This article outlines the strategy implemented in a deliberate certification process at the forward support battery (FSB) level. The process validates the technical proficiency of newer Soldiers who have not been to the field with the unit and require training outside of their initial training schools. It also reinforces tactical competence and ensures that the FSB can sustain field artillery squadron (FAS) operations under realistic, demanding conditions, while also ensuring that tactical-level organizations have a standardized approach to certifying formations.
Certification Framework Overview
The FSB certification model builds Soldier and unit capability through five tables, referred to as sustainment tables (STs) I through V. This includes individual skills proficiency, section/team certifications, platoon technical certification, platoon tactical certification, and finally, an FSB mission exercise. The combination of these tables creates a process that strengthens readiness from individual sustainers to larger sustainment operations, which supports the larger certifications for a support squadron (brigade) as illustrated in “Sustainment Qualification Tables” by LTC Kimberly DeFour, et. al, in the fall 2025 edition of Army Sustainment.
ST I: Individual Proficiency
Skills are tested to establish a baseline for Soldier competencies and military occupational specialty (MOS)-specific technical skills vital to FSB sustainment missions. ST I mirrors the Artillery Skills Proficiency Test (ASPT) outlined in Training Circular 3-09.8, Fire Support and Field Artillery Certification and Qualification. Ranks private to sergeant conduct individual testing during ST I to align with ASPT and Expert Soldier Badge tasks. This includes communication competencies, weapons familiarization, and MOS-specific tasks. Additionally, team leaders complete the pre-drive validation course to ensure pre-combat check/inspection abilities before further checks by battery-level command teams and convoy movement from the motor pool.
Platoon leadership oversees MOS-specific certifications within respective platoons. Maintenance Soldiers demonstrate skills associated with fault isolation, Global Combat Support System-Army knowledge, Class IX management, and field recovery techniques. Distribution Soldiers plan missions, including for Class III(B) and Class V artillery ammunition. Field feeding team Soldiers set up both the containerized kitchen (CK) and assault kitchen (AK), identify food safety procedures, and forecast rations. Headquarters platoon executes command post (CP) setup, logistics status analysis and forecasting, communications architecture establishment, and administrative procedures by individual functions within the CP. Soldiers must achieve a GO on all checklist items. Soldiers who receive a NO-GO must retrain and retest before execution of Table II.
ST II: Section and Team Certification
Table II validates FSB teams’ ability to execute sustainment missions independently.
Maintenance platoon sections establish contact teams, operate unit maintenance collection points (MCPs) in accordance with Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 4-33, Maintenance Operations, conduct recovery operations in a field environment, and validate tool and parts accountability. Distribution platoon sections establish rearm, refuel, and resupply point (R3P) locations for firing batteries to receive classes of supply and dunnage retrograde. Field feeding teams provide hot meals for 150 to 500 personnel in the CK and conduct remote feeding with an AK aligned with a singular battery during artillery table (AT) XII execution, while also maintaining field sanitation at both locations. The FSB headquarters conducts 45-minute CP emplacement and displacement drills, tracks information flow through analog and digital means, and validates the internal and external communications architecture (wireless and local area network connections). An external observer/controller team from other forward support troops within the regiment ensures standardized evaluation across platoons and compliance with ATP 4-90, Brigade Support Battalion.
ST III: Platoon Technical Certification
Table III validates each platoon’s ability to execute the mission-essential task list. This includes the maintenance platoon performing field maintenance, conducting recovery operations, and executing a 24-hour maintenance cycle. The distribution platoon conducts logistics packages (LOGPACs), operates fuel system supply points, completes convoy operations, and distributes Classes I(B), III, V, and IX from the strategic support area to the gunline. The field feeding team sustains Class I support for 72 hours and manages multiple feeding sites to support an individual firing battery and the individual elements, such as radar locations and the main CP. Finally, the headquarters platoon operates the FSB CP, which maintains the sustainment common operational picture, tracks the squadron’s supply consumption, and forecasts future operational requirements. Resupply triggers across all supply classes are aligned with essential field artillery tasks and are understood at echelon, in accordance with Field Manual (FM) 3-09, Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations.
ST IV: Platoon Tactical Certification
Table IV examines how platoons can survive and operate in combat environments. Each lane allows platoon leaders and NCOs to conduct troop-leading procedures and execute a mission while in a tactical movement. Tasks such as react-to-contact and indirect fire scenarios stress-test leaders’ decision making. The embedded tasks within ST IV include CP/MCP/security site establishment and defense, survivability moves, casualty evacuation/9-line procedures, communications loss/compromise procedures, displacement under fire, convoy defense, and chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear response. Exercises occur in day and night environments to simulate realistic operational conditions.
ST V: FSB Mission Exercise
The culminating event for the certification process is a 48- to 96-hour sustainment exercise designed to mimic a combat training center at a micro-level within a home-based training location. It includes LOGPAC execution, fuel and ammunition support, maintenance operations, and CP battle tracking. Realistic consumption factors, friction points, and sustainment problem sets are incorporated. Military decision-making process participation is included when required. Successful completion validates the FSB’s capability to support FAS operations and prepares for contested logistics challenges as outlined in FM 4-0, Sustainment Operations.
Integration of STs III to V into the AT XII Window
Tables III to V are embedded in the AT XII training and integrate members of the squadron staff, typically co-located within a combat trains command post (CTCP), with negligible impact on AT XII. AT XII serves as a capstone event for firing battery platoons and integration of squadron staff into the CTCP, not typically seen until at least AT XVIII. The FSB collective training with AT XII ensures maximum combat realism, synchronized sustainment training with organic elements, live feedback, and an efficient use of training days to mitigate impact on squadron assets. These training gates showcase FSB’s ability to operate under the same conditions and tempo as firing units, while also providing real mission sets that include LOGPAC cycles, fuel distribution, ammunition resupply, maintenance recovery, and feeding operations that directly support dry and live-fire missions.
Execution Approach
- Quarter 2, Fiscal Year (FY) 26: Complete STs I and II, ensuring all Soldiers and sections are individually certified on basic Soldier tasks and MOS-specific individual tasks.
- Quarter 3, FY26: Embed platoon technical certification (ST III) during initial AT XII support events. Place platoon tactical certifications (ST IV) during movements from ammunition and fuel distribution locations to training locations, so firing platoons are not negatively impacted during AT XII. STs III to IV are spread over two subsequent weeks to ensure maintenance operations continue within the motor pool while allowing all individuals and elements to fulfill training gate requirements. Finally, concurrent ST V with AT XII provides validation for continuous sustainment support and an integrated certification process for the squadron while preventing hindrance to firing platoons.
This synchronized timeline among elements within FAS ensures the FSB validates technical and tactical proficiency under realistic mission conditions while supporting firing batteries certification/qualification gates.
Observer/Controller Oversight
Possible evaluators at the regimental sustainment squadron level certify battery-level events, while platoon-level leaders manage retraining and retesting. Platoon leaders document certification results in the automated terminal information service and submit formal memoranda to the command team. Platoon-level leadership recertifies perishable skills semi-annually. The certification process is an annual requirement, required upon leadership turnover, or before major collective training and/or deployments.
Conclusion
This FSB certification strategy provides a method for building readiness from individual Soldiers to full battery operations. By embedding STs III to V into the AT XII window, sustainment and maneuver training is synchronized while maximizing realism, efficiency, and operational integration, minimizing the impact of field artillery table progressions. This approach enhances technical and tactical proficiency while also maintaining reliable support for FAS operations under consistent, challenging conditions.
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CPT Steven R. Prater currently serves as the commander of Bulldog Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He previously commanded Forward Support Battery, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He is a prior service field artillery officer and has served in the Army for over 11 years. He has worked in a variety of positions on assignments with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 1/101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He has a Master of Science degree in acquisition and contract management.
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This article was published in the fall 2026 edition of Army Sustainment Professional Bulletin.
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