Working as a Fire Support Specialist?

The US Army has a plethora of job opportunities for individuals looking to acquire advanced training that can be applied to a plethora of rewarding careers. Working as a fire support specialist with grant the soldier with an advanced knowledge of computer systems while giving them an exciting opportunity to test their mettle in the field of battle. These men are daily tasked to encode and decode messages, establish and maintain communications systems, determine targets using computer systems or manual calculations, and assist in the setup and maintaining of advanced computer systems used in target location. More than just a calculating individual who designates targets and can work with computers, a fire support specialist is an essential part of every team to ensure victory when fighting against this nation’s adversaries.

Training to become a fire support specialist is as comprehensive as the job responsibilities. Candidates must go through the nine week basic training program that all recruits complete, as well as six addition weeks of Advanced Individual classroom training and on-site instruction. The curriculum includes training on targeting locations, ammunition techniques, artillery tactics, and operation for gun, missile, and rocket systems.

Not everyone can be a fire support specialist, as instructors hand pick candidates who have perfect color vision and can the physical prowess to succeed in strenuous tasks while going without rest for long periods. Furthermore, individuals looking to become part of this elite group should demonstrate the ability to work well under stress, the capacity to perform in a team environment, and an interest in cannons and artillery.

While becoming a fire support specialist isn’t a direct career path, being one during a service period will allow the individual to enter the professional working world with a comprehensive knowledge of computer systems and information technology. Fire support specialists also have great computational skills and the ability to work efficiently under conditions of extreme duress, both of which are very attractive qualities to prospective employers. Many fire support specialists who have completed their service terms have pursued rewarding opportunities in computer consulting, data processing, or information technology support. For the ability to serve one’s country while gaining valuable, in depth knowledge in an exciting work environment, a job as a fire support specialist should definitely be considered.