What can a new 13F expect to do for the 18th Field Artillery Brigade?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 18:53:21 -0400

I just recieved orders to HHB in the 18th field artillery brigade, and am curious about what to expect when I arrive. In AIT, we did not touch on working with missile systems like the HIMARS, and most of our training revolved around working from an Observation Point or from within a manuver element. Any insight would be appreciated .

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2018 6:59 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 18:59:10 -0400

You can expect a lot of good training and a deployment. Good luck.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2018 7:07 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 19:07:00 -0400

Thank you sir .

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Apr 7 at 2018 7:45 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 19:45:20 -0400

Potentially you are gonna have more fun than a man should have with his clothes on...

Step up, take chances, volunteer to get out in the weeds. Take a shot at CAS ... maybe think about SpecOps...

Either you’ll love it or hate it. Either way you get out what you put in.

Good luck!

Response by SSG Kasius McCall made Apr 7 at 2018 10:40 PM

SSG Kasius McCall — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 22:40:54 -0400

Though I am not a fister, I am in field artillery and can speak from the outside looking in. All of our fisters are in HHB, however, they are all attached to other units. Though we have the biggest FA battalion on post, it’s because of fisters but we never see them because we have a platoon of them at each battalion in our brigade.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Apr 7 at 2018 11:03 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 23:03:14 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member I would suggest that you contact 1SG Private RallyPoint Member, who is here on RP. I would suggest that you send her a PM through the RP message service and also through a PM on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ABNMama .

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2018 8:26 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 08:26:02 -0400

As a Fister at 18th Fires Brigade you’ll be in the BDE S-3 Shop working with a section of 13F’s. There will be a SFC and 3-4 other fisters. You’ll be observerving the impact area of the rocket it hits and acquire data for the LFX (live fire exercise). You’ll still be doing your job. When do you report?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 9 at 2018 10:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:03:49 -0400

18th FA is general support for XVIII ABC Corps- that means big guns- 155mm and or MLRS or whatever is vogue now- Isn't 13F an FO/FSO slot? If so then I would be the tech weenie at BDE/DIV telling them what your weapons can do, how to best employ them and calling for fire. The last time I saw MLRS- it wasn't a matter of getting pinpoint accuracy!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 11:08 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 11:08:36 -0400

Every unit if different I’m a FO right now. Usually you’d just work on your level 1 and 2 skills, maybe cross train with the motors or guns. You’ll probably get sent down to a FIST battery which supports an infantry unit. So please learn how to talk on a radio and correctly transmit fire missions.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 1:22 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 01:22:50 -0400

You won't be touching the himars at all. You will be observing our rounds during live fires. I'm from 18th FA.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 1:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:30:29 -0400

I would ask your Platoon SGT this exact question as soon as you get to your unit. I’m at 18th FAR 3-27 right now and honestly every unit is different and every command is different and always changing. So just ask and they will tell you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 9:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 21:07:28 -0400

Bragg isn’t bad. 18th FA can be rough at times though, be prepared to work late a few nights. Just keep your head up and work hard. Should be good to go.

Response by SPC Frank Dorsett made Apr 11 at 2019 7:20 AM

SPC Frank Dorsett — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 07:20:57 -0400

HHB? YOUR A BITCH!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2019 11:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:49:18 -0500

You will get great training. If you can get to Baker battery you can recieve training from who I personally feel is the best Fister on active duty Today.

Response by PV2 Bill Stiefel made Nov 26 at 2019 3:20 PM

PV2 Bill Stiefel — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:20:01 -0500

Forward Observers direct fire for artillery units (gun bunnies and the like) that’s what you do in combat. At Ft Bragg, under the 18th Field Artillery Brigade (“18th Fires Brigade” now I hear) you’ll be training to do what you would do in combat, so that when deployed, it’s completely natural muscle memory... Train Train Train... and when you aren’t training, you’ll be cleaning, cutting grass, mopping and waxing floors, etc....