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
The best combat job, FDC for MLRS/ATACMS
- Don't have to hump a ruck, plenty of room to carry your gear. Neat to watch, looks like fireworks. Not too close to enemy (hopefully). Your the first to know when chow is ready. Proven in combat during Desert Storm. The in the MOS 13P, you do end up spending more time in the field. Garrison life is easy enough. Many gun bunnies have switched to 13P. 13P use to also be used for LANCE. Can be boring at times. Good starting point to check out Europe, if located in Babenhausen, Germany. I can still recall my Hollywood call sign during Desert Storm. I think I was the youngest guy in 1/27th FA during Desert Storm. I had more fun as a 25R. No matter what MOS you have the reward feeling depends on how you view the job. Any MOS can be miserable if you have a bad chain of command. I was given a choice of many jobs, no regrets with 13P, but I needed a change of pace and got it with 25R.
- —Guest White 57
Only fit-minded
- Unless you are comp. literate, or have a knack with them, I wouldn't choose this MOS. I have never been so satisfied with a job in my life. Eight years as FA with little stints as a 13E, tried the 12C thing, and finally landed as a 13P. The knowledge and capability of leveling grid squares, Really?!? how is an 11B going to compete?
- —Guest Ghandi
13P
- it was a hard job, and I hated every minute of it, but I now have a lot of useful skills. The only trouble is explaining my responsibility and capabilities to potential employers.
- —Guest Tony
13B Cannon Crew Member conex specialist
- 3 years in the army 3 years 13B only fired the gun 2 times. Join the artillery become an expert in loading unloading invitory and reloading a conex. im in iraq our guns are in afganastan. this job is retarted if you want to pick a job and actualy do it dont pick artillery. training for artillery is like training for the special olympics.
- —Guest dave
Sixth and Dime in Bamberg
- I would'nt trade my time in Artillery for anything! Yes, you do get muddy, cold, tired, frustrated, but the sense of accomplishment and unity for a purpose cannot be equalled! I spent more time on the tank trails at Graf than I care to remember but the education in life experience was certainly unique. While in this MOS I got to cross train in other fields, and all were challenging. I especially liked going on point or being with an FO--mind you this was over 35 years ago and the technology has drastically changed, but the basics are still the same. I highly recommend this duty for the adventuresome!
- —Rashmove
13F
- I've been an observer for 8 years, mostly working in the Brigade Tactical Operations Center (TOC). I've been part of a FIST team also and on a COLT team as well, I would have to say that calling for and adjusting artillery is the most exhilarating job I could ever ask for. To actually see your target explode, is a huge adrenaline rush. Working in the TOC I've had the chance to call for GMLRS and Excaliber rounds (GPS guided). To see an entire building crumble from one rocket is an awe inspiring sight. I would definitely recommend this job to anyone who likes a rush.
- —Guest Joe Blow
MLRS 13M
- I thought this was the sweetest enlisted job in the Army. The machine is incredible, it's fast paced, the training is fun, and the satisfaction of launching a few rockets is unmatched. Promotion potential is pretty high, and it's interesting intellectually. There's some labor, and the machine requires a lot of preventative maintenance, but I had a lot of fun. If you can't be happy doing this, you are probably a miserable sucker. I thought 13P seemed like less fun, but 13F seemed intense and awesome. Nothing from with 11B, but 13M is for those of us who don't want to be quite as gung ho, but still want to fight.
- —Guest DRF
13F20
- I was an FO from '80-'84, we were short handed. If you didn't know your job, you were gone. I enjoyed the job and responsibility that I was entrusted with. I learned more about myself and what I am capable of doing in life. It helped prepare me for the real world and life its self. I may be crazy, but, it helped me survive and do the job. BEST time of my life.
- —Guest J Besch
Dont do it
- if you like getting down and dirty. These job isnt the worst, but it is one of the most boring. I got a taste of the infantry thing and was never happier. But i was switched to another battery and was forced to do my real job. This is just my opinion but i dont like it at all. 13B on the other hand is effin HOOAH. Im reclalssing to something, probably 11B 11C.
- —Guest Fobbit
If you like it loud ...
- ... then this specialty is for you. I trained for both 13E (pointing) and 13B (shooting) large self-propelled artillery. I can tell you that these guns are VERY LOUD!! When an "eight-inch" self-propelled gun is fired with maximum charge, if you don't have ear protection you can suffer instant and permanent hearing damage. You can actually see the shock wave race across the ground away from the guns when they are fired, and they have an immense recoil. I can only imagine what it is like on the receiving end. Also, having worked in Fire Direction, I know that these weapons are deadly accurate, even at ten or twenty miles from the target.
- —Guest KLV
