Artillery and Missile Crew Members
Background
The military uses artillery and missiles to protect infantry and tank units, as well as to secure and protect land and sea positions from enemy attack. The personnel who operate these systems usually specialize by type of weapon system such as cannons, howitzers, missiles, or rockets. Artillery and missile crew members position, direct, and fire these weapons to destroy enemy positions and aircraft.
What They Do
Artillery and missile crew members in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Clean and maintain weapons
- Fire artillery and missile systems at enemy targets
- Operate computerized equipment to determine target locations
- Prepare ammunition for firing
- Set up and load weapons
Physical Demands
Artillery and missile crew members must have physical stamina to perform strenuous activities for long periods without rest. They are also required to have normal color vision to identify color-coded ammunition and to read maps and charts.
Special Requirements
Some specialties in this area are closed to women.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to think and remain calm in stressful situations
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Interest in cannon and rocket operations
- Willingness to face danger
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Artillery and missile crew members work outdoors when on land maneuvers. Some work in sheltered fire control stations. At sea, they mainly work below deck.
Services offering this career:
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of ten to 14 weeks of classroom instruction and field training under simulated combat conditions. Training length varies depending upon specialty.
Course content typically includes:
- Ammunition-handling techniques
- Artillery tactics
- Gun, missile, and rocket system operations
- Methods of computing target locations
Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.
Civilian Counterparts
Although the job of artillery and missile crew member has no equivalent in civilian life, the close teamwork, discipline, and leadership experiences it provides are helpful in many civilian jobs.
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 38,000 artillery crew members. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year, the services need new crew members due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, new crew members work as part of an artillery or missile team. Leadership ability and job performance are the most important factors for advancement in this field. Those with leadership potential may assume supervisory positions. In time, they may lead artillery or missile crews.