July 31, 2026
from the Record, Spring 2026
by Alexandra Evans
Shaping Leaders
Capt. Zachary Toney ’20, a staff platoon commander and infantry officer with The Basic School (TBS), trains newly commissioned Marine officers before they head to the fleet. It’s a role he actively sought and one that carries unusual weight for a young captain. “Each of these lieutenants will directly impact the Marines they go on to lead. At TBS, we’re shaping the future of the Marine Corps,” Toney says.
It’s a big responsibility, but Toney says it is his most rewarding role yet and one that gives as much as it requires. “My lieutenants are very smart and very capable,” he says proudly. “I have to know the material well beyond what I ever thought I would need. Knowing that I’m also influencing their leadership style, I am very deliberate in everything that I do and try to set the best example possible.”
Though Toney’s major in philosophy, along with minors in rhetoric and classical studies, may not seem the most obvious preparation for a Marine officer, he credits those disciplines with shaping the habits of mind he depends on every day. “There’s rarely a perfect solution,” he says. “It’s about weighing all options based on available information and context, choosing the best course of action, and communicating the plan effectively.” He trains lieutenants to do just that but in an environment defined by compressed timelines with unknown variables and real consequences.
Lieutenants at The Basic School are trained as provisional rifle platoon commanders, regardless of their future specialties. Toney’s job is more than evaluating tactical skills; he also assesses character. Written exams and physical tests matter, but so do communication, command presence, and integrity. “You can be great at the technical components of the job,” Toney says, “but being a good person who cares about your Marines is just as important.”
This ethos is what he hopes the lieutenants he instructs carry with them and what he issues as his final, simple charge before they leave his tutelage: “It’s not about you. All of this training is really for the Marines you will lead when you leave here. Go forth and lead.”