Semper Fi Society Helps Mids Prepare For Leatherneck

The Semper Fi Society hosted a Field Exercise (FEX) for more than 120 Midshipmen April 5-6, designed to help prepare Midshipmen who are interested in attending Leatherneck, a four-week officer candidate course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

Nearly half of the Midshipmen who participated in the FEX will attend Leatherneck this summer.

''Having participated in the FEX, I feel more prepared as Leatherneck approaches,'' said Midn. 2⁄C Lauren Ronan. ''I have a grasp on what I need to do in the next month or so, as well as what to expect once I arrive in Quantico.''

Midn. 3⁄C Steven Sifuentes and Midn. 3⁄C Adam Wickenheiser, both prior enlisted Marines, were in charge of the program, in which all Midshipmen rotated as Fire Team leaders. After initial training, Sifuentes and Wickenheiser gave the Midshipmen a set of objectives, which they had to use to guide their Fire Team to mission accomplishment. First Class Midshipmen, who participated in Leatherneck last summer and will be commissioned as 2nd lieutenants this year, taught courses in land navigation, Fire Team tactics, combat orders, and more.

''The Semper Fi Society’s Leatherneck FEX made me even more excited than I already am to participate in Leatherneck this summer, and it also cemented my decision to service select Marine Corps when I graduate,'' said Midn. 2⁄C Mark Infante. ''The combination of firstie instruction with prior enlisted practical knowledge proved invaluable in learning about Marine Corps warfighting.''

Several Naval Academy Marine Corps officers who have experience with the Leatherneck program in Quantico also assisted. They watched the Midshipmen lead their Fire Teams through assaults and gave them valuable feedback. The Marine officers all stressed the importance of being not only a good leader but a good follower.

In addition to helping prepare the Midshipmen for Leatherneck, the FEX also gave them valuable insight into serving as a commissioned officer in the Corps.

''The FEX gave me a chance to learn and practice field tactics actually used by the Marine Corps. It was a unique opportunity to learn what the Marines we will be leading are training for at this very moment,'' said Midn. 2⁄C Ryan Golom.

For more information on preparing for Leatherneck or the Semper Fi Society please visit http:⁄⁄intranet.usna.edu⁄ SemperFi⁄.