Heavy Weapons Jobs

OVERVIEW
The Weapons Locating Radar (WLR) Specialist is responsible for detecting enemy forces and alerting the units in the Army National Guard. Using a “firefinder”, a highly specialized radar, they can detect various objects and their locations.

JOB DUTIES

• Operate firefinder radar and other systems
• Establish and maintain radio and wire communications
• Construct bunkers and similar areas for other field artillery
• Maintain firefinder radar with scheduled checkups

TRAINING
Job training for a Weapons Locating Radar (WLR) Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place on firefinder equipment.

Advanced Individual Training: 10 weeks at Fort Sill, OK

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Operating firefinder equipment
• Basic workings of radar and identifying objects
• Field tactics and combat communications
• Calculating/recording speed, direction and altitude

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Surveillance & Communications (SC): 98

HELPFUL SKILLS

• Interest in radar and electronics
• Skills in geometry and math
• Ability to maintain long periods of focus

WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
131A Field Artillery Targeting Technician

FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
While there is no direct job equivalent to a Weapons Locating Radar (WLR) Specialist in civilian life, the skills you learn, such as teamwork, discipline and leadership, will help you in any civilian career you choose.

OVERVIEW
A Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember is responsible for operating and maintaining the entire multiple launch rocket system. They support Infantry and tank units by supplementing cannon artillery during combat.

JOB DUTIES

• Drive and maintain self-propelled launch vehicles
• Reload ammunition and resupply vehicles
• Test and maintain fire control systems
• Mount radio sets and communication systems in all vehicles

TRAINING
Job training for a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field under simulated combat conditions.

Advanced Individual Training: 6 weeks at Fort Sill, OK

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Calculating target locations manually and electronically
• Handling ammunition
• Operating gun, missile and rocket systems
• Artillery tactics and battle strategy

HELPFUL SKILLS

• Interest in cannon and rocket operations
• Physical and mental fitness to perform under pressure
• Ability to multitask
• Capability to work as a team member

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Field Artillery (FA): 96

WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
131A Field Artillery Targeting Technician

FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
While there is no direct job equivalent to a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember in civilian life, the skills you learn, such as teamwork, discipline and leadership, will help you in any civilian career you choose.

OVERVIEW
Cannon Crewmembers work the howitzer cannons that support infantry and tank units during combat, and play crucial roles in the Army National Guard’s success on the battlefield.

JOB DUTIES

• Communicate over wire and radio
• Identify target locations
• Operate self-propelled howitzers, ammunition trucks and other vehicles
• Participate in reconnaissance operations

TRAINING
Job training for a Cannon Crewmember requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and five weeks and four days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field under simulated combat conditions.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Calculating targets manually and electronically
• Handling ammunition
• Operating gun systems
• Artillery tactics and battle strategy

HELPFUL SKILLS

• Interest in cannon operations
• Physical and mental fitness to perform under pressure
• Ability to make quick decisions
• Capable of working as a team member

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Field Artillery (FA): 93

Learn more about the ASVAB.

WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
131A Field Artillery Targeting Technician

FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
While there is no job equivalent to a Cannon Crewmember in civilian life, the skills you learn, such as teamwork, discipline and leadership, will help you in any career you choose.

OVERVIEW
The Fire Control Specialist integrates and processes tactical battlefield information from multiple users and sensors through a network of Army National Guard and joint automated battle command systems.

JOB DUTIES

• Operate communications systems
• Work with primary tactical data system operations
• Manage databases
• Process fire missions

REQUIREMENTS
Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army National Guard jobs are best for you. 

TRAINING
Job training for a Fire Control Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and seven weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field under simulated combat conditions.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Computing target locations
• Operating gun, missile and rocket systems
• Artillery tactics

HELPFUL SKILLS

• Interest in cannon and rocket operations
• Physical and mental fitness to perform under pressure
• Ability to multitask
• Capability to work as a team member

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Field Artillery (FA): 93

Learn more about the ASVAB. 

COMPENSATION
Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay and vacation time.

EDUCATION BENEFITS
In the Army National Guard, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships; allowances for books and fees; and an annual stipend for living expenses.

FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you will learn will help you in any civilian career you choose. The experience you gain from dealing with various computer and communication systems can also be used in jobs such as computer programmer or telecommunication specialist.

OVERVIEW
The Joint Fire Support Specialist is primarily responsible for the intelligence activities of the Army National Guard’s Field Artillery team.

JOB DUTIES

• Set up and operate communications systems
• Encode and decode messages
• Assist in the preparation of fire support plans, coordinates and targets
• Operate laser range finders and target devices
• Determine target locations using computers or manual calculations

TRAINING 
Job training for a Joint Fire Support Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and ten weeks and four days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field under simulated combat conditions.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Computing target locations
• Ammunition techniques
• Operating gun, missile and rocket systems
• Artillery tactics, techniques and procedures

HELPFUL SKILLS

• Interest in cannon and rocket operations
• Physical and mental fitness to perform under pressure
• Ability to multitask
• Capability to work as a team member

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Field Artillery (FA): 96

Learn more about the ASVAB. 

WARRANT OFFICER TRACK
131A Field Artillery Targeting Technician

FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career in computer consulting, technology support, data processing and other related fields.