Cannon Fire Direction Specialist (13E)
- Enlisted
- Active Duty
- Closed to Women
A Cannon Fire Direction Specialist is a member of the Army’s field artillery team. Artillery are weapons that fire large ammunition or missiles and are used by the Army to support infantry and tank units in combat, as well as protect land and sea forces from air attack. The Cannon Fire Direction Specialist is primarily responsible for leading, supervising or serving as a member of a field artillery cannon unit.
Here are some duties of a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist:
- Establish, maintain and operate communications systems
- Assist in the preparation of computer centers for operation
- Prepare field artillery tactical data systems for operation
- Determine target location using computers or manual calculations
Requirements:
Cannon Fire Direction Specialists must have the physical stamina to perform strenuous activities for long periods without rest. They’re also required to have normal color vision in order to identify color-coded ammunition.
Training:
Job training for a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and seven weeks, four days of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in a classroom and part in the field under simulated combat. Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
- Methods of computing target locations
- Ammunition-handling techniques
- Gun, missile and rocket system operations
- Artillery tactics
Helpful Skills:
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to think and remain calm under stress
- Ability to work as a member of a team
- Interest in cannon and rocket operations
- Ability to perform multiple duties at one time
Advanced Responsibilities:
Advanced level Cannon Fire Direction Specialists supervise and train other Soldiers. As an advanced Cannon Fire Direction Specialist, you may be involved in:
- Assisting in the supervision of all fire control operations
- Performing computer operations, fire mission processing, fire plan schedules and database construction
- Initiating computer center operations
- Performing maintenance on section equipment
