The Basic School - Field Exercises (FEXs)

Field Exercises (FEXs)

• FEX I - A three day evolution that acts as an introduction into infantry squad level tactics. The first two days are blank fire against smaller sized opposing forces and the last day is the live fire attack with automated targets.
  • Day 1, 2 - Squad attacks and offensive maneuvers using blank ammunition with a new "squad leader" for each separate attack.
  • Day 3 - The students conduct a squad attack at a live fire range. There is a day attack and an illuminated night attack at the range. Artillery simulations are detonated on the range during the conduct of the attack to simulate explosions, artillery, and mortars.

• Patrol FEX - A two day evolution that focuses on the detailed planning, preparation and conduct of a patrol to include the necessary post-patrol debriefs with the different elements of the command structure.
  • Day 1 - Students conduct an initial daytime security patrol, called I-Day.
  • Day 2 - Students conduct a daytime security patrol, immediately followed by a nighttime ambush patrol.

• FEX II - This is a platoon "pure" FEX, as the platoon has no attachments, detachments, or supporting arms that are not organic to the platoon. This is much like FEX I, but on a larger scale, being a platoon operation instead of a squad operation.
  • Day 1, 2 - Students conduct platoon level offensive and defensive operations.
  • Day 3 - Students conduct a platoon pure live attack at a live fire range. The attack is broken up into one squad as a support by fire element that suppresses the objective while the other two squads act as a maneuver element and assault the objective by rushes.

• FEX III - This is a platoon "reinforced" FEX, as platoon attachments, detachments, and supporting arms become available for the students to utilize. Specifically, students will learn about and utilize mortars, anti-mech, and machine guns during this FEX. FEX III is one entire week of constant day and night operations.
  • Day 1 - Movement to Contact and Deliberate Attack
  • Day 2 - Night Attack
  • Day 3, 4 - Platoon (reinforced) in the Defense

• Convoy - This is a two day long FEX that prepares students for operations with motorized vehicles. Reaction to IEDs, ambushes, and conducting motorized patrols are all part of this FEX.

• MOUT FEX (Military Operation in Urban Terrain) - This FEX is designed to prepare students for operations in urban terrain, beginning with individual actions and ending with platoon offensive operations in a hostile urban environment.
  • Day 1 - Students receive classes in the mock urban towns and do practical application
  • Day 2 - Students conduct multiple squad level attacks on fortified enemy positions with ITESS laser training systems.
  • Day 3 - Students conduct more ITESS training, this time squad defensive operations as they are attacked by a platoon size element. Later, students conduct a cordon-and-knock search with motorized vehicles at a nearby village. They also receive vehicle checkpoint (VCP) training with practical application.
  • Day 4 - Urban Lane Training is conducted. The students receive classes with practical application on the proper reaction to a sniper, IED discovery procedures, urban patrolling, snap VCP, employing guardian angels, and reaction to a complex ambush.
  • Day 5 - Students conduct a squad reinforced urban patrol. Multiple realistic scenarios occur during the patrol using role-players to accurately simulate the "Three Block War."

• The Eight-Day War - This is the longest FEX the students conduct at The Basic School. Echoing the Spartan oktonyktia, the War lasts for 7 to 9 days and includes long forced marches under heavy load. It is intended both to showcase all that students have learned at The Basic School and to push them beyond their mental and physical limits.

• AMFEX (Amphibious Familiarization Exercise) Students spend two days at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and Norfolk Naval Base gaining a basic understanding of amphibious ships and their capabilities. The time also gives the students an idea of what life will be like living on a ship while deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).