Field Artillery AIT: Inside the Firebase

The purpose of this page is to give you a glimpse into your Soldier’s AIT experience and help you integrate into the Army. We want to help you on your journey of becoming well-informed, resilient Army Families. This webpage only covers AIT. Below is some information of what to expect while your Soldier is in Advanced Individual Training; consider bookmarking this page so you can easily check back for new posts and live videos

13B Cannon Crewmember

Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 78th Field Artillery

13B Class 15-23

Over the past week, your Soldiers completed reception and integration into the unit, initial radio communications training, an initial Army Combat Fitness testing as well as a High Physical Demands Test. These Soldiers are continuing their transition into the Army’s culture of Fitness and Values that is required of all Soldiers.

During week two, your Soldiers have completed their basic ammunitions training that includes proper ammunition handling, identification, and utilization. Your Soldiers learned Fire Mission processing and ammunition tracking. They also began learning the maintenance that is required for their howitzers! For some of them, this is the first time they get to be around a howitzer. Next week starts the real hands on.

Your Soldiers have learned how to maintain and act as a team during basic field operations to include establishing Howitzer Firing Positions on their howitzer systems. They continue to gain confidence in their new teams as they pursue excellence in the fundamentals. Next week they will be working on how to emplace a howitzer quickly and accurately.

After week four, your Soldiers are now confident in their skills on how to operate a howitzer and what each Soldier is responsible for during Howitzer operations. They are now looking forward to next week where they get to put their newfound knowledge and skills to the test that they have learned over the past four weeks.

Over the last week, your Soldiers have occupied actual firing locations and conducted live fire missions with High Explosive, White Phosphorus, and Illumination Rounds to become fully certified and, for the first time, officially call themselves Artillery Crewmembers. Through the highs and lows, they have come together as a team. They are now ready to fight and win the Nations Wars in any environment

During their final week in AIT, your Soldiers have seen the history of Field Artillery, turned in their equipment, and most importantly, graduated! Your Soldiers are now ready to do great things for our nation. Thank you for your tireless dedication and selfless service, Charlie Rock!