The Starfleet Marine Academy, located on Mars in the Sol system, is similar to Starfleet Academy but specializing only in combat training for the Starfleet Marines Corps. Twenty-fourth century technology, and particularly Holodeck technology, have made it possible to give rank-and-file soldiers the kind of intensive military training that was the sole preserve of special forces units a mere four centuries before. Starfleet Marines are exceptionally well trained and capable, even by Starfleet standards. They are meant to operate primarily on planetary surfaces, both land and water, but are also trained to participate in space-based operations as well. Their skills reflect the fact that they frequently have to operate in a long-range reconnaissance fashion, often with little or no support from Starfleet.
Unlike Naval personnel, Starfleet Marines must meet exacting physical criteria. They are particularly expected to display above-average intelligence along with exceptional endurance and coordination.
The Starfleet Marine Academy is extremely strict and much more militaristic than the Starfleet Academy. While the Starfleet navy tends to maintain order in a loose but firm manner, some have called the Marine Corps' management technique stringent or even harsh. Quite simply, Marine commanders do not tolerate anything less than the absolute best in their men, knowing that to do so would risk the lives of others. There is little room for error in such a dangerous and important field.
Starfleet Marines are given training in the folowing areas:
There are even more elite troops within the Starfleet Marines for special missions. These troops are even better trained for their missions, which would often be covert in nature. Specialties within the Starfleet Marines include: Demolitions Technician, Underwater Specialist, Anbo-Jytsu Instructor, Computer Specialist, Communications Technician, Cryptographer, Insertion/Extraction Specialist, etc. The existence of some teams are limited to a "need-to-know" basis.
Additionally, Starfleet Marines who are NCO's or Officers receive advanced training in the folowing areas:
NCO's
Officers
NCO's are your career sergeants. They provide training and leadership to the Privates, Specialists, and Technicians in Starfleet Academy. Officers are the real leaders - the power behind the power. All Starfleet Marines can expect to go on missions at any time. There are no distinctions due to rank on missions, except for the usual chain of command. Privates with specialized training may be placed on teams with officers, and officers with NCO's, etc. Starfleet picks the best men for the job ahead.
There are special schools within the Starfleet Marine Corps which confer additional advanced training.
This school includes advanced training in the following areas:
There are also specialties within the ASOS school. One such specialty is Scout/Sniper Training. This training teaches advanced reconnaissance, survival, and phaser handling. Those who leave this facility, have the ability to be dropped on a hostile planet in a group of two to four marines, find their target, eliminate their target, and return. The missions usually include intelligence gathering and reconnaissance as well.
Both Starfleet Academy and Starfleet Marine Academy include survival training in it's basic training regime. SERE goes beyond this training, and addresses issues encountered by marines on specific missions and operations. SERE includes more advanced survival with the inclusion of advanced courses in escape for POWs (including how to bypass security systems, stealth, etc) and resistance training for interrogations and manipulations (including advanced training in psychology, xenology, etc.). Additional training in languages and xenology is available as well.
This training includes the proper handling, deactivating, and disposal of explosive ordinance. All known explosive ordinance, including foreign made, is touched on in this training.
At times marines are required to obtain training from the Starfleet naval facilities including Starfleet Academy.
Marine pilots are trained at Starfleet Academy using both the standard Starfleet crafts as well as specialized marine crafts. Pilots, both Marine and Naval, who show exceptional ability are invited to attend ACPA. This "Top Gun" school for advanced combat training includes more in-depth pilot training for combat missions. A wide variety of crafts are taught, both naval and marine.
The the officers wanting to join the special operations unit SFMC Recon are required to attend both ASOS and SERE as well as attend Starfleet Academy and study in the Intelligence branch to receive the following training: