at the Infantry Training Regiment (ITR). All other non "grunt" related fields were sent to Camp San Onofre (on Pendleton also) for what was called Infantry Training Segment (ITS) which was required before going on to train for our primary MOS's. There were similar schools at Camp Lejeune also. As to which was harder when I went through....ITS was a lot of hill humping and late night marches....but it was actually a lot of fun because we were treated like Marines and not Recruits.....there is avery large difference.

Here is a brief history of how this system evolved over the years at MCB Camp Lejeune, there was an identical system at MCB Camp Pendleton.. The Unit described is currently at MCB Quantico.

Welcome to the School of Infantry

Mission Statement

The School of Infantry (SOI) provides Infantry Military Occupational Specialty qualification to entry-level infantry Marines, trains all non-infantry Marines in the infantry skills essential to operate in a combat environment, and infantry NCOs and SNCOs with advanced infantry skills. Additionally, the School of Infantry supports the conduct of Marine Leader Training as conducted by the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy who provides both infantry and non-infantry NCOs and SNCOs with the requisite professional military education (PME) and leadership skills to further their development as leaders within the Marine Corps.

Philosophy

The School of Infantry must provide Marines trained in the basics of infantry skills for combat today. It must be done correctly to save our most precious asset, the lives of our Marines. The School of Infantry must also be attuned to the evolving requirements of the Marine infantryman on a rapidly changing modern battlefield. The School of Infantry must be organized and prepared to adapt its training and instruction to these changing requirements so that the Marine infantryman remains a potent, relevant force. Leader development training at the School of Infantry must also be relevant and adaptable to the challenges of the modern battlefield.

Currently, with its Marine Combat Training Battalion, Infantry Training Battalion, Advanced Infantry Training Company, the School trains a combined total of approximately 20,000 Marines annually.

History

The 1st Infantry Training Regiment was established on 2 November 1952. On 10 November 1972, it was designated as the 1st Infantry Training Detachment. On 15 August 1978, the detachment was deactivated and it was reactivated as the Infantry Training Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division and Assigned the primary mission of conducting basic infantry skills training.

On 1 October 1979, command of the Infantry Training Company was trasnferred from 2d Marine Division to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Here it was designated a formal school and renamed the Infantry Training School. With that move came a gradual increase in the size and mission of the school. Although it retained it's primary mission of training basic infantryman, it became comparable with the Infantry School at Camp Pendleton and provided infantrymen to commands throughout the world. The annual students input nearly doubled to a high of 6000 in 1983, and The School assumed an increased role in training members of the Reserve Component.

With implementation of the new infantry battalion structure and weapons, the School took a leading role in providing training in those areas. In addition to increased weapon training, the School upgraded it's training in the areas of individual and small unit tactical skills. On 18 June 1984, the Infantry Training School increased it's syllabus from four to six weeks. On 28 April 1987, with advent of Squad Leaders' and Platoon Sergeants' Courses, the Infantry Training School was officially designated the School of Infantry.

On 3 October 1988, the School of Infantry instituted the Marine Battle Skills Training Program and Marine Combat Training Battalion was activated to provide basic infantry training to all male Marines, regardless of military occupational specialty. The School of Infantry was reorganized to Headquarters and Service Company, Administrative Company, MArine Combat Training Battalion, Infantry Battalion, and the Advanced Infantry Training Company. Two small group trial companies were successfully graduated from the Marine Combat Training Battalion growing to five companies graduating upwards of 17,000 Marines annually.

In January 1991, the School of Infantry quickly became a focal point during the planning phases and subsequent mobilization of the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR). Specific predeployment/refresher training packages and their associated support requirements for infantry MOS Refresher Training (MRT) and Noninfantry Combat Refresher Training (CRT) for IRR Marines were developed and implemented.

During February, three MRT companies and two CRT companies were activated. By the end of February 1991, Desert Storm was over and the flow of IRR’s soon halted. Replacement training for IRR’s at SOI concluded in late March 1991.

In January 1995, the School of Infantry assumed responsibility for teaching all courses previously taught by 2d MARDIV Schools. Courses included the Scout Sniper Course (subsequently relocated to Weapons Training Battalion, Stone Bay) and Close Combat Instructor Training, as well as providing Mobile Training teams to support the 2d Marine Division.

In March 1997, the Marine Corps expanded Marine Combat Training Battalion to integrate the training of female Marines.

On October 1, 2000, Marine Corps Schools, Camp Lejeune was deactivated and SOI was reassigned to the newly established Training Command, Quantico, Virginia.

Currently, with it’s Marine Combat Training Battalion, Infantry Training Battalion, Advanced Infantry Training Company, and Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the School trains a combined total of over 18,000 Marines annually.

[Vulture6]

Boot camp is tough because it is a complete shock to your system. Mind games, physical challenges, and constant pressure from the DIs.

SOI is tougher physically, but they don't play as many mind games. They physical challenge at SOI isn't on the PT field like at Boot Camp, it is on the road & in the field. Be sure that your boots are in decent shape, that you have good socks, and take care of your feet. That will make a big difference in your comfort and ability to function -- not only in SOI but also in the fleet.

[Grimmy]

I appologize to the thread originator on the ITS vs SOI school name. I went thru 03 training a couple decades ago. I am sure the name has changed since then lol.

I asked specifically if what you were refering to was what I knew as ITS to ensure I was actually answering on topic and not off on some tangent as I usually am lol.

I did enjoy what is called SOI much much more than I did boot camp. Boot Camp wasnt anywhere near the soul crusher I thought it would be but it did seem to go on for ever, and refering to myself in the third person was becomming a nearly unbreakable habit by the time I graduated

One nice advantage to SOI over BC is that you dont have to snap to attention and scream YES SIR!! or NO SIR!! nearly as often lol. In BC all Marines are "SIR!!s" In SOI only officers are "Sir's", notice the lack of intensity in the officer sir lol.

One thing I do remember from my infantry training school dayz is.... dont laugh, this is sorta serious....lots of guys pissed their racks in their sleep. It was totally not uncommon for a young Marine to be so completely wiped out tired by the time he hit the hay that when his bod said time to bladder dump, he'd DREAM he got up and went to the pisser.

I have mixed feelings about this.....Boot was a HUGE adjustment. It was 11 weeks or so long. You dealt with the mental along with the physical stress. However, in bootcamp, we did a 5,8 and 10 mile hump. In SOI, we did a 20 that turned out to be 28, because the CO took a wrong turn. And the average humping speed is 3mph, and that is in 50 minutes, so that we would take a 10 minute rest after the 3 or so miles. in SOI, we did the 28, just over 6 hours. That was one heck of a physical test.

So, I'd be hard pressed to compare. Though I have been asked this question several times.

[Grimmy]

True that spike but..but..but..in Infantry school we got to play with ALOT more "big boy toys" ALOT more often

For me, that made a world of difference. I LOVED getting to blow stuff up.