When will the Army have its own JTAC capability?

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:14:51 -0400

Joint Terminal Attack Controller

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 3:57 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 03:57:02 -0400

They have JTACs, mostly 18 series guys because they are the only army units that have expressed the want to have a JTAC program and actually did the leg work to set it up. CAS as a whole is owned by the Marine Corps and Air Force. They're are JTACs in almost every service however the TACP career field is based solely around CAS therefor it is easier to maintain the career field to do the job, this way there is more continuity and a more borderline standard set. Unlike it being more like a additional skill set that you would see in a 18 series guy, CCT, Navy Seal jobs such as that who have the ability to become JTACs however it is not their main job. Same concept applies with the Marines they have done all of the work to have a functioning JTAC program.

There seems to be some confusion from the SSG CCTs and TACPs have been around for a long time and will continue to. They are two separate career fields who's jobs overlap in many ways but have individual specialties CCTs primarily fill a pathfinder role with additional JTAC qualification as a possibility. TACPs are around only to become JTACs they can also gain qualifications in pathfinder operations. CCTs will most likely always be around however if you are saying that they will be if the TACPs go away true but then you are also implying that the army has it's full functioning JTAC program, in which there is no need for them to fill a JTAC role... So they will be the traditional pathfinder for a team.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 5:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 17:52:33 -0400

They already have them and use them.

Response by 1SG Erik Wacker made Jan 25 at 2017 11:09 AM

1SG Erik Wacker — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 11:09:12 -0500

Do JTACS not have to go thru some type of ATC school? I mean JTAC "Joint Terminal Attack Controller"

Response by CPL Timothy Rodowicz made Mar 1 at 2018 12:58 AM

CPL Timothy Rodowicz — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:58:23 -0500

It always has as far as I know. I took a class for JTAC along with some other FiSTers attached to the battalion. It was led by Air Force personnel and pilots before we went out to the field and did some training calling in strikes from 2 attack helicopters(can't disclose what they were) and a Warthog fighter jet, or A 10 Thunderbolt II, whichever you prefer to call it.