School of Strategy and Tactics

The School of Strategy and Tactics was founded as a means to teach Marines the fundamentals of strategy and tactics involved in combat operations. Due to the fact that most strategy and tactics involve more than one branch of the SFMCA, it is necessary that the student has some knowledge of the other Branches of Service in the SFMC and be a trained leader. Courses are currently available through the ST-601 level and all are available online for immediate credit.

ST-401 Introduction to Strategy and Tactics: This course will give the student a basic understanding of Strategy and Tactics and how they may affect the outcome of a battle and is designed to give the student a basic understanding in strategic and tactical concepts. At the conclusion of this course, the student should possess the basic analytical skills to pursue the remaining courses in this school. Prerequisites for this course: IN-201, LD-201, and one -301 level course from any other SFMC Branch (preferably a support arm such as CE, MD, or SU).

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ST-501 Applications in Strategy and Tactics: This course will build upon the basics learned by the student in SOST-401 and give the student a full understanding of the proper use/employment of strategy and tactics in a battlefield environment through exercises designed to provoke thought on the part of the student as to what may be the best way to solve a strategic/tactical problem. Prerequisite for this course: ST-401.

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ST-511 Strategy and Tactics at the Brigade and Company Levels: This course will and give the student a better understanding of the proper use/employment of strategy and tactics in a battlefield environment at the Brigade and Company levels through questions and exercises designed to provoke thought on the part of the student as to what may be the best way to solve a strategic/tactical problem. Prerequisite for this course: ST-401.

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ST-601 Strategy and Tactics Independent Study: The final step of the Strategy and Tactics Education Program, applicants for this course must complete an independent studies project.
The independent studies project must either consist of a paper or another approved project.  The student MUST submit a topic or project description to the Branch Director for approval.
Once approved the student will then have 10 weeks to submit their independent studies project for grading. After submittal and if the student receives a grade of Honors or Distinction on a 301 level course, they will be issued an Academic Excellence Award.  Prerequisite for this course: ST-501.

Before sending a request for a level -601 project please read the following:

1. The Branch Director has the authority to approve or deny any and all requests for this course and their decisions are final.
2. Projects MUST in some way shape or form relate to the SFMC and the branch for which you are applying to.
3. You must submit a topic or project description when requesting this course. Any requests without a topic or project description will not be honored.