13F Soldiers rejoining Field Artillery Battalions

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 09:59:29 -0400

In the Field Artillery community, it's been announced that all 13F (Forward Observers) Soldiers will rejoin the Field Artillery units rather than stay with Infantry Battalions. For fellow Artillerymen, what are your thoughts on this move.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 27 at 2013 10:05 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 10:05:55 -0400

This is very interesting to learn. I like the idea because as an FSO for 2.5 years I just didn't feel any connection to my artillery battalion...I had no real relationship w the battalion commander there, etc. No OPD with that unit as well. To me, this is a further signal of the focus back on garrison-style task organization that is resulting from the shift away from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2013 10:16 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 10:16:35 -0400

I do like the move of 13Fs to the Artillery Battalion. It gives us the ability to properly train them again on Call for Fire. Being a HHB Commander with 138 personnel already, should 13Fs come to HHB as higher has stated or become their own Battery themselves is another question as most Brigades have more than 100 13F Soldiers. This comes as well as a third line battery will be established in most Artillery Battalions soon. One thing is for sure is that it will be interesting as the Artillery community changes as the Army does.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2013 11:01 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 11:01:12 -0400

ive read that MLRS/HIMARS guys got a nod for some sort of deep attack role (tactical cruise missile program canceled i guess)...dunno if there's any truth to it, but would be nice if i got my hard earned pennies spent on cool toys actually be put to use some time ......whenever

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2013 2:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 14:29:19 -0400

At the end of the day, the field artillery is a customer service oriented organization. that customer is the infantry. It makes more sense for FSOs to be co-located to better provide advice and expertise on fires.that said, having been an FSO for well over 4 years, the infantry does not develop FSOs as well as they develop infantry officers. I know there is a lot of tendency by commanders to protect their infantrymen by using their FOs incorrectly.An artillery BN will better train and develop 13Fs, while an IN BN will benefit form having thier fire supporters co-located. There are two very strong sides to the argument.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2013 3:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 15:28:26 -0400

I think its a great move. In my first unit we spent 5 months with our Arty BN then transitioned to our IN BNs prior to JMTC and deployment. I believe this is the best setting for Fisters because it allows us to hone our skills as fire supporters. It makes it easier to request training especially in the form of STT's. When the major field problems come around we could train with the infantry, learning their skills and tactics so we can perform at the platoon and squad level. This worked for me as well as the rest of the guys so well in the past and because of the way our job is, the Jack of all Trades, it just makes sense. If we do go to the Arty Bn, and are assigned to HHB, then I'll see you there CPT Risher!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2013 5:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 17:07:19 -0400

If nothing else, it will make it easy to standardize FIST training. As a BN FSO, I witnessed wide variations across the Brigade when it came to training Fire Supporters. This is a good thing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2013 8:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 20:58:59 -0500

I think it will prove beneficial in the long run to expose the Fire Supporters to their artillery brethren a little more. I think the artillery community as a whole will be advanced with better trained FSOs able to lobby the maneuver commanders to better use the assets that we make available to them.

Response by CPL Roberto Gonzalez made Oct 17 at 2014 12:05 PM

CPL Roberto Gonzalez — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:05:13 -0400

I feel it's a great idea!!! To me they go hand in hand.

Response by SGT Mark Butler made Jul 31 at 2015 11:47 PM

SGT Mark Butler — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 23:47:57 -0400

its been a while for me and like the 13f I was a 19d we also where the jack of all and master of none. I think they should just create one field and absorb the two mos. As a 19d I was able to grow into a real scout by being in different positions but learning my craft from experienced scouts. now we are talking 20 some years ago but RESPECT!!! Best jobs in US ARMY

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 3 at 2015 7:17 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 19:17:23 -0400

I think it is a good thing, I know the Fisters like working with the Infantry but like coming home where they are with family when the day is done.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jun 23 at 2017 10:17 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 22:17:25 -0400

They are in the Arty TO&E if i recall correctly... but they need to train with the grunts to remember what aching knees/back feels like.

Artillery, lending a touch of class to what would otherwise be a vulgar brawl.

Naval Gunfire, when popguns aren't enough.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 21 at 2018 10:03 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:03:22 -0500

Six of one, half dozen of the other. Foxes need to work with the FA part of the time to keep their skills up. The assumption that you will be DS to a particular unit can change daily. A 105 Bn I was with in Vietnam changed patched 6 times in a year

Response by SGT Adam Jones made Apr 14 at 2018 4:51 PM

SGT Adam Jones — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 16:51:29 -0400

Be better to train to the standard rather than train to an assumed standard.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 15 at 2018 11:08 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 11:08:08 -0400

As a grunt- it's sad, we were accustomed to working daily with our 13F- great communications, understood without a lot of talk what we wanted, and they were part of the unit- not strangers.