This was cool

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

To get LCpl out of boot you would need to be company honor man, not just platoon.

0844 doesn't sound like a FO to me. It sounds like something you would do at the location where the arty is set up. 0861 is an FO. It isn't called Forward Observer, that just describes what the job does- not what the name of it is.

[BushdaktaRoy]

My MOS is 0861, and from what I've heard it's a pretty cool job.

[gnarkill04]

What does 0861 imply exactly?

[LeonardLawrence]

MOS-Military Occupational Specialty.
0861 FIRE SUPPORT MEN

Summary. Fire support men perform duties incident to the observation, conduct, and control of artillery and naval gunfire. These duties include calling for, observing and adjusting artillery and NSFS, employment of laser designators/range finders, employment of radar beacons for NSFS support ships and coordination of fire support assets to include mortars, rockets, artillery, NSFS and CAS/CIFS.
Requirements/Prerequisites
(1) Must possess a GT score of 100 or higher.
(2) Complete the Marine Artillery Scout Observer Course, Ft. Sill, OK.
(3) Must have normal color vision, and vision correctable to 20/20.
(4) Must have a secret security clearance.
(5) Complete the Fire Support Man Course, EWTGPAC, Coronado, CA.
(6) Must be a U.S. citizen.
Duties. For a complete listing of duties and tasks, refer to MCO 1510.81_, Individual Training Standards.
Related DOT Classification/DOT Code
(1) Artillery or Naval Gunfire Observer 378.367-010.
(2) Field Artillery Senior Sergeant 378.132-010.
Related Military Skill
(1) Field Artillery Radar Operator, 0842. (2) Field Artillery Fire Control Man, 0844