How to Become a Fire Support Specialist

If you're a forward-looking individual, then look no farther! You may be the perfect person to take on the role of fire support specialist. Fire support specialists, also known as forward observers, serve as members of the Army's field artillery team. They act as the eyes of an artillery unit and are primarily responsible for target acquisition and relaying that information to artillery units at all levels.

In this role, they operate radio wire communications and speech security equipment and for leading, supervising or serving in intelligence activities such as target processing for artillery units and brigade maneuvers. Some of the other tasks they perform on the job include encoding and decoding messages, preparing fire support situation plans and maps, and training subordinates in support procedures and tactics.

To be successful as a fire support specialist, you'll need to be physically and mentally fit and be able to perform under pressure. If you're looking to get into this field, you'll typically find work with the Army National Guard. In the Guard, you will receive 10 weeks of Basic Training. After that, you will attend six weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), which will include a combination of hands-on and classroom training that will prepare you to for your role as a fire support specialist.