Field artillery leaders certify on howitzers

FORT SILL, Okla. (April 9, 2015) -- The Army does not accept the saying, "those who can't-- teach." Instead, they expect those who teach to perform.

Senior leaders in C Battery, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery took to the field March 31 through April 1 for their annual big three certification.

The field artillery qualification training, led by Sgt. 1st Class Booker Brown, the battalion's school chief and master gunner, certified a group of 25 officers on all tasks associated with accurate and safe aiming of the M777, M119 and the M109 Paladin.

"Big three means you've got to be the subject matter expect with laying the gun system and knowing what can go technically wrong with each howitzer piece," said Booker.

The training included a written safety certification test, a timed set up and disassembly of the M2A2 aiming circle and certification on the Gun Laying and Positioning System.

The Soldiers are responsible for Advanced Individual Training students in the military occupational specialty 13B, or cannon crewmember.

Big three certification is only required once a year, but with new cadre members coming in frequently they do it every six months.

"It's a good opportunity to maintain safety in the field when we're firing. It's the most important thing," said Maj. Anthony Brenner, 1-78th FA operations officer. "As officers we take part in the safety (13B) test (13D) test and the last piece is familiarization with the howitzer. It helps in case there is a firing incident or if we have to check the data."

When the 13B students leave training as cannon crewmembers they are expected to serve as part of artillery teams to support infantry and tank units in combat.

Booker said the certification is just part of being ready to support fires and manuevers.

"If a commander requests for you to have their back when they're maneuvering they may need fire support. If you have a bad track record with being able to shoot guns accurately they might want to call the Apaches or someone else, but we're the 'King of Battle' for a reason."

He said being able to aim swiftly and accuratley is the difference between a battle won or lost.

"The infantry is trusting that you can shoot over them and hit the target, not on them or behind them."

The Soldiers know several ways to lay the weapon using advanced equipment like the GLPS, to the more rudimentary M2A2 Aiming Circle, to the basics.

"We can lay the gun by the guns, we can lay it by the stars. There's just so many ways and they're all accurate. As long as you do the right math," said Booker.