Overview
Artillery specialists are the muscle behind long range firepower in the modern military. They operate cannons, rockets, and missile systems that support infantry and armored units, destroy enemy positions, and shape the battlefield at distances where rifles cannot reach. In the U.S. Army and Marine Corps these roles are often called field artillery or fire support, with job codes in the Army “13 series” such as cannon crewmember, fire support specialist, and multiple launch rocket system crewmember. Army Writer+1
If you like technical equipment, teamwork, and the idea of delivering decisive effects with precision, artillery offers a challenging and highly professional path.
Is this career a good fit for you? Take the MAPP assessment at Assessment.com to find out how well your motivations match the reality of artillery work.
What Artillery Specialists Actually Do
Artillery units come in several flavors, but most enlisted artillery soldiers and Marines will work in one or more of these areas:
Cannon or howitzer crews
Often called cannon crewmembers (for example Army MOS 13B), these specialists:
- Operate and maintain towed or self propelled howitzers
- Load and fire cannon rounds, including high explosive, smoke, illumination, and precision munitions
- Emplace and displace guns, including digging in, camouflage, and laying the gun on target
- Perform preventative maintenance on vehicles, guns, and support equipment goarmy.com
Rocket and missile crews
In rocket and missile units such as MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System):
- Operate tracked or wheeled launchers
- Load rocket and missile pods using cranes and automated systems
- Receive fire missions digitally and prepare the launcher
- Fire salvos and rapidly displace to avoid counter fire
Fire direction and targeting
Fire control specialists and fire support specialists help make sure rounds land where they should:
- Convert target information into firing data for the guns
- Work with observers, drones, radar, and sensors to identify targets
- Use computers, radios, and plotting boards to calculate safe firing solutions
- Coordinate with higher headquarters so artillery integrates with aviation, infantry, and armor
Radar and counterfire
Some artillery soldiers operate radar systems that:
- Detect incoming enemy rockets and artillery
- Calculate points of origin to support counterfire
- Track friendly rounds and help correct them onto target Army Writer
Common tasks across specialties
No matter the exact role, you can expect to:
- Maintain and inventory weapons, vehicles, and ammunition
- Train on safety, communications, and fieldcraft
- Conduct live fire exercises
- Support humanitarian or deterrence operations where artillery presence matters
You are part of a team that combines mechanical skill, math, and discipline to deliver accurate fires on demand.
Entry Requirements
Exact standards vary by country and branch, but typical U.S. Army or Marine Corps artillery requirements look similar to other combat arms.
Basic eligibility
- Age usually 17 to 34 for enlisted, with parental consent needed at 17
- Citizenship U.S. citizen or permanent resident is common for combat arms
- Education high school diploma or equivalent is strongly preferred
- Physical pass a medical exam and a branch specific fitness test
- Legal and background limited or no serious criminal history and ability to hold at least an interim clearance for some targeting roles
Testing and job assignment
- You will take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). Artillery jobs require minimum line scores in math, mechanical, and general technical areas. The recruiter or counselor matches your scores and preferences with available artillery specialties.
Training pipeline
- Basic training / boot camp
You learn soldier or Marine fundamentals, weapons safety, discipline, and physical fitness. - Artillery advanced training
After basic, you attend a field artillery school for your job. For example, the Army’s cannon crewmember course teaches ammunition handling, howitzer operation, safety procedures, and fire mission drills. goarmy.com
Once you reach your first unit, you continue to train on live fire missions, field exercises, and advanced systems.
Education and Credentials
You can enlist into artillery with a high school diploma. Over time you can add:
- Army or Marine Corps professional military education for promotion to noncommissioned officer ranks
- College courses during service or after, often using tuition assistance
- Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for college or trade school after your enlistment ends Veterans Affairs+2Benefits+2
Artillery experience does not give you a civilian “license” directly, but it builds leadership, logistics, and technical skills that transfer to many fields.
Core Skills and Traits
Successful artillery specialists tend to have:
- Solid math and technical comfort
You do not need to be an engineer, but you must handle basic math, angles, and data entry under pressure. - Attention to safety and procedure
Artillery involves explosives and heavy machinery. Small mistakes can have serious consequences. You must follow checklists exactly. - Physical strength and stamina
Rounds and equipment are heavy. You will load shells, move gear, and work in all weather. - Teamwork and communication
A gun crew or fire direction center is a tight team. Clear communication and mutual trust are essential. - Discipline and patience
Much of the job is long hours of preparation and waiting punctuated by very intense, short bursts of action. - Problem solving
When a misfire, mechanical problem, or data issue occurs, you must quickly troubleshoot and coordinate a fix.
If your MAPP profile shows strong motivation for practical work, teamwork, and clear rules, artillery may align well. If you strongly dislike loud noise, physical work, or precise procedure, it may not feel natural.
Tools and Technology
Artillery is a very equipment heavy field. You may work with:
- Howitzers or cannons
Towed or self propelled guns with digital or manual fire controls. - Rocket and missile launchers
Systems like MLRS with computerized controls and automated loading systems. - Fire control and targeting computers
Devices that calculate firing data based on range, charge, weather, and weapon type. - Radios and digital networks
For receiving fire missions and sending back status and battle damage assessment. - Radar and sensors
Counterbattery radar, weapon locating systems, and in some units small drones for observation. - Vehicles and support equipment
Heavy trucks, tracked vehicles, cranes, generators, and ammunition handling gear.
You will also use standard soldier gear such as body armor, personal weapons, night vision, and protective equipment.
A Day In The Life
Artillery life depends on whether you are in garrison, in the field, or deployed.
In garrison
A typical weekday at a home station might look like:
- 0500–0630 Physical training with your battery or platoon
- 0730–0830 Morning formation, safety briefs, and equipment checks
- 0830–1200 Training block such as fire mission drills on simulators, gunnery classes, radio practice, or maintenance
- 1200–1300 Lunch
- 1300–1600 Vehicle and weapon maintenance, ammunition inventory drills, preparation for upcoming field exercises
- After 1600 Dismissal, though you may have extra tasks during busy periods
Field training
During gunnery and field exercises, the rhythm shifts:
- Emplace and camouflage guns at a firing point
- Conduct fire missions: calculate data, lay the guns, load rounds, fire, and adjust
- Displace to new positions to avoid simulated enemy counterfire
- Sleep in the field and rotate security
- Conduct after action reviews on accuracy, speed, and safety
On deployment
Deployments vary, but artillery units may:
- Provide fire support in active combat zones
- Conduct presence missions where the artillery’s location and capability deter threats
- Support training of partner nation forces
- Perform security tasks if indirect fire support is not needed
Daily life can alternate between long periods of readiness and sudden high tempo fire missions.
Earnings Potential and Benefits
Military pay is standardized by rank and years of service, not by specific job. Artillery specialists are generally enlisted, though some are warrant officers or officers in fire direction and command roles.
As of 2025:
- An entry level enlisted member at paygrade E 1 earns about 2,319 dollars per month in basic pay, or roughly 27,800 dollars per year, before housing and other allowances.
- A more experienced enlisted member at E 6 with over 10 years earns about 4,585 dollars per month, or around 55,000 dollars per year, before allowances. Military.com+1
On top of basic pay, artillery specialists may receive:
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) when not living in the barracks, which can add thousands per month depending on location and dependents Military.com+1
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food
- Special pays if assigned to airborne, hazardous duty, or deployment zones
- Healthcare, retirement, and GI Bill benefits, similar to other active duty members Bureau of Labor Statistics+2Veterans Affairs+2
Officers in artillery, such as field artillery lieutenants and captains, are paid on the officer scale and can earn substantially more over time, with total compensation including allowances and bonuses rising significantly at senior ranks. Business Insider
Growth Stages and Promotional Path
Enlisted artillery path
- Junior artillery crew member (E 1 to E 3)
- Learn basic gunnery, safety, ammunition handling, and fieldcraft
- Operate as a loader, ammo handler, or basic crewman
- Focus on technical proficiency and physical conditioning
- Section member and gunner (E 4 to E 5)
- Serve as assistant gunner or gunner on a piece
- Help lay the weapon, set sights, and verify data
- Begin to mentor new soldiers and handle small leadership tasks
- Section chief and platoon level NCO (E 5 to E 6)
- Lead a gun crew or launcher team
- Ensure safety, accuracy, and maintenance
- Coordinate with fire direction control and higher leadership
- Senior NCO and battery leadership (E 7 to E 9)
- Serve as platoon sergeant, battery first sergeant, or battalion sergeant major
- Oversee training, discipline, and readiness for many soldiers
- Influence gunnery standards and tactical doctrine at unit level
Promotion depends on performance evaluations, time in service, professional military education, and testing. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Officer and warrant officer roles
Artillery officers typically:
- Commission as field artillery officers
- Serve as platoon leaders, then battery commanders
- Move into staff, training, and higher level command jobs over time Army Writer
Warrant officers in some systems specialize in technical areas like targeting, radar, or fire control.
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics treats active duty military careers as a group and notes that demand is driven by national defense needs and budget, not ordinary market dynamics. Bureau of Labor Statistics+1
Key points for artillery specialists:
- Continued need for fire support
Ground forces rely on artillery for deterrence and combat. While specific systems change, the function remains central. - Modernization
New precision rockets, missiles, and digital fire control systems require skilled operators and leaders. - Force structure shifts
Some artillery units may grow or shrink as strategies shift toward near peer competition or regional missions. - Veteran outcomes
Veterans overall have competitive civilian earnings, especially when they use GI Bill benefits for further education. Combat arms experience is often paired with later training in logistics, law enforcement, or technical trades. Bureau of Labor Statistics+1
Artillery does not vanish in peacetime. Units still train, maintain readiness, and support global posture.
Civilian Career Pathways After Artillery
Artillery experience builds transferable skills that can support civilian careers such as:
- Logistics and operations
Planning moves, handling ammunition and supplies, coordinating with transport units. - Heavy equipment and mechanics
Maintaining vehicles, cranes, and complex mechanical systems. - Emergency services and security
Law enforcement, firefighting, and security roles that value discipline and stress tolerance. - Manufacturing and technical roles
Jobs that require adherence to safety standards, technical procedures, and team coordination. - Leadership and supervision
NCO experience can support roles as frontline supervisors or team leaders in many industries.
With additional education through the GI Bill, former artillery specialists often move into engineering tech roles, project management, business, or IT.
Pros and Cons To Consider
Advantages
- Strong team culture and camaraderie
- Technical skills with modern weapons and digital systems
- Clear advancement paths through NCO and officer ranks
- Education and housing benefits during and after service
- Chance to directly support combat and deterrence missions
Challenges
- Physically demanding work with heavy loads and long hours
- Exposure to loud noise and blast effects, requiring strict hearing protection
- Potential deployment to dangerous locations
- Time away from family during training and operations
- Less daily autonomy than most civilian jobs due to military structure
This is not a casual decision. You should weigh the rewards of service and camaraderie against the physical risk and lifestyle demands.
Is Artillery a Good Fit For You?
Artillery is likely to suit you if you:
- Enjoy hands on, mechanical work and do not mind getting dirty
- Are comfortable with loud environments and heavy equipment
- Like being part of a tight crew where everyone has a role
- Can follow detailed safety procedures without cutting corners
- Want a mix of physical challenge and technical systems
Artillery may not be a good fit if you:
- Prefer quiet, solitary, or purely office based work
- Strongly dislike loud noise, heavy lifting, or outdoor conditions
- Have difficulty following strict procedures or chain of command
- Are uncomfortable with weapons and explosives
Still not sure? Take the MAPP assessment at Assessment.com to see how your motivations and preferences line up with artillery duties versus more technical or administrative military roles.
FAQs
Do artillery specialists go into combat?
They can. Artillery units may operate from behind the front line but still within range of enemy fires, and they can be tasked with security or other missions that carry risk.
Is artillery more dangerous than other jobs?
Risk varies by deployment and mission. Artillery involves heavy equipment and explosives, so training safety is critical. In combat zones, artillery units can be targets for enemy rockets, drones, and artillery.
Can I move from artillery into another military job later?
Yes. Reclassification is possible after meeting time in service and performance criteria. Some move into recruiting, drill instructor duty, logistics, or technical specialties.
Is artillery only in the Army?
No. The Marine Corps also has artillery units. Other branches have air defense and missile units with similar technical and targeting work.
Will artillery experience help me get a civilian job?
Yes, especially when combined with further education or certifications. Employers value leadership, reliability, safety awareness, and the ability to operate complex systems.
