How well did you think the Basic Course prepared you for the rest of your career in the military?

I thought the course was excellent technical preparation for a fight that only existed in a few places. We knew what demands maneuver commanders were placing on fire supporters and even on gun batteries, but somehow missed the ball on training it in the basic course.

FAOBC gave me a great base of knowledge for my 2LT/1LT roles as an FSO, PL, and FDO. FA is a very technical branch, and OBC gave me a good introductory understanding of each role so that I didn't look like a tool when I showed up. However, after assuming each role, I was fortunate to have outstanding junior and senior NCOs come around me and teach me the things the schoolhouse didn't.

Overall though, FAOBC definitely focused mostly on the technical aspects of fire support and fire direction. There was a little emphasis on general leadership skills, but most of that came through either ROTC or OJT/OPD.