How does one become a door gunner or gunner on a HMMWV?

2018-03-07T20:41:55-05:00

My current MOS is 91e ( welder and machinist )
How can I get opportunities for combat without reclassing

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2018 10:19 PM

2018-03-07T22:19:18-05:00

Be attached to the infantry. I got to be a M-2 gunner, because I was an FO for 81mm, didn't need to volunteer.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 12:41 AM

2018-03-08T00:41:26-05:00

There are 91E's in the Brigade Support Battalions. Those units have heavy wheels which have M2A1 .50Cal machine guns and MK-19 grenade launchers mounted on them. In general, you will either drive a vehicle or gun a vehicle as a young enlisted person. That being said, this isn't "opportunity for combat." As a welder, you will be in these vehicles when you are moving the Brigade Field Trains from one point to another. Stop, establish the Field Trains, weld stuff. Rinse and repeat as necessary. As a welder you are a "low density MOS," and are in high demand for your skill. You won't get the opportunity to go Soldier with the infantry in combat. The Army needs machinists who do their job well. There will still be ranges and opportunities to fire weapons and you will have the chance to be a gunner on a vehicle...if you're not driving. Take the opportunities where you can find them SPC Private RallyPoint Member, but be the best damned machinist in the Army first.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Mar 8 at 2018 1:07 AM

2018-03-08T01:07:45-05:00

Being a gunner on a HMMWV sucks. And sucks hard. Especially back in the days when you had to spin the turret using nothing but your leg strength or a shitty hand-crank. You're stuck where the truck takes you, you have shoddy cover, the enemy are targeting you first because you're the biggest threat, and you have the least amount of protection from IEDs. You'd find it fun for about five minutes until you realize what it is you're getting yourself into.

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Mar 8 at 2018 2:40 AM

2018-03-08T02:40:15-05:00

Watching too many action movies have we? Why are you so interested in becoming a gunner? Think killing someone is like being in the movies? Listen Hard Charger, real soldier's detest war, you want to shoot accurately, keep going to the range and get qualified on as many weapons possible, but don't thirst for blood it could be yours. Besides, demons will haunt you for a life time. Fight and kill for a just cause, then you might be able to live with yourself not to glorify ambition.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 9:47 AM

2018-03-08T09:47:09-05:00

That's an interesting question. I was a Squid...and a Squid-O at that. Probably can't get less "Infantry" or more "POG" if one tried. Never the less, I logged a whole bunch of time in the turret while participating in convoys in Afghanistan as a member of an ETT over twelve months. I imagine if you're deployed, and unwise enough to volunteer for things, someone, somewhere might stick you in the hot seat.

I'll repeat what several here have already said...it's not something to envy. First off, if anything does go pear shaped, you're the least protected person and arguably, the one with the most responsibility for reacting. If it's raining or cold...or cold and raining...you're getting it all. You've never eaten so much dust. Imagine heading out for two weeks into the field, starting out soaking wet and frozen. Depending on theater and ROE, you may have a crew-served weapon you're "not supposed" to use, that can easily have an ND if you're not paying attention, and will be useless if you don't have it loaded and ready to fire (the stupid policy some commanders enforced just to prevent NDs). You'll be told in the brief to watch out for a "white Toyota", then encounter a hundred white Toyotas...any one of which could be a VBIED, or full of decent folks just trying to get somewhere. If you follow ROE, it's likely it will be too late...if you don't follow ROE, you're life is toast. Either way, it's a bad day. Drivers and TCs aren't always the sharpest tools in the shed, and you might find yourself flipping over into a ditch, jarred trying to keep you, your weapons and ammo onboard while they bang along at three times any practical speed. I got thrown over the back of one (because I was an idiot) and avoided a spinal injury by very narrow margins once. Having been in a convoy that got "hit", I can assure you it ranks as one of the most chaotic, confusing and terrifying experiences of my life. At best, you're going to fall back on instinct and training...all of which will hopefully prevent you from screwing up. At worst, you'll freeze up and someone else will pay for it. Even if you do everything "right"...you may have to live the rest of your life knowing you took a human life; not something to want.

My advice would be to focus on doing the best you can in your current duties, and if fate ever puts you in the position to do more, pay very close attention to what more experienced people tell you, focus on the task, and pray your convoy's biggest excitement is pulling in for "Green Beans" at the FOB. Best wishes.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-03-08T10:19:54-05:00

Does your unit have vehicular weapons systems?- If so talk to your chain of command about manning one. If your unit deploys, then there you are- if not then NO. Only systems with the Mech/Armor/Aviation folks have gunner slots/MOS's

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Mar 8 at 2018 11:08 AM

2018-03-08T11:08:38-05:00

What did you think you were signing up for when you chose machinist? These fantasies about heroic combat are just that fantasy. Your typical combat patrol is hours of boredom punctuated with a few minutes of terror. I suggest that if you want combat, re class. Otherwise be a great machinist. They're in short supply. Nearly every unit needs your skill. Not everyone who contributes to the fight, shoots a gun.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 9 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-03-09T09:44:19-05:00

Odds are you will be assigned a truck and trailer to work with. Learn that first. Your assigned weapon will be by your unit MTOE. Odds are there is a machine gun in your future. Doesn't mean you will shoot it more than once a year. Learn your real job, get every welding cert you can. Your skill set is far more important that riding around like a German Shepard with your head out the window because it looks cool.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 9 at 2018 10:15 AM

2018-03-09T10:15:30-05:00

Volunteer, My gunners rotated depending on where we were going, what the mission we were supporting was and what the enemy situation was expected to be. Each Soldier had a different MG. As CSM I asked for volunteers, did interviews and picked the three baddest assed young Soldiers available. Two were mechanics, one was a line PLt Soldier, having mechanics on the team was awesome as we could keep our shit running and they could do repairs on the other vehicles as needed.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 16 at 2018 12:00 AM

2018-06-16T00:00:30-04:00

Ensure you qualify expert and make sure that your leadership knows your desire. Thank you for your service.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 12:10 PM

2018-08-06T12:10:05-04:00

Just wait until you go on a real recovery mission as allied trades overseas. I promise you’ll change your mind.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 12:11 PM

2018-08-06T12:11:48-04:00

They literally string wire under bridges that you can’t see just to closeline you. You do not want to be gunner