Master gunner,
commonly referred to as "Mike Golf," is also an advanced skill school
of the armor, infantry and artillery branches of the U.S. Army, and armor
branch of the U.S. Marine Corps. It requires a high degree of skill and
test-taking ability, leading to a low graduation rate. The rank and rate of
master gunner, along with a distinctive insignia, was used by the U.S. Army
during World War I.
The primary mission
of the army master gunner is to aid and assist commanders at all echelons in
the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of all crew-served weapons
related training (individual, crew, and collective).
The master gunner's
specific duties are directed by the commander. Examples of his duties are:
- Develop or conduct training
and certification of vehicle crew evaluators.
- Assist all elements within
the unit concerning gunnery training.
- Forecast all ammunition and
ranges for training.
- Manage gunnery records,
gunnery skills testing records, and turbulence rosters.
- Coordinate and control
training devices.
- Execute gunnery training.
- Supervise live-fire ranges to
ensure all standards are followed; specifically:
- Confirm screening and zero
techniques
- Coordinate target arrays,
exposure times for all targets, and maneuver box verification
- Set up all ranges to make
sure they meet the standards set forth in this manual
- Set up and conduct gunnery
skills training, and evaluate the results.
- Advise the commander of the
tactical capabilities of all weapons and weapon systems.
The master gunner's
main responsibilities are listed above, but may change in scope, depending on
the level that he is assigned. The master gunner should not be assigned
additional duties other than those listed here. Unit gunnery training programs
need a great deal of attention to be effective.