Training
Job training for Armor and Field Artillery Soldiers consists of ten weeks of
Basic Combat Training
Basic Combat Training:
Basic Combat Training (BCT) is a 10-week course of intense physical and mental training, during which recruits develop essential Soldier skills, discipline and values. (BCT) plus 4-8 weeks of
Advanced Individual Training
Advanced Individual Training:
(AIT) Following Basic Training, Soldiers attend AIT to learn a military job skill. Depending on the specialty, training ranges from 1 month to 1 year., depending on your specialty. For some jobs, these will be combined into
One Station Unit Training (OSUT)
One Station Unit Training (OSUT):
For certain military jobs, Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training are combined into a single extended OSUT course.. You’ll learn essential Soldiering and warrior skills, spending time in the field and the classroom. Officers will require additional Officer Leadership Courses.
Civilian-Related
While there is no job civilian equivalent for some armor and artillery positions, your teamwork, discipline and leadership skills will help you in any civilian career you choose. Soldiers dealing with computer and communication systems can put their experience to use in technology-related jobs such as computer programming and consulting, telecommunication services, information technology support or data processing. And the experience gained from operating and servicing tanks and other equipment will prepare you for a future in the mechanics repair industry. Senior Sergeants are most closely related to vital managers in a corporation.
As part of the artillery team, Cannon Crewmembers operate howitzers—heavy artillery cannons with single-barrel firing capability used to support infantry and tank units in combat. Crewmembers identify target locations, maintain communications with scouts and other combat units, and operate weapons, ammunition and support vehicles.
As part of the artillery team, the Tactical Automated Fire Control System (TAFCS) Specialist assists with weapons that fire large ammunition or missiles to support infantry and tank units in combat. TAFCS Specialists primarily set up and load artillery weapons, prepare ammunition, fuses and powder for firing, assist in the preparation of a computer center for operation and shutdown, and are responsible for recording and transmitting firing data.
As a member of the Guard's artillery team, the Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems Specialist is primarily responsible for operating field artillery computers and tactical data systems on a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Team. MLRS teams launch various missiles and ammunitions in quick strikes during combat, and support infantry and tank units while supplementing cannon artillery.
As a member of the Guard's artillery team, the Cannon Fire Direction Specialist leads, supervises or serves as a member of a field artillery cannon unit, firing large ammunition or missiles in support of infantry and tank units in combat. The Cannon Fire Direction Specialist determines target locations using computers or manual calculations and prepares communications systems and field artillery tactical data systems for operation.
Artillery are weapons that fire large ammunition or missiles to support infantry and tank units in combat. The Fire Support Specialist is primarily responsible for intelligence activities such as target processing, using computers or manual calculations, laser range finders and night observation devices to determine target location.
Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) teams launch various missiles and ammunitions in quick strikes during combat, and support infantry and tank units while supplementing cannon artillery. The MLRS crewmembers are responsible for operating and maintaining the entire MLRS system by driving, loading and maintaining the launcher and fire control system.
Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) teams launch various missiles and ammunitions in quick strikes during combat, and support infantry and tank units while supplementing cannon artillery. The MLRS Operational Fire Direction Specialist records and transmits the firing and intelligence data for the MLRS, using fire direction systems and voice radio.
"Firefinder" is the name given to highly specialized machines that detect mortars, planes and other objects by using radio or sound waves to determine their location. The Firefinder Radar Operator uses radar to detect opposing forces or weapons and alert defensive units.
As a member of the artillery team, the Field Artillery Surveyor/Meteorological Crewmember works with weapons that fire large ammunition or missiles to support infantry and tank units in combat. Artillery Surveyor/Meteorological Crewmembers monitor weather conditions and patterns and provide firing position data, schematic sketches and astronomic observations so units can fire and launch missiles accurately. They also operate and perform maintenance on survey/meteorological equipment, vehicles and weapons.
An Air and Missile Defense Crewmember is a member of the Army's air defense artillery team using the AVENGER system, a lightweight, highly mobile and transportable surface-to-air missile/gun weapon system. It provides mobile, short-range air defense protection against air and land attacks. Crewmember duties may include preparing, operating and firing the Avenger and Man Portable Air Defense System weapons systems as well as establishing and maintaining communications and identification equipment
When information about the enemy is needed, Cavalry Scouts get the call. From concealed positions, scouts provide reconnaissance, gathering and reporting information on terrain, weather, enemy positions and equipment. Scouts may engage the enemy with anti-armor weapons and scout vehicles in the field, track and report enemy movement and activities, and direct artillery, air support or other weapon systems onto the enemy.
Armor crews operate tanks like the M1A2 Abrams and other amphibious assault vehicles to engage and destroy the enemy. The Armor Crewman works as part of a team to operate armored equipment, identify and pursue targets, and fire weapons to take out enemy forces or positions.