13J Fire Control Specialist - What to expect when going into this MOS?

Jaycee Adzhari — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:55:30 -0400

I'm scheduled to leave for basic in a few weeks with the mos 13J, I just wanted to get an idea of what it's like day-to-day and what are things you guys like about it / don't like about it since I couldn't find much online. 13J was not my first choice but I was only given 4 choices (Infantry, M1 Crewman, 13J, and 13R ) I scored a 62 on my ASVAB, (not an amazing score but I thought there'd be at least more options), I was told It was just due to the time of the year and that most were already taken. I already signed and did my first swear in so I believe it is too late to change. If anyone can provide their take on this MOS I would greatly appreciate it, and thank you all for your service.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 2:33 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 14:33:51 -0400

I just finished AIT a couple weeks ago. I can’t tell you exactly what you’ll do in a real unit. Best advice I can give you for AIT though is just pay attention and stay awake. AFATDS is easy once you get the hang of it. Only reason people failed was because they fell asleep and missed entire lessons.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2019 7:52 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 07:52:49 -0400

Any MOS will be what you make it. With the right mindset and attitude, you will find the fun and mitigate the boring or unpleasant. 13J's provide the firing solutions for the guns. We take information from the observers and turn that into information the Gun Bunnies can use to fire. In that process, we use computers (AFATDS or Centaurs) and with the exception of the last few years, charts and darts (which is seeing a large resurgence due to the near-peer threats of Russia and China). You will spend a lot of time practicing with Centaurs until you get more experience. You will be a radio operator, and you will be setting up lots of OE-254's. So many '254's. lol. But you will get to know them well, and this will serve you well when you become a leader. After some time on the radio, setting up tents and vehicle PMCS-ing and Centaurs, you will get to operate the AFATDS. This is the bread and butter of our MOS. You will be best served by learning this tool inside and out. Any SGT and above worth their salt are experts with the AFATDS. If they're not, it quickly becomes evident in the field.
Learn your MOS. Make it fun. Enjoy the process. There is some monotony in it, as there is in any job, but it's really satisfying when it all comes together. Some of my best memories are of LFX's where we did things we thought previously impossible or unlikely. Getting through the difficulties (embracing the suck) to accomplish the mission builds character and makes those cool stories for later in the bar. Oh, and they will make you a better Soldier, and a better future leader.

Response by Kimberly Holmes made Aug 9 at 2019 9:56 AM

Kimberly Holmes — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 09:56:41 -0400

My daughter will graduate AIT 13F on Aug 15th 2019. She is 18 and was a mediocre student in school but scored surprising high on the ASVAB, she qualified for 100 jobs (rounded). They told her to study them and narrow the search, blah, blah, blah. The day she showed to sign, they offered her only 3 jobs. She wasn't familiar with the ones they offered so the recruiter went on a sales pitch and sold the 13F to her. He said it was the best job in the Army and she was very lucky to have the opportunity, he wished he had had it. After many other "one liners", she took the bait and signed on for 13F. During BCT she started to hear more about the job and the training and became VERY worried because everyone said it was super hard. They were right, it was hard but she did it. Physically, you will be at the high level of Army standards. Mentally, you will need to learn maps and coordinates, you will work with numbers and you will have to call them out loud and accurate. She is in her way to Fort Campbell (her FDS). Again she is nervous about the high demands the unit and the job require but she is strong and ready. In general, you should know the difference between combat and combat support jobs because that makes all the difference. Good Luck

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2019 8:02 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 20:02:52 -0400

As far as what you'll be doing once you hit your first real duty station, it won't be anything that you learned in AIT. If you have a good instructor, they will teach you how to set up those damned OE-254's during your week long FTX at the end of the AIT course- because trust me, you'll be needing it. As far as the box or the centaurs goes, if you have a good Chief, he'll show you the ropes and get you familiarized with the AFATDS during downtime or when you're up at the battery waiting for something to do. Safety is also a big thing, prepare to do some math and filling out Safety T's and all that Artillery jazz that you'll learn about.

All in all, after being a 13J for a good year and some change, I'm glad I chose it. Hopefully you don't feel too cheated out and end up hating the job, because some days you will most definitely hate it, but when you're out shooting Arty Tables 12, 15, 18, etc - everything will flow smooth as butter if your battery's FDC, gunline, and ammo sections all do their parts (that is, if Range Control doesn't screw you over.) It's incredibly satisfying, and get used to troubleshooting.

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2019 4:42 AM

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Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2020 5:52 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 05:52:00 -0400

As a private work on como OE-254’s and layouts in the motorpool and working on tables and safety’s