United States Marine Corps School of Infantry The School of Infantry ( SOI ) is the second stage of initial military training for enlisted United States Marines after Recruit Training . Since the initial training pipeline is divided between coasts , Marines from areas east of the Mississippi River usually graduate from MCRD Parris Island and move on to SOI at SOI East ( located at Camp Geiger , a satellite facility of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina ) , while those from the western half of the nation attend MCRD San Diego and move on to SOI West at the Camp San Onofre area of Camp Pendleton in California . Female Marines are an exception , all of whom go through MCRD Parris Island and SOI East . The School of Infantry ' s training mission ensures " Every Marine is , first and foremost , a Rifleman " . At SOI , Marines with the Military Occupational Specialty of infantry ( 0300 occupational field ) are trained at the Infantry Training Battalion ( ITB ) , while all non - infantry Marines are trained in basic infantry and combat skills at the Marine Combat Training Battalion ( MCT Bn ) . SOI marks a transition in the professional training of entry - level students from basically trained Marines to combat - ready Marines . History . Prior to 1953 , there was no formal infantry training in the Marine Corps , and all Marines received combat training at recruit training . The Marine Corps established Infantry Training Regiments at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton in that year . Between 1965 & 1971 , Marines assigned a non - infantry specialty were receiving only two weeks of Infantry Combat Training while their infantry counterparts were training for four to six weeks . In 1971 , infantry skills training for non - infantry Marines was folded into recruit training and entailed only 60 training hours . During the late 70 ' s & 80 ' s Marines assigned an Infantry MOS went to Infantry Training School , commonly referred to as " ITS " . This lasted until the Marine Corps established Marine Combat Training as a 28 - day course in 1989 to teach rifleman skills to all male Marines . In 1996 , the 2nd Marine Division disbanded Division Schools , passing the role of advanced infantry training to the newly established Advanced Infantry Training Company at the School of Infantry ( SOI ) . Prior to 1997 , only male Marines were trained at SOI schools ; females went directly to their MOS schools . Training . The training is accomplished with a combination of classroom instruction , hands - on practical application , and live - fire evolutions . The Marine Combat Instructors at SOI provide continuity and consistency in the continuum of training and mentoring entry - level Marines . Also trained at the SOI , these instructors began earning the MOS 0913 ( formerly MOS 8513 ) in 2003 . Infantry Training Battalion . The Infantry Training Battalion ' s mission is to " train and qualify Marines in entry level infantry military occupational specialties [ in order to ] provide the Operating Forces and Reserve Component with Marines capable of conducting expeditionary combat operations . " Infantry Training Battalion is a 59 - day training course ( prior to September 2007 , it was 52 days ) that develops new Marines into infantrymen " who can fight , survive , and win in a combat situation " . The first two weeks are a common skills package that all infantry MOSs share , where Marines receive instruction in combat marksmanship , use of grenade s , identifying and countering improvised explosive devices , convoy operations , Military Operations in Urban Terrain ( MOUT ) , tactical formation s , land navigation , and patrol ling . Afterward , Marines receive instruction specific to their infantry MOS , regarding machinegun s , mortars , reconnaissance , LAV - 25 s , or anti - tank warfare . The training cycle includes physical conditioning via physical training , conditioning marches , and sustainment training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program . Leadership traits and the application of the core values in every aspect of the Marine ' s life are also emphasized . Marine Combat Training . Marine Combat Training is a 29 - day course ( prior to September 2007 it was 22 days ) in which entry - level non - infantry Marines are taught the common skills needed in combat . Marines learn the basics of combat marksmanship , counter - improvised explosive device techniques , how to conduct the defense of a position , convoy operations , combat formations , fireteam assaults , patrolling , MOUT , use of the AN / PRC - 119 radio , reporting military intelligence , land navigation , and the use of hand grenade s , the M203 grenade launcher , M249 Squad Automatic Weapon , and M240 machine gun . Training also includes combat conditioning by running an obstacle course , conducting marches , physical training , and Marine Corps Martial Arts Program . Upon completion of Marine Combat Training , the Marine is to have gained the knowledge and ability to operate in a combat environment as a basic rifleman and to perform his or her primary duties under fire . Advanced Infantry Training Battalion . The Advanced Infantry Training Battalion ( AITB ) , conducts not only additional training for those infantry Marines who have an MOS other than 0311 , but advanced skills , MOS validation , leadership , and qualifications to infantry Marines who have advanced in their careers . The East and West coast stations have slightly different subordinate units .