A quick question

[usmc2007]

ok, i was just reading up on some of the Enlisted MOS's, and i came across the 0844 MOS. "Field Artilerry Fire Control Man". It seems interesting, and i was wondering if anyone here knew anything about it. i read up on the basics and it seems pretty cool. anyways, does anyone here know anything about it? Thanks

[Integrity57]

Ask Sgt. V, he's an Arty Marine and should be able to give you plenty of info on all things Arty.

[TrevelyanInc]

Summary. Field artillery fire control men perform duties essential to the delivery of accurate artillery fire to include position survey and fire direction computation. Typical duties include preparation of fire control equipment for movement and operation, performance of detailed survey operations, performance of preventive maintenance, routine testing, authorized minor repairs to survey and fire control equipment, and operation of field communications equipment. Fire control computation includes the use of computer equipment systems, plotting survey data on firing charts, determination of target coordinates, and the conversion to target coordinates and observer's reports into firing data and commands. MOS 0844 is assigned upon completion of formal school. Upon promotion to staff sergeant and the appropriate formal school, the 0844 will be designated MOS 0848 (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl0848.htm).

From usmilitary.about.com

Looks like fun.

[zackmerc]

Is this the forward observer? My recruiter was that. He called down the thunder from artillery batteries.

[davblay]

ok, i was just reading up on some of the Enlisted MOS's, and i came across the 0844 MOS. "Field Artilerry Fire Control Man". It seems interesting, and i was wondering if anyone here knew anything about it. i read up on the basics and it seems pretty cool. anyways, does anyone here know anything about it? Thanks

0844 (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl0844.htm)-- Field Artillery Fire Control Man

Summary. Field artillery fire control men perform duties essential to the delivery of accurate artillery fire to include position survey and fire direction computation. Typical duties include preparation of fire control equipment for movement and operation, performance of detailed survey operations, performance of preventive maintenance, routine testing, authorized minor repairs to survey and fire control equipment, and operation of field communications equipment. Fire control computation includes the use of computer equipment systems, plotting survey data on firing charts, determination of target coordinates, and the conversion to target coordinates and observer's reports into firing data and commands. MOS 0844 is assigned upon completion of formal school. Upon promotion to staff sergeant and the appropriate formal school, the 0844 will be designated MOS 0848 (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/bl0848.htm).
Requirements/Prerequisites
(1) Must possess a GT score (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/blmarineasvab.htm) of 105 or higher.
(2) Complete the Field Artillery Fire Control Man Course.
(3) Must be a U.S. citizen.
(4) This MOS will be retained as an additional MOS upon promotion to SSgt in MOS 0848.
Duties. For a complete listing of duties and tasks, refer to MCO 1510.81 (http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.usmc.mil/directiv.nsf/df51342d91236d2685256517004eb026/5703347411615471852564990065f3c0%3FOpenDocument)_, Individual Training Standards.
Related DOT Classification/DOT Code. Field Artillery Operations Specialist 378.367-014.
Information Derived From MCO P1200.7V Part I and Part II.
<!-- END CONTENT AREA B --> <!-- Multi-page feature Navigation. Use this only if the feature has multiple pages. -->

Does that answer your question?

[usmc2007]

Well, i read that and thats why i asked. i didnt TOTALLY understand it. and i was wondering if anybody knew anything about it. but thanks for the replies. i understand it a little more now.

[KittyRina]

Hmm... description doesn't say anything about being male only.... lol.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

08 is male only. I doubt every 03 MOS description you read will say that only, they just assume that people can figure that part out.

[Namvet67]

Davblay pretty well answered your question. I was assigned 0844 in 1967. Back in those days the Corps chose your MOS based on your qualifications. It is a combat mos. Never saw a woman with a 08 mos.

[Marine84]

Hmm... description doesn't say anything about being male only.... lol.

Just make sure you don't do like the first chick that got into the Citadel.......................if you decide to go pushing matters any to "change" it - you best be ready to ride it out. When that chick was trying to get in the Citadel, I was all for her - I figured if I could make it through Marine Corps bootcamp that surely to goodness SHE could make it through the Citadel..................and how long did she last? Not very long.

[rvillac2]

OOHRAH, ARTY!

Firecontrol man is a cool MOS with technical challenges. This Marine works in the FDC, Fire Direction Control. This is the brain of an artillery unit. The Forward Observer (FO) calls in to the FDC for supporting fire. The FDC uses computers, charts, maps, and sometimes paper and pencil to calculate all the necessary directions that is relayed to the gunline.

The FDC sends firing orders to the gunline that is comprised of which shell to use, how much powder, and what angle+elevation to fire. The artillerymen on the gunline put those settings into place and pull the trigger.

As an FDC Marine, you'll do a lot of math and most of your work will be done in the back of a HUMMV, truck, or tent. You'll be next to the radios and will hear everything going on in the battle. You are also under the pressure of being the Grunt's 911 operator. You gotta get it right and quickly so that we can rain steel on target.

I'd be happy to answer other questions if you have them.

Useless Trivia: Mohammed Farrah, the son of Somali warlord Farrah Aidid (Battle of Mogadishu), and current Somali politician was an FDC Marine. We served together in the 1/14.

[Integrity57]

Told ya so '07 lol

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Useless Trivia: Mohammed Farrah, the son of Somali warlord Farrah Aidid (Battle of Mogadishu), and current Somali warlord was an FDC Marine. We served together in the 1/14.

There, I fixed it.

[rvillac2]

I agree he's become a dirtbag, E4B. However, calling him a "warlord" would be like calling your local used car salesman CINCPac.

He couldn't lead a hungry dog to food. He couldn't make war on a cub scout troop. He was an average Marine when I knew him, but always came off as a lover, not a fighter. LOL.

His dad was the ruthless SOB and he didn't take after him.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

That is true, but he did go there to try to take over the clan, at least from what I was told. And, since many of my good friends are politicians, I don't want their name soiled any more than they have to be.

[usmc2007]

Hmm... description doesn't say anything about being male only.... lol.


im not a female. i am a male.

[bgsuwoody]

I think she was talking about it for herself :)

[Marine84]

im not a female. i am a male.

LOL! Doofus...................she was talking about the job description, not your description!

[usmc2007]

LOL! Doofus...................she was talking about the job description, not your description!


Oops....sorry. i had just woken up when i posted that. lol

[bgsuwoody]

11:00 Wakeup call...wow, must be nice!

[usmc2007]

yea, i got kept out all night. family issues

[bgsuwoody]

No need to apologize...You aren't going to have many of those left very soon. Soak 'em up while you have the chance :)

[usmc2007]

No need to apologize...You aren't going to have many of those left very soon. Soak 'em up while you have the chance :)

yea, thanks...

[Covey_Rider]

Yes it does sound like an enjoyable job. However take into account that the Corps is not in need of to many Arty Marines right now. If my memory serves me correct, there are only two artillery batteries remaining in iraq. The three arty Marines that I know personally all got switched to different jobs in iraq. One ended up getting sent to become a combat engineer like myself and the other two got put on MP duty. Not trying to shy you away from this field but it's just something to think about.

[rvillac2]

Yup. Our local Arty Battallion got sent over, but as a Detention Battallion, not Arty.

at least they didn't go as Laundrymen.