I am thinking of reenlisting and doing a lat move into the 0861 MOS. I think I have read all that there is about this MOS that I can find on the internet, but I want to hear some things from people that have experience working with or actually being an 0861. I am a Corporal now and will be a Sergeant very soon, so what is a Sergeant's role in Iraq and in garrison? Will I still be out there calling fire missions or will I be hanging back in the rear? Just any information that I can get from someone who has been there would be awesome. Thanks.
I was strictly peacetime, so I can not comment on current Artillery missions. As a Cpl in a Naval Gunfire Section, I went out with a LCpl 0861 and a LCpl Radio Operator. You will be assigned to an Infantry Co to provide Artillery or Naval Gunfire Support, depending on where you are assigned. As a Sergeant, you will be assigned to the Liaison Section to do Fire Support planning with either a Navy Officer (Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer) or a Marine Officer for the Artillery side, at the Infantry Bn HQ. Find and read a copy of FM 6-30, that will help. If you have access to MOL, look up SSGT Timothy Sansbury. He is an 0861 and he is the son of my Gunny(now SgtMaj Ret.) from 2/10. If he is anything like his dad, he should be able to provide info on current 0861 activities.
I had a great time in that MOS, but made a stupid mistake and thought I was tired of going to the field. I'm glad I re-enlisted, but should have stayed in my MOS and not have gone to Barracks Duty.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask away. Lyle0861 comes around pretty frequently, so between the two of us, we should be able to cover everything.
My experience was very similar. You will be organic to a firing battery, but deploy with rifle companies. That means when you get back from a deployment with one battalion, you may go right back out with another. That's odd, but it happens. I caught 2 Bridgeport deployments in 13 months. We also stood a lot of air alert. After you make Sergeant, you may be organic to a firing battery, or you may be in a battalion Naval Gunfire Section. When you go to the field or deploy then, you will spend your time with a battalion jump cp. You also go to the impact area to call missions when your firing battery is in the field. Shot, Out.
I was looking at ANGLICO, and I am in the same situation as the Cpl who made this post. I'm a Cpl, about to pick up Sgt, and will have almost 2 years time in grade before my ECC. My questions are:
Will ANGLICO be looking to take someone straight out of school? What can I do now to prep myself for the 0861 school? Will I be put in a bad spot coming into the MOS with no prior ground/artillery experience?
Originally posted by 12381431: I was looking at ANGLICO, and I am in the same situation as the Cpl who made this post. I'm a Cpl, about to pick up Sgt, and will have almost 2 years time in grade before my ECC. My questions are:
Will ANGLICO be looking to take someone straight out of school?The last time I checked, they have PFCs and LCpls, so yes, you can go straight out of school. What can I do now to prep myself for the 0861 school? Get a copy of FM 6-30, and know it like the back of your hand. Will I be put in a bad spot coming into the MOS with no prior ground/artillery experience? We had a LCpl and Cpl that Lat moved from the Wing. They didnt have any problems.
If things havent changed too much, and from my experience only, yes. We had a SSgt in our class at Ft. Sill and he went with us to Naval Gunfire School at Little Creek. Call the 08 Monitor and check what is available.
Originally posted by 2173965: Do you need a Scret Clearance before you can lat move to 0861 or do you get it after your in the MOS?
From my experience, we did not cover any classified subjects in school. The earliest I can remember anything about a clearance was several months in the Fleet. If you are thinking about Lat moving, to any MOS that requires a clearance, start getting your info together for an SF-86. If you have all the info together, it will be one less thing you have to worry about when putting your package together. Search for SF-86, get a blank, and start filling in the blanks.
