and aware of the strategic context in which they operate. The ITC is equivalent to the Army's Special Forces Qualification Course and Navy's SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). ITC uses a building block approach in which the training rigor is systematically increased to mimic the complexity and stresses of combat. During ITC, students are under constant observation from instructors and their peers. ITC is broken down into four training phases: Phase 1 Phase 1 trains and evaluates students in the basic skill sets required of all special operators. Physical fitness, swimming and hand-to-hand combat are stressed in a PT program designed around endurance, functional fitness and amphibious training. This program continues throughout the course and was designed to prepare students for the unique demands of Special Operations. Field skills including navigation, patrolling, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE), Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), mission planning, fire support training and communications round out Phase 1. Phase 2 Phase 2 builds upon the foundation of Phase 1, training students in small boat and scout swimmer operations, small arms, medium/ heavy machine guns, rocket battle drills, 60mm/81mm mortar employment, demolitions, live fire and maneuver, photography and information collection and reporting. Students are evaluated in two full mission profile exercises: “Operation Raider Spirit”, a grueling two-week exercise focused on patrolling and combat operations while under constant stress from instructor cadre and sleep deprivation; and “Operation Stingray Fury”, focused on urban and rural reconnaissance. Phase 3 In Phase 3, students are trained in rifle and pistol combat marksmanship, mechanical, explosive breaching, and learn tactics, techniques, and procedures needed during unilateral assault operations. This phase culminates in student planned and executed full mission profile precision raids on rural and urban objectives during “Operation Guile Strike”. Phase 4 In the final phase, students receive instruction on irregular warfare operations. The course culminates with “Operation Derna Bridge”, which requires students to use all skills mastered throughout the course while training, advising and operating with a partner nation/irregular force. Newly graduated Marine special operators are awarded the 0372 MOS and Marine Raider designation before being assigned to one of the three Marine Special Operations battalions. Language training All CSOs are required to undergo continual language training. Based on ability, some Marines are selected for follow-on language training at an advanced linguistics course. Those selected for language training could face 36 to 52 weeks of school depending on aptitude, the needs