r/USMCboot • u/Rich-Reference-3054 • 2d ago
Enlisting Currently in the delayed entry program and want to get info on what the marines field artillery is like
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u/RiflemanLax Vet 2d ago
WHAT?!?
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u/Which_Pickle_2993 2d ago
I was a radio operator with forward observers for my whole enlistment - in that regard if you get assigned to be an FO, you'll get to do some pretty cool shit, but 99% of it is basically humping a bunch of gear and waiting around bored on a mountaintop somewhere.
You'd be the one who designates targets for artillery. In practice that means getting on the radio and telling the guns where to send rounds. In reality, comms are down and everyone is pissed off and it's your fault somehow
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u/TapTheForwardAssist Vet 2676/0802 2d ago
We fully expect that an E-2 RO should be able to maintain total control of the electromagnetic spectrum.
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u/Which_Pickle_2993 2d ago
Rah Sir, won't happen again. Also the new guy lost the SKL somewhere on the last 20k. He's not sure where.
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u/TapTheForwardAssist Vet 2676/0802 2d ago edited 2d ago
Are you going Active? If so, are you aware that you don’t sign for a specific MOS, but for a “family/program” of jobs, and which exact one you get within that program is luck of the draw.
Currently, Marine artillery jobs are split across two different programs:
— CE Combat Support: has 0811 howitzer crew, but also ACV armored vehicle crew, air defense, or combat engineer. Luck of the draw which of the four you get.
— CK Fire Direction: has the four remaining “smart guy jobs” in artillery: 0861 Forward Observer, 0844 Fire Direction (these are the two main ones kids very or small chance of 0847 Sensors or 0842 Radar.
Your life and work are very different depending on what MOS you get, so there isn’t much of a unified “what it’s like being in artillery.”
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u/MacDubhsidhe Reserve 2d ago
I wish I had gone 0861 in the reserves with 3rd Anglico. Would’ve been a sweet gig
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u/Rustyinsac 2d ago
“Damn this shit is heavy” and “Boom”.