FORT SILL, Okla. March 3, 2016 -- In the past becoming a certified joint fires observer (JFO) required attending a two-week course at Fort Sill. A new training plan teaches incoming field artillery officers to be JFOs while attending the Basic Officer Leader Course.

"We fight in a joint environment working with Marines and Air Force and all types of aircraft and weapons capabilities," said Capt. Grady Dacus, a 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery BOLC instructor. "JFO is at the end of our BOLC course to consolidate everything they learned about artillery, surface-to-surface and air-to-surface fires to integrate them all in a joint environment."

The role of the JFO is to support a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) who is responsible for managing air-to-surface and surface-to-surface fires on a variety of attack platforms and through multiple branches of the military. The JFO support comes through their ability to extend the reach of the JTAC by serving as a different type of forward observer, but with the abilities of the JTAC. Unlike a traditional forward observer, JFO-certified personnel learn how to best request and control fires, along with the communication styles of each asset.

For example, when requesting fires from an Army aviation unit, the JFO may use specific terminology that differs from the way one requests fires from a Marine or Air Force unit. The JFO knows how to speak to them all which multiplies their fires ability.

"In theory, a cook can pick up a radio and call for fire," said Dacus, "but the JFO is trained on how to communicate the need quickly and efficiently."

The program launched two pilot classes in 2014, which were critiqued heavily, said Marine Maj. Eric Pickelsimer, 1-30th FA BOLC Officer Instructor Group officer in charge. The program was further developed in the past year and the new version was accredited in September 2015. BOLC Class No. 1-16 was the first to participate in the new training program and is set to graduate the course at the end of March.

To be recommended as a JFO, Soldiers must successfully accomplish six simulations and a written exam. They are tested on gathering information, targeting information and processing that information. They are taught battle tactics along with who they can coordinate with on the battlefield. Although they are recommended as a JFO, they will not become certified until they reach their first unit. The course at BOLC is considered "Phase 1" of the certification program while Phase 2 is completed at a division artillery JFO program. Dacus said the graduates are 90-percent complete with their certification when they leave BOLC. To complete their certification, the lieutenants must pass a final comprehensive exam.

"The advantage is they can apply what they learned at their unit immediately," said Dacus. "They can start training with JFOs under them or recommend a Soldier to be a JFO if they don't have one. Additionally they provide a wealth of knowledge."

By learning the skills while attending BOLC, officers are prepared for the needs of their commander and for any situations that may arise the moment they leave the schoolhouse, said Capt. Tadd Lyman, an instructor at BOLC.

"Their first day they could be assigned as a fire support officer and they need to be able to effectively execute their duty," said Lyman. "This training helps them know how to support their future boss. They need to know what is required for aircraft to engage targets; they need to be detailed and to provide timely and accurate information. They need to know this immediately after they graduate."