Redefining the Marine Fire Support Military Occupation Specialty

摘要

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) have releaved a severe lack of properly trained and qualified fire support personnel. This deficiency which impacts maneuver's ability to conduct combined arms operations. General Jones identified the importance of fire supporters in the Marine air ground task force (MAGTF) and stated, 'Failure to develop professional fire supporters could result in disaster.' The fire supporter must be able to coordinate and deconflict several different fire support assets and maneuver which all operate in the same space. The current operational environment does not provide for proper development or maturing of qualified fire supporters. The artillery community can help fulfill the Marine Corps' and Joint Forces' need for qualified fire supporters by developing a Fire Supporter military occupational specialty (MOS) with a unique school path, legitimate career progression, and increased force structure.