Marine Corps Field Artillery

Marine Corps Field Artillery Marine Corps Field Artillery Each of the functional areas of the Marine Corps Field 08 requires different areas of expertise and responsibility for training. The three areas work together as a team to make the weapon system work properly and with precision.  The following areas and their basic duties are listed below: Firing battery includes moving, emplacing, loading, firing, protecting, and maintaining field artillery cannon weapons systems. The grunt work of operating the weapon systems are the firing battery responsibilities. Field artillery operations involve moving, emplacing, operating, protecting, and maintaining equipment which acquires targets; provides, relates, and evaluates gun and target survey information, meteorological data, weapon system performance.  Integrating these factors into orders and communicating these orders to the firing battery is how the precision is created. Field artillery observation and liaison responsibilities include checking and analyzing combat plans and communicating appropriate advice, planning and operating information.  Coordinating the fires of field artillery and naval guns with infantry and armor combat maneuvers requires constant updates and communication with both field commanders and Naval gunfire platforms.  Adjusting fire for battlefield targets in coordination with military commanders on the ground is the additional step to make artillery the deadly weapons system that it is. Qualifications of Marine Corps Field Artillery Qualifications for this Marine Corps position include: Ability and learned skills to operate and maintain artillery equipment.Basic technical and mathematical skills for computing, communicating and executing fire commands.Ability and attitudes supporting life and close work with others in a field environment.Performing duties involving hard technical skills as well as administrative and managerial skills. Entry-Level Jobs Types of entry-level jobs include work as field artillery battery man or Cannoneer, radar operator, fire control man, meteorological man, and  as a fire support man, spotting fires of artillery and naval gunfire. Formal schooling or field skills training is provided to Marines entering the OccFld. Because field artillery is the primary supporting arm for Marine Infantry and Armor, most of its billets are in FMF ground organizations. The Marine artilleryman finds most assignment opportunities similar to the wide variety of billets available to those in other combat and combat support fields at all staff levels of the division and in various free billets. Marines entering this OccFld receive MOS 0800, Basic Field Artillery Man, and under instruction and close supervision, perform the routine duties incident to the firing, operation, and maintenance of field artillery pieces and related equipment. These Marines are trained for one of the MOSS in the field artillery OccFld and participate in routine functioning and tactical employment of the unit to which attached. Marine Corps Enlisted Military Occupation Specialties Below are the Marine Corps Enlisted Military Occupation Specialties which are organized under this occupational field: 0811  Field Artillery Cannoneer -  As members of a field artillery howitzer battery, cannoneers prepare artillery pieces and equipment for movement, combat, and firing. They inspect and prepare ammunition for firing, and they prepare the weapon for firing. This includes laying for elevation and deflection, loading the piece, and handling the ammunition.0814 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) -  As a member of a HIMARS battery, operators prepare the HIMARS for movement, combat, and firing. They inspect and prepare the launcher system for employment to include movement to and from concealment positions and firing positions, operate the fire control systems, and handle multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). They maintain, repair, provide security, camouflage positions, and protect HIMARS equipment from attack. This MOS must be assigned the primary MOS 0811 through either completing the USMC Cannon Crewman Course. 0842 Field Artillery Radar Operator  responsibility is the radar equipment, power generators, and associated equipment full maneuver and operation. They focus on using communications wire for the team, operate field telephones, and protect the equipment position.0844  Field Artillery Fire Control Marine  -  Life or death coordination calculations are done with the Fire Control Marines. They will determine target coordinates, as well as the conversion to target coordinates and observers reports into firing data and commands.  Field Artillery Fire Control Marines operate field communications equipment, as well as constructing cannon battery databases. This includes the use of computer equipment systems, plotting survey data on firing charts. 0847 Artillery Meteorological Marine-  Artillery meteorological men assist in the delivery of accurate artillery fire by observing weather conditions and computing and distributing weather data for use in field artillery fire control.  From wind, humidity, and other weather patterns that affect the speed and range of artillery, the MOS 0847 trained Marine assists in compiling targeting information.0848   Field Artillery Operations Marine  -  Field artillery operations Marines perform the duties associated with the direct operation of a field artillery and mortar fire direction center. The duties include preparing personnel and equipment for movement and operation of the weapons systems and assisting in the location of fire direction center or target acquisition. 0861  Fire Support Marines  -  Fire Support Marines perform the duties involved with the observation, conduct, and control of artillery and naval gunfire. The MOS 0861 additional responsibilities include calling for, observing, and adjusting artillery and Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS). They include using laser designators and rangefinders, and radar beacons for NSFS support ships, and other fire support assets.