Fire Support Man

Fire Support Marines perform the duties involved with the observation, conduct, and control of artillery and naval gunfire. The term "fire" relates to weapon fire as opposed to combustion and burning, thus the necessity of renaming the MOS to accommodate women on the front lines.

Other responsibilities of MOS 0861 include calling for, observing, and adjusting artillery and Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS). They include employment of laser designators and rangefinders, employment of radar beacons for NSFS support ships, and coordination of fire support assets.

Fire support assets include mortars, rockets, artillery, NSFS, and CAS/CIFS.

MCO 3501.26A, the Artillery Unit Training and Readiness (T and R) Manual, includes a complete listing of the duties and tasks associated with this MOS. 

Murphy’s Laws of Combat

Soldiers and Armies

1.You are not Superman.

2.Professionals' are predictable, but the world is full of amateurs.

3.No combat ready unit has passed inspection.

4.No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.

5.The side with the fanciest uniforms loses.

6.Murphy was a grunt.

Tactics

1.Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire.

2.Never draw fire, it makes everyone around you nervous.

3.Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.

4.Anything you can do can get you shot, including doing nothing.

5.If the enemy is in range, "SO ARE YOU!!!"

6.If you can't see the enemy, he still may be able to see you.

7.You can win without fighting, but it's a lot tougher to do. And the enemy may not cooperate.

Artillery and Bombing

1.Suppressive fire, won't.

2.Final protective fire doesn't.

3.Friendly fire, isn't.

4.Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support desperately.

5.Incoming fire has the right-of-way.

6.The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.

7.If you are forward of your position, artillery will fall short.

8.All-weather close support doesn't work in bad weather.

9.Precision bombing is normally accurate within plus/minus one mile.

10.Cluster bombing from B-52s and C-130s is very, very accurate. The bombs always hit the ground.

Marines do not step into this position without first meeting several prerequisites and undergoing specific training.

Applicants must possess a GT score of 100 or higher. They must have normal color vision and overall vision that's correctable to 20/20. They must have secret security clearance or be eligible for this clearance, and they must be U.S. citizens.

Additionally, applicants must complete the six-week Marine Artillery Scout Observer Course (MASOC) at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma, as well as the Fire Support Marine Course, EWTGPAC, at Coronado, California. MASOC is known to hold Marines to some very high standards. The course includes written tests weekly and three graded live fire missions. 

Because this is a PMOS, it is limited to only enlisted Marines, chief warrant officers, limited duty officers, and warrant officers. These Marines are promoted to this position. 

1) you get to blow shit up.

2) you hang with the grunts (they appreciate you)

1) the bad guys (tm) can see you... you are a high value target.

2) you hang with the grunts (cold/hot, wet/dry & muddy/dirty or any combination of these. don't forget thirsty, hungry, tired & sore)

ROFLMAO!