What is a typical Drill weekend like for a Field Artillery Unit in the Guard?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2019 16:56:40 -0400

Besides PowerPoints and paper work is there anything else specific that is usually done? Including AT’s.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 6:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2019 18:06:32 -0400

I was in an artillery unit for 3 years as a battalion S2 (1 year) and platoon leader for a paladin battery (2). As a 13B, it depends on what your gun is, but in a paladin unit, each month the PMCS's had to be completed on the guns, road tests, FCATS, sop training with your chief, and gun cleaning/maintenance.

As for admin stuff, different online trainings, unit evals, counselings, PT, armory cleaning, etc.

Long story short, you will be doing everything (mostly) an active unit would do throughout the month but condensed into a weekend. If you're not familiar with the dynamic, customs and courtesies are usually lax compared to an active unit.

AT, gunnery, and other field problems usually consist of a lot of waiting until you get a fire mission, and then it's go go go until it's over, followed by a survivability move of sorts and more waiting. Sleep next to or in your gun and lots of night movements and shooting. Basically like the field in any mos.

I had a great time and the artillery and especially the national guard is what you make of it. Enjoy!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 6:52 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 06:52:58 -0400

Basically PMCS, chow, PMCS. During annual your 2 week annual training, that’s where you actually shoot stuff.

Response by SSG David Verdoorn made May 14 at 2019 1:47 AM

SSG David Verdoorn — Tue, 14 May 2019 01:47:47 -0400

All depends if its a field drill or not.. during Field drills your advance party will show up the day before prep the equipment and head out to the guns and get them prepped. the next day everyone else shows up gets their gear/weapons and loads on the buses and meets advon out in the field. on homestation drills your going to run APFT and conduct mandatory training's (SHARP, EO, Suicide prevention and resilience).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2019 10:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 May 2019 22:48:28 -0400

Well as a Chief for a 119A3 crew, we do anything from usual admin laid back months to high speed AASLT raid training. Mostly you just prep for the upcoming AT. So if your on a reset year its more basic emplacements and crew drills for 6 months or so and the rest usually ends up being admin/ranges/ apft etc. as a new guy, you’ll most likely be given a lower job until you show that you know something. Pay attention, learn the system and do what you can outside of drill to better yourself. Even if that means taking the TM home and reading up on the system. And also.... PT outside of drill. Guards hard because there is alot outside that can keep you from it. Somethings better then nothing.

Response by SPC Brandon Lindsay made Jun 13 at 2019 12:22 PM

SPC Brandon Lindsay — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 12:22:33 -0400

You'll probably only do missions with the artillery peices twice a year. The drills depend on the length. You'll get a drill schedule with the training listed. ATs consist of a good bit of training. Starts out with catching up on briefings or classes the first day or two. Followed by 1 or more types of grunt training, IE ruck march, reflexive fire, shoothouse, team movements w/ Op4. Then movement to the field for around 9 days (more or less depending). While in the field, your treating it as a mission. Will fire the artillery and continue weapons training and small force on force tactics while out there if the fire missions go smoothly.
Except a battalion run at some point and a sexual harassment awareness briefing...

Response by SFC Bradley Quinn made Jun 28 at 2019 11:42 AM

SFC Bradley Quinn — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:42:24 -0400

I put my people thru drills. Laying the gun, setting up aiming posts, collimeter, cleaning the tube, disassemble and reassemble firing mechanism, etc. There is always something to do or refresh since it's only 2 days a month. If nothing else, CTT training can be done as a squad/group.

Response by SSG Robert Cole made Feb 11 at 2020 1:28 PM

SSG Robert Cole — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:28:20 -0500

PMCS on your artillery piece. And that's about it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2020 2:02 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:02:51 -0400

You should be completing your assigned tasks. Which could include PMCS, Armory maintenance, individual skill proficiency training, records update validations, section training, preparing for you your next field exercise, weapons maintenance, personal equipment inventories, section equipment inventories. This is not an all inclusive list of tasking duties, there is a plethora amount of tasks that need to be accomplished on drill weekends. I am positive that if you cannot find something to stay actively engage, you can always seek out either your platoon sergeant or your 1st Sargent, they would happily give you further guidance. As a PFC you should never have the time to not be engaged in some type of activity except when you are at lunch.