There is a "Combat Support" enlistment option, but there is tanks and AAVs on it also. Tell your recruiter that you want any artillery MOS. You should, "Should" be able to contract for the 0800 field. Depending on your asvab scores, you could get anything from cannoneer, fdc, survey, met or fire support man(FO). It's a great field. Give your recruiter a shout and let us know what he says. Search the boards, there is a lot of info out there on Arty MOSs. After you do some reading, come back and ask questions to clear up anything.
I talked to my recruiter and he said my score allowed me to qaul. for every artillery job and that there were openings for new recruits. I'm going to shoot for one of those slots at MEPs. Any tips on being in a battery team? thanks!
I was a Forward Observer, so I really cant tell you much about what goes on in a firing battery in the field. There are some 0811s here and they should be able to answer things on their side. A guy in my wedding was a 0844, so I can give you basics about them. Click on the link above, do some research and let us know if you have any questions.
Grehfox, If I had my choice I would have loved to be an 0861. My last trip to the stumps I was given a reward and was able to spend a few days with the F.O.'s on the hill. It was awesome playing Artillery God and raining shells on the desert floor, plus when you go on float you can do cool stuff with the grunts.
Grehfox, As far as an 0811, back in garrison you do alot of maintenance on the 5 ton,the gun, your personal weapon, your crew served weapon. All the Marines in the gun crews are given specific weapons according to your boot status in the crew.Some will get M203's, Saws,M16's.Each gun crew is issued an crew served weapon and all that has to be maintained. Now you can get lucky and work in the office or the armory and you don,t have to do all that work. Once in the field, you ride in the back of a 5 ton and pull into a pos and dig in the gun trails, set the azimuth, put up the net, set up the ammo pit. Then the ammo trucks come around and then you start humping rounds from the truck to the pit. Then you sit there and wait for the F.O.'s to call in fire missions. Each crew member has a specific job acccording once again by his boot status. One of the crew will be liscensed to drive the 5-ton and it will be his job to be in charge of that vehicle. Being an 0811 is physically demanding job what I've outlined is only a taste. An 0844 is not as physically demanding but is mentally tough. Your job is to take the grid coordinates from the F.O.'s and compute that data into a firing solution to the guns. If you goof up, friendlies get killed. You still have all your gear to take care of just like the 11's. This is just an general overview , but I can tell you at least with me,I thoruoghly enjoyed my time in Arty. They were all great Marines that would always be there to help out and everyone was tight.
Originally posted by 12742559: Grehfox, If I had my choice I would have loved to be an 0861. My last trip to the stumps I was given a reward and was able to spend a few days with the F.O.'s on the hill. It was awesome playing Artillery God and raining shells on the desert floor, plus when you go on float you can do cool stuff with the grunts.
Not sure if anyone else is still on this forum, however, Just to throw my piece out there, Artillery has just gotten three new systems, the 777 lightweight howitzer, the HiMARS rocket launcher and is about to get the 120mm Mortar System. There is great opportunity as an 0811-0814 as well as the other mos's. True you maintain stuff, but that also is true in the other Mos's as well. Right now it doesn't matter what your MOS is, you are going over as Civil afairs and Military Police, but as far as promotions, FO and Cannoneer are your best bets. There will always be a need for those two Mos's.
