As a gunner in 2BCT 1AD, Bradleys are my bread and butter. Any Master Gunners out there who can give pros/cons to going through the course?

2016-12-23T21:02:36-05:00

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Dec 23 at 2016 9:15 PM

2016-12-23T21:15:55-05:00

Well first of all you must be a SGT(P) or higher to go to MG course. You become the competent professional from gun maintenance to setting up and running ranges. You are the commander's SME on all gunnery matters. Being a MG on the outside will get you some really good well paying jobs. In the Army you will have to fight hard to get your career progression duty positions ( squad leader, platoon sergeant, etc) but being a Master Gunner will help you make at least SFC.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 23 at 2016 9:36 PM

2016-12-23T21:36:18-05:00

Your at you are at least one rang and a promotable status shy of attending the MG course.

A your not eligible, B: you would not be successful unless you have way more experience, time in the job, then most SSG with 6-8 years as a Bradley guy.
Gunnery Skills Test within 6 months of attendance
Qualified on the BFV Gunnery Table VI within one year
COFT or BATS certified within 1 year of attendance
Knocks out many of those that want to go.

The BN or BDE MG will asses your understanding of theory and hands on,,,if your not wired tight on all of the basics, to include BATS, RUNNING gunner by the book... you will not be successful. It is a "Masters degree" not basic or mid level course. There is no time, or curriculum to teach/ learn the basics and mid level experience.

The Pros are its a GREAT course, the knowledge you will confirm and gain is invaluable if you remain in a Bradley unit. The Cos are, you will be the company or BN MG... a potion of tremendous stress unless the commands realllllllly on the ball, supportive and willing to listing to the SME.

Graduate of the Master Gunner Common Core Course
Active Army and Army National Guard: SGT (P) through SFC
Time in service: 4 years
Graduate of the Warrior Leader Course
MOS of 11B, 12B, 13F, and 19D
Army Service Component: Active Army and Army National Guard
Minimum GT score of 100
Gunnery Skills Test within 6 months of attendance
Qualified on the BFV Gunnery Table VI within one year
COFT or BATS certified within 1 year of attendance

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Dec 23 at 2016 10:29 PM

2016-12-23T22:29:59-05:00

My advice, it's free so take it for what it's worth.

Learn. Don't worry about learning that such and such card controls blah blah. Learn range operations and learn it well. Learn the flow of the range. Learn tactical flow when asking about collective gunner tables. Know how the tower controls the flow and work in those positions. Sitting at the hot box watching someone verify a track clear is a waste of time. Be the beachmaster. Be the script reader or FLIR operator.

Learn gear flow inside and out, front and back. This is three test questions on the exam. Recover gear flow, feeder gear flow, then receiver and feeder gear flow.

I recommend a pre course. The guard runs BTAC at Benning. It's two weeks and combines VCE and "pre mastergunner" into one. It will set you up for success. Take the course that ends the Friday before you report for master gunner school.

The school sucks. You learn a lot, but it sucks the life out of you. Tell your significant other to not bother you for four months. If shit goes wrong the house they need to deal with it. You need your focus in school. Don't party on the weekends. Take a rest day, do you laundry etc. eat a decent meal. The next day prep for class. Study. Always do your homework. NEVER blow it off. Your homework is the test 95% of the time. For UTP, you will build every range in class or for homework. So when you hit UTP if you did the homework you'll cruise through the ranges and resource chart.

If they tell you the sky is purple, it is. They will teach you what they want and how they want it. Don't show up with bad habits and get into a discussion or pissing contest. I watched one guy go home week 2 for that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 10:59 PM

2016-12-23T22:59:19-05:00

Wouldn't go to the course unless you've served as a BC for AT LEAST 2 Gunnery cycles. It's not about being able to shoot(hell anyone can do that with enough training). It's about being the CDR's SME on ALL aspects of Gunnery. From initial planning, training, and quite possibly (depending on level of position i.e.:Co, BN, or BDE) to building the range. Shooting is he easy part.
I've shot off every variant of the Brad (A0,A1, A2, ODS, and A3). I've forgotten more about that damn thing than I can remember. BUT I will never forget he 93 days of Gun School...lmao

Response by SFC John Hill made Dec 25 at 2016 5:06 PM

2016-12-25T17:06:07-05:00

There are prerequisites you need to get through first, including being SGT(P) before you can even submit a “school packet. ”
Being a “gun mechanic” or “top gun” means nothing, your primary function is to train, maintain, and sustain a qualified BFV equipped unit. You also become the Commander’s SME on all tactical/ technical matters relating to the BFV.
Don’t know how much the course has changed since I went. Do not get behind in the academics, you will be doing catch up while the rest of the class has moved on to the next periods of instruction.
A few links to check out. They also have a folder on AKO with info.
http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/316thCav/129/BMG/ https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/bradley-master-gunner https://www.facebook.com/Bradley-Master-Gunner [login to see] 83073/

The Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle System Master Gunner course is an 8 week 2 day course which utilizes small group training methodologies to train Master Gunners on Bradley Fighting Vehicle weapon systems maintenance and ABCT gunnery training strategies.

Response by SFC Ricardo Mendoza made Dec 28 at 2016 6:03 PM

2016-12-28T18:03:29-05:00

Patience is what you need. Do not get frustrated. It will help in the long run.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 9:04 AM

2016-12-29T09:04:26-05:00

First off KUDOS to you to want to attend Master Gunner School. As a Squadron and Brigade Master Gunner, do not let anyone sway you away from going. You can get a waiver as a SGT non P. I went after only being a Bradley Commander for 1 gunnery. I was not familiar with the mech world at all when I went. I have sent guys through school that have been on Bradleys for 10+ years and they didn't make it through, but I have sent guys with minimal experience and one of the was the DHG of the course.

If you believe that you are ready for the course then drop a school packet when your eligible. Have your commander type a rank waiver once you make SGT send it to the school house and if they approve it then go.

Being a Master Gunner is not that hard once you understand the concept of how to make everything work with little to no support. Once you become a Master Gunner, then you have to be able to prove that you are as good as you are at all times. While at school it will be like drinking from a fire hose. They will throw the information at you and expect you to catch it and implement it. If you cannot then you will be left behind or just fail on graduation day. Remember that nobody is safe at school.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2017 10:55 PM

2017-03-20T22:55:18-04:00

I have been to the Master Gunner's course, but I recently graduated the Vehicle Crew Evaluator's course and if that was anything to judge off of, it will give you a better understand of exactly what the evaluators are grading you on during qualification, and it will definitely help you aide your soldiers in theirs.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2017 10:56 PM

2017-03-20T22:56:11-04:00

Correction*
Have NOT been to the Master Gunner's Course. Sorry.

Response by SPC David Lemon made Feb 27 at 2018 1:21 AM

2018-02-27T01:21:58-05:00

I was a 12b in the 2BCT 1AD 40th ECB back in the mid 90s we had 113s back then, i heard they switched to bradleys is that true?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2020 7:01 AM

2020-11-30T07:01:25-05:00

Figured I would add an update to this old thread. I graduated from Bradley Master Gunner school this past August and needless to say, the advise I garnered from three years ago held true. Full circle to say the least, but thank you to all who took the time to give your own advice. Class 003-20. And for all of you legacy gentlemen out there, we’ve already gone to work!