Are forward observers special forces?

They are also assigned to Special Forces and Special Operations Units as terminal controllers and Fire Support Non Commissioned Officers.

What is the MOS for forward observer?

This is the responsibility of the fire support specialist, commonly called the forward observer, which is military occupational specialty 13F. In addition to observing impacts, fire support specialists called for fire by identifying targets and sending their locations to the fire direction center.

What rank are forward observers?

13F
Forward observers in the U.S. military are artillery observers who carry the Military Occupational Specialty designator of 13F in the United States Army and 0861 in the United States Marine Corps. They are officially called Joint Fire Support Specialists in the U.S. Army and Fire Support Men in the U.S. Marine Corps.

What does an artillery observer do?

A military artillery observer, spotter or FO (forward observer) is responsible for directing artillery and mortar fire onto a target and may be a Forward Air Controller (FAC) for close air support and spotter for naval gunfire support.

Do Army 13F see combat?

13Fs will always see combat because they’re attached to combat units.

How long is AIT for forward observer?

Job training for a fire support specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) with on-the-job instruction.

What did a forward observer do in Vietnam?

Forward Observers, often alone, moved ahead of the Allied forces to secure vital vantage points. They served as the eyes of the artillery gunner in delivering rounds on enemy targets.

What was the life expectancy of a forward observer in Vietnam?

Then I learned that second lieutenants in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of about 20 minutes.

What is the FiSTer creed?

Those I consider friends call me “Fister”. Those who fear me call me a high payoff target. As I hunt my enemy, my enemy hunts me, as my enemy attempts to kill me, I wipe him off the face of the Earth.

What is the artillery in the Army?

Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons built to launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Originally, the word “artillery” referred to any group of soldiers primarily armed with some form of manufactured weapon or armor.

What is an artillery observer in the military?

Also known as Fire Support Specialist or FISTer, an artillery observer usually accompanies a tank or infantry manoeuvre unit. Spotters ensure that indirect fire hits targets which the troops at the fire support base cannot see.

What is a forward observer in the US military?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Forward observers in the U.S. military are artillery observers who carry the Military Occupational Specialty designator of 13F in the United States Army and 0861 in the United States Marine Corps.

What does a forward observer 1189 do in WW2?

Field Artillery Forward Observer 1189 Field Artillery Forward Observer 1189 was a World War II Army Officer position. Officer Classification, Commissioned and Warrant Military Classification and Coding The primary duties of the 1189 was “Direct the fire of an artillery unit from a forward position.

Why is artillery an indirect fire weapon?

Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located miles away. The observer serves as the eyes of the guns, by sending target locations and if necessary corrections to the fall of shot, usually by radio.