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New Member |
I'm prior AF looking to go back in the Army as an officer and I lean toward FA. I'm odd I suppose in that I am a female, I want to deploy and I want to blow things up. So, that being said, I'd appreciate some insight into life in the FA branch. Thanks!
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New Member |
13W is your only option I believe. Thats a Field Artillery Meteorological Crewmember.
Go Here: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/13w.htm Don't even waste your time asking for any actual Combat Arms jobs because you won't get it, or even considered for it. |
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Member |
You mention officer, so I assume you meet all the O qualifications. That being said, don't waste your time being a female 13A. You will not be anywhere near blowing things up. The closest you will get to the gun line is your BCT headquarters.
Considering you are a female coming back in for some decent reasons--deploy and shoot someone in the face--I recommend MP or Engineer. The MP branch seems more suited to what you want to do, but be advised they do get stuck in some garrison BS. Have you looked into PSYOPs? That's a job that will let you deploy. fdc |
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A Proud 30+ yr. Warrant |
Be careful what you ask for
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New Member |
I would actually like Engineering, but I really want FA. The big guns facinate me. Are you saying FA doesn't deploy much? |
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New Member |
If you are referring to me wanting to deploy, I appreciate that you are cautioning me. I just mean that I know that by being in the Army my chances of deploying are rather large and I'm ready for that. I'm not one of those trying to find the safest job. I figure if my chances of deploying are that big, I need to do it on my terms.....as much as the Army will let me. |
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Member |
No, the FA deploys plenty. As a female in the FA you will be nowhere near the howitzers. |
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New Member |
Yeah, I know. Bummer. Maybe I can hang out near the test ranges.  My understanding is I would likely be with the multiple rocker launcher and the rockets blow things up, too.  I've been reading up on the duties and even if I can't be with the howitzer, the field still fascinates me. |
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Member |
You will most likely be stuck in one of two places as a female FA Officer: TRADOC or Battalion Staff. I know a few females who are in my class now or have just graduated. One is staying here at Ft Sill to be an XO of an AIT unit. The others went to Ft Bragg and are in the HIMARS battalion in 18th Fires Brigade. It is a tough branch and I couldn't imagine doing it as one of the few females in the branch. Good luck.
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New Member |
I like that it is tough. I want a challenge. Any insight you have would be helpful especially with what you've seen as hard or harder for the females in this branch. I've heard before that it would probably be TRADOC for me and it made me look into other branches because I do want to deploy and I hope for a PCS to Germany. But, lately it seems that others are very encouraging and that females can have more responsibilities than in the past. It's hard to sort through the conflicting info. |
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Member |
The biggest challenges will be PT and proving yourself to the males around you. Do well in your classes and be an excellent leader and fire supporter. You will always have to work twice as hard as any male because people will always think you can't do it. Things are changing now so it probably isn't as bad as it used to be, but be prepared for everything. What commissioning source are you looking into? Have you thought about branch detail? You can be FA for the first 3-4 years as an LT. Then when you would go to the Captains Career Course, you go to the one for the branch that detailed you out (ie MI, Signal, AG, or Chemical). You then might have better career progression during your time as a Captain and also as you work towards being a field grade officer.
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New Member |
I'll go through OCS. I'm finishing up my degree right now, but should graduate next December. I know what you mean about PT. I have to get as close to the male standards, especially with the running, as I possibly can. My plan is to hit 300's on every APFT. I have the time to build up to that before I even ship out. Thanks for the info on branch detail. I looked it up and it is definitely something to think about. |
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Member |
Good attitude on PT.
I was talking with a couple FA CPT friends of mine and the subject of females in FA came up. They both said they have never seen a female FA officer below BDE level, especially not in command of a regular FA unit (only TRADOC). They also said any female looking for 'action' should look at being an MP or Engineer first because they will always be on staff in line units. I know you've heard it multiple times on here, but that's just another example. If you want to be FA to blow stuff up, remember that you won't be pulling the cord very often, if ever. That will be the 13B's on the gunline, as the PL sits back supervising the guns. You won't be calling for fire very much either, as an FSO it will be mostly defensive and offensive fires planning and coordination while your 13F's do the actual calling for fire. AND this is saying you get to be a PL or FSO with a regular unit. I'm not trying to discourage you, I just don't want you to make a mistake based on incorrect information or assumptions. If you still want to go with FA, good luck and always go beyond your best. |
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New Member |
Thank you. This is exactly the type of information I need. I know I wouldn't get to fire them but it'd sure be awesome to be around. The closest I've come to that type of thing is watching a stripe mining operation when they've blasted. It's incredible. Anyway, I've known that howitzers are out for a while, but do you know if the same holds true with the multiple rocket launcher side? I wonder if females are choosing not to make careers and that's why you don't see them or if they are switching branches......Thanks again! You've been a wealth of info. |
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New Member |
Wow, I don't think I have ever seen a female in the Arty. I wasn't even aware such an option was available to females. Anyway though, if your really wanting to blow things up then the closest you might get is going MP. On the arty side the only people who really ever get to see the explosions and what not are us Foxes. I wish you all the luck I can on your future career in the Army though
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New Member |
Anyway, I've known that howitzers are out for a while, but do you know if the same holds true with the multiple rocket launcher side?
I'm an MLRS crewman and I can tell you for certain that there are no females at the battery level, it's not allowed...We always hear rumors of there being female FA officers at the Battalion and Brigade level, but I've yet to see one. |
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New Member |
Well if she's going to be stuck up at Battalion or Brigade then the odds of her actually getting to see much action seem rather slim. Every time my unit has gone out for any kind of live fire missions the only officer on the hill was our FSO. All the other ones, including the big brass, stayed back at the T.O.C. and coordinated everything. From what I've seen and heard it doesn't seem like it's much fun up there either.
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New Member |
Our battalion commander came to watch our last live fire...He didn't stay long. He just rolled up in his humvee, watched a couple launchers shoot, took some pictures and rolled out. He was very impressed. Of course so is everyone, MLRS live fires are very impressive
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New Member |
Yeah, I bet it would be so cool to see an MLRS fire. Heck, I've never even seen anything else fire. I'm lucky if I even get a shower for the whole time I'm up on the hill, let alone go see the guns fire.
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New Member |
Yeah but you get to watch the impact
my 1SG is 13F who had never been in a mechanized unit in his life. He likes to call our launchers 'big ice cream trucks' haha |
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