Army Times

Today I got up bright and early to go to my Army National Guard drill. I missed the physical training test last month, so I had to do it this month. I got up around 4 in the morning, and brushed my teeth, headed out to pick up a local guardsman so we could carpool to drill in St. George. We talked along the way about random Army stuff, but we eventually became bored of the conversation and fell silent.

When we got to the St. George Armory, we headed into the Armory gym to start stretching to prepare for our PT Test. I knew I was going to pass, but I was sore from the PT Test I had to take two days ago, (unfortunately ROTC does not carry over into Army....) Anyways, I did pretty good on the push-ups and sit-tups as did everyone else, but then came the run... Now I am phenomenal at the run, but everyone else has trouble with it. I came in first with a 14-minute-two-mile.

Only one other person who was taking the PT test with me passed, he's the new LT. in our battery, a really nice guy. All of the other people who failed were giving excuses as to why they failed the run.... The only excuse is that they are lazy and don't know how to train themselves to get into shape. Many of them walked a good chunk of the course. It states in the instructions that walking is strongly discouraged, though I never have to worry about this.

When we had changed and assembled for formation we had quite a few new guys who had returned from Iraq or who had been placed into our battery because of the changes in the battalion. The First Sgt. announced the list of things we needed to get done today, and we had to get a flu shot first. Everyone is required to, but who could complain? It's free and keeps us healthy.

Then we headed out to the gun line to do what we call PMCS. I'll explain it in as few words as possible: we inspect the vehicles we are using for training/combat for any damage, missing parts, or leaks under the vehicle. During PMCS we have to list anything we notice that's out of shape in our log books to return to the maintenance guys. They take care of all of the serious damage, but we take care of the little things, like checking and adding fluids, lights, and tracks that have been damaged.

After PMCS is finished we start the vehicles, then check the gauges to make certain they are all within range of use. If not, first we check the gauges, then shut the engine off and notify maintenance that the vehicle is inoperable. Anyways, if all goes well during the PMCS then we set up the radios, sometimes these can be a problem. The radio and computer guys (13D) come around and use a radio frequency programmer to "fill" our radios so we can all be on the same frequency at the same time, so we all hear each-other when necessary.

Then the commander gives us all a safety briefing and we head back to the gun line so we can further prepare ourselves for training/combat. Then FDC guys, (the guys who send us information on our computers about the ammo, location, direction, and range), send us a 'move order.' So we head out to our destination to get ammo/fuel and do training/combat.

The lead gun chief has checkpoints he must call out when he reaches the locations, FDC takes note that we have continued through the checkpoints and confirms with the battery that we have reached them unharmed. When we finally reach our destination, we then make a formation, such as the wedge, (a "V" shaped position so security is more effective). Then we "emplace" on our position inside our destination's target area. Emplacement is simple, we just get ourselves lined up with our target range within a meter and directly on the correct azimuth of fire.

This makes it so FDC can send us what is called Deflection, (vertical angle of fire), and the Azimuth, (horizontal angle of fire). When they send us this information it comes over the computer with an alarm, it's called a "Fire Mission." That means we are about to fire a round down range at a target building, bunker, or vehicle, (only if it's a High explosive round).

Everyone is supposed to echo the word FIRE MISSION as the gun chief says it. This means the driver idles up the engine so the hydraulics can move without stressing the batteries or hydraulic pump. At the same time the ammo team chief gets the round and powder ready to be sent down range, and the number one man preps the chamber and hydraulic ram to place the round into the chamber of the gun. Then the chief verifies that the round, fuse, and powder are all in the right configuration. At the time when he verifies it, the number one man pushes it into position to be rammed into the chamber, rams it, and closes the chamber.

At this point the chief gives all further commands, he has to verify that the information is correct and then he rotates the gun into position to align with the target down range. He commands the number one man to place the primer into the chamber, then hook up a lanyard to pull to fire the gun. Now here's where it gets tricky, if the computer says, "fire when ready" he can fire when he's ready, if the computer says, "at my command" he must wait until FDC gives the command to fire, then he may fire, if it gives the chief a certain time at which he must fire it, he tells the number one man to fire on that mark.

The round is sent down range to it's target, and with precision accuracy, it destroys it's target. This is the life of the artillerymen, the Red-legs, the Kings of Battle. We hold the singe most feared, and effective weapon on the battlefield besides the nuclear warhead. We strike fear in the enemies' heart and cause them to want to quit, or slow their efforts while taking out important targets.