View Full Version : TOW Gunner
119Wrestler
02-21-09, 12:08 PM
I have a quick question, I know TOW missiles and Javelin Missiles are very expensive. So I was wondering, do Marines with the MOS 0352 fire these weapons alot?
Schmelzer EJ
04-02-09, 05:39 AM
The Two years that I was a TOW gunner I fired only one and saw 15. they were all from the 1970's and we were told that they cost around $10,000 each.
USMCMason
04-02-09, 05:31 PM
If you graduate SOI with an MOS of 0352, usually the top 3 in the class get a missile. I was lucky to be the best on diss/ass and high score on armor ID so I was given one. Don't expect to fire another for a while though. It's almost impossible to get a Javelin.
From what I was told, the TOW costs approx $65k each and the Javelin is over $200k.
Pete0331
04-02-09, 05:52 PM
I have nothing going on now so I've done a little looking.
Chronology of TOW system:
http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/tow/tow_chronology.html
M-220 TOW Data:
(Note: the price tag is for a single TOW system)
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/tow.htm
Info on BGM-71F TOW 2B:
(Missile itself)
http://www.deagel.com/Anti-Armor-Weapons-and-Missiles/BGM-71F-TOW-2B_a001149005.aspx
Info on Javelin missile:
http://www.deagel.com/Anti-Armor-Weapons-and-Missiles/Javelin_a001154001.aspx
Short answer:
TOW - $50,000 USD
Javelin - $170,000 USD
rktect3j
04-02-09, 06:04 PM
In 4 years you might be able to shoot about 2 missiles if you are lucky. Of course, if you are in a combat zone, your chances increase dramatically.
119Wrestler
04-02-09, 06:55 PM
Oh wow, thats expensive. Haha
Was learning the Armor ID hard?
And what do TOW gunners do on a regular basis? Since those missiles are so expensive?
richerich
04-02-09, 07:07 PM
Tows are bad azz, the Stingers are much more expensive, and quite scarier for the birds in the sky. Never got to fire one though :)
119Wrestler
04-02-09, 07:30 PM
Stingers are what LAAD gunners use right?
Cause my buddy is a LAAD gunner and he says shooting a missile is the coolest thing ever lol
TOW gunners train with this thing called a LETT. It is a TOW launcer that fires a laser instead of a missle and the target indicates hits. Usually mounted on a moving vehicle.
119Wrestler
04-02-09, 07:40 PM
Oh thats pretty cool.
Too bad there isnt a boom haha
USMCMason
04-02-09, 08:50 PM
Armor ID isn't bad, if you study during your free time. The instructors will help you with it, giving you little hints how to memorize everything.
Don't let anyone tell you TOW stands for Tired Of Walking. You are still an 03 and are treated as such until someone needs a smart grunt to push a button.
119Wrestler
04-02-09, 11:17 PM
So being TOW gunners you still go on humps and stuff right?
Or are you always on a Humvee?
USMCMason
04-05-09, 09:48 PM
Sorry, was off playing Marine over the weekend...
It really depends on the unit that you join as to what you will end up doing. I happened to join a unit that has 3 (including me) TOW gunners. We don't even have a TOW/ITAS system in the Battalion. So, I'm an 0331, 0351, 0311 - it really depends on the mission and what day it is.
We aren't on the ground as much as the 11's but it's still a possibility.