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OVERVIEW

Your contribution to defence operations is indirect fire delivered in support of the arms that close with and destroy the enemy.

WHAT THEY DO

Field Artillery Soldiers are members of Field Artillery units of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Like Armoured, Infantry, Air Defence Artillery and Combat Engineer units, Field Artillery units are part of the Combat Arms team that actually engages the enemy. The Field Artillery's contribution is indirect fire delivered in support of the arms that close with and destroy the enemy.

Field Artillery Soldiers — normally called "Field Gunners" — have the following primary duties:

Position, load, aim, fire and maintain field guns, including the LG1 wheeled, 105-mm howitzers, and the M109 self-propelled 155-mm howitzer;

Handle, sort and store artillery ammunition;

Establish line communications using field telephones and sophisticated radio equipment;

Use and maintain personal weapons and section-level weapons up to and including machine-guns and anti-tank weapons;

Drive and maintain various wheeled and tracked vehicles;

Operate technically advanced command post computers, laser range-finders and fire-control computers;

Operate and maintain survey and locating equipment

Provide fire-support advice to the Infantry and Armour; and

When necessary, fight as an infantry (includes use of personal weapons, reconnaissance and section level tactics).

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Field Gunners must be physically fit and able to function well under pressure and as part of a team. They must also be courageous, self-reliant, adaptable and possessed of good learning skills. Mathematical ability and a keen interest in technology are highly desirable.

TRAINING

Basic Military Qualification

The first stage of training for everyone is the 13-week Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. It is also physically demanding. A primary goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits attain the CF physical fitness standard. BMQ covers the following topics:

policies and regulations of the Canadian Forces;

CF drill, dress and deportment (the “three Ds”);

basic safety;

first aid;

personal survival in nuclear, biological and chemical conditions;

handling and firing personal weapons;

cross-country navigation; and

personal survival in field conditions.

Soldier Qualification

On successful completion of BMQ, Field Gunners go to a Military Training Centre for the Soldier Qualification (SQ) course, which lasts 20 training days and covers the following material:

Army physical fitness;

dismounted offensive and defensive operations;

reconnaissance patrolling;

advanced weapons-handling (working with grenades, machine-guns and anti-tank weapons); and

individual field-craft.

Basic Military Occupational Training

On completion of SQ, Field Gunners attend Basic Military Occupational (MOC) Training at the Royal Canadian Artillery School in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Basic MOC Training takes about five weeks and covers the following topics:

Recognizing, sorting and handling the various types of artillery ammunition;

Gun-position duties;

Gun drills for the 105-mm howitzer (both the C1 and L5 variants) and the M109 self-propelled 155-mm howitzer;

Map-reading;

Maintenance of guns and vehicles;

Camouflage of guns and vehicles

Field communications, including use of radios and field telephones; and

Basic survival, including: use of personal weapons, unarmed combat, and recognition of minefields and booby-traps.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Qualified Field Gunners enjoy excellent opportunities for advanced training and promotion. Employment opportunities for Field Gunners exist across Canada and on deployed operations around the world.

INITIAL EMPLOYMENT

On completion of basic MOC training, Field Gunners are normally posted to one of the following units:

1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, at Shilo, Manitoba;

2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, at Petawawa, Ontario;

5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada at Valcartier, Quebec; or

The Royal Canadian Artillery School at Gagetown, New Brunswick.

SPECIALTY TRAINING

As their careers progress, Field Gunners who demonstrate the required ability and ambition will be offered (through formal courses or on-job training) the following advanced MOC training:

Leadership Training

Detachment Commander's Course

Instructor training

The following specialty training courses may also be available:

Artillery Technician

Driver – (vehicles such as the LAV III Command Post Vehicle)

Basic and Advanced Artillery Surveyor

Basic Artillery Sound-Ranging Technician

Artillery Intelligence Technician

Basic and Advanced Artillery Radar Operator

Unarmed Combat Instructor

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Field Gunners normally work outdoors, where they may be exposed to extreme environmental and climatic conditions for extended periods without rest or shelter. Both in training and on operations, they are frequently subjected to loud noises, and considerable physical and mental exertion is required of them. Like other CF personnel, Field Gunners may be required to live in cramped quarters when deployed on operations. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Field Gunners' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.

RELATED CIVILIAN OCCUPATIONS

Field Artillery is a uniquely military occupation that has no corresponding civilian occupation. The training and experience skilled Field Gunners obtain is relevant to such civilian jobs as:

Surveyor;

Computer operator;

Driver; and

Junior manager.