Readers Respond: Do You Have Experience in MOS Field 13 - - Field Artillery?

Responses: 50

By Rod Powers, About.com Guide

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Share Your Experiences

From the article: Army Enlisted Job Descriptions and Qualification Factors

Have you ever been assigned to a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) in MOS Field 13 - - Field Artillery? If so, tell us what it was like. Did you love your job? Did you hate it? What was your average day like? Share Your Experiences

13B- Fort Campbell

3 years as 13B. Trained on M119 at Sill, Got orders to come to Campbell in Dec. 2009. Deployed in March 2010, w/ 3BCT, and worked on M198 at Fob Boris w/ no experience on Cannon. M198 is about 2X the sixe of M119. You catch on quick and learn there is so much more to know that the stereotype that we "pull string and make boom!" It's been great. I agree with Wolfman that it is VERY physically demanding and the conditions are rough. And it has given me a lot of confidence and job satisfaction. There isn't a lot of experience you can transfer to civilian life, with the exception of SWAT. Air Assault! However, the discipline and persistance you get out of this MOS will motivate you to go anywhere.
—Guest dan_brown3

FA all the way.

Branch was 13A (also C & J) and was in light, heavy and mech units both cannon and MLRS, towed and SP all US Army calibers. Many Arty Fire Direction Center, Forward Observer and Logistics tasks are now at least supported by computers and digital networks. Manual fundamentals are still taught cause sometimes folks fall back on those procedures till they can get digital going. Highly recommended MOS or Branch. Now use those skills to support foreign military sales from USG to everywhere. Recommend knowing more on subjects than your peers to get the better offers after a rewarding and super interesting military carreer.
—Guest AbnRgr78

15J / 13P

Joined in late '83. Did 2 tours to Germany and 1 at Sill as CDC for the old Lance Missle. Transitioned to MLRS in 91. Very fast pace! Learned Scud killing techniques with the Block 1a. I do NOT miss the cammo net going over two tracks, but I Do miss EVERYTHING else!
—Guest Hard Corps.

Looking for a job in us army

Good evening, I'm an ex military in romanian army as SFC rank, use to work in various jobs but my expertise was weapons and roketets, logistics, afghanistan mision, and other jobs. Sincerely yours, Cristinel Tudoran
—Guest Cristinel TUDORAN

13B

I spent 11,1/2 years as a13B.The training was very intense and challenging when in the field.But when we were back home it was physical training.you learn how to care for a team not just yourself.every 18 year old should join the MILITARY.I loved the MILITARY friendships and togetherness.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.
—Guest OSREET

its all good

In my 21 years as a 13F the 1st 12 years were awsome. Stationed with infantry/Armor was the best they leave you alone at all times... it was great going out in the middle of nowhere setting up and killing--- there is nothing like it in the world... the last 8 years of my career though was filled with recruiting duty and then South Korea as a EOC Senior SGT .... EOC = Emergency Operations Non-Commissioned Officer not boring in any means but it wasn't like the thrill of calling in and directing indirect fires.... Boom Boom Strike Deep Strike Hard...... Fister for life.....
—Guest 13F4ever

!st ATACMS

I was with the first ATACMS unit....couldnt have asked for a better job. Love that feeling of 12 rockets or 2 missiles busting out & heading down range to bring complete destruction to enemy units.
—Guest 13M TACMS

13F

Nothin like dropping down some steel rain on a Russian rocket truck in Iraq . The truck blew with a 1 shot 1 kill copperhead. It ignited some of the sk5 rockets and shit hit the fan. We took cover and everything was cool. Rock Hard king of battle. Finest infantry soldier today F.I.S.T. C2/8inf 4ID . 2003 camp Normandy
—Guest EyesOfDeath13

13E

wes fdc for an 8" battery at Ft. Hood in the 80s loved it and miss it I was wondering if everything is now done with computers
—Guest 1/21 1st cav

13BRAVO 13MIKE

ONCE YOU HEAR 'FIRE MISSION', YOU BETTER BE ON TOP OF EVERYTHING, "REALLY FUN". FA LEADS THE WAY!
—Guest ALEXANDER LEJJENA

13F1P 82nd best fist team 2002

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss being a airborne fister sitting on a hill top alone in the desert at 3 in the morning drinking coffee and talking with you other fister brothers on the radio team net. the artillery don't want you and the infantry can't have you it's the best of both worlds. When u are in the field you are working your ass off and when your in the rear you are sitting in your room watching tv and studying. The bonds you make with your fist platoon will be a bond for life and you will always miss it when you get out so stay in and don't make the same mistake I did. I'm a mech engineer now making great money and I would give it up in a sec to have the brotherhood back again
—Guest 13F1P

13F

Its the best job in the artillary. Imagine yourself on top of a mountain looking down into a beautiful green valley when suddenly you spot 10 of enemy tanks with dimounted infantry. You have your radio and you have your guns 105mm 155mm or 8inch at your ready. a few simple calculations and your ready to fire... see the fire ball that comes with a direct hit, watch the infantry scatter like ants in fear for their lives. no matter wher they run you can still direct that fire onto them. when its over you see the fires and the smoke that your rounds have created. The dead bodies and the carnage that you have left behind. The burning tanks that are no longer a threat to your tanks and infantry. This is a feel good job because when you have done it right you feel good about yourself and when you have done it wrong you get your buddies killed. We are the eyes of the artillary. Its not as hard as some make it out to be. It is very rewarding.
—Guest Liqermixr

ARTY

Artillary was cool!! i love it deployed with it and am progressing in it, I tell my marines all the time if you know more than you are suppose to about your job then you will do just fine, its a passion not a job, you help out so many americans that need your support in a timely manner, JOIN ARTILLERY!!!
—Guest Corpal B