Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

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rtr1992
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Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by rtr1992 »

Hello Rangers,

My name is Ray and I am currently thinking about enlisting with an Option 40 contract. I am currently studying for the ASVAB (it's amazing how you forget things) and getting my PT scores up. I have been doing plenty of research on a couple of different MOS' and I am specifically curious about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

I have searched through the Benning website, emailed the contact info on the website, searched the web, and talked to a couple of recruiters. However, I still have not gotten thorough answers to my questions and I was hoping if I could please get some input from the 13f's who have been in the Ranger Regiment.

1. What is the difference between a 13f in the Ranger Regiment and a 13f in the regular Army? I have read that they are different on a couple of different forums, is that true?

2. What does your day to day look like as a 13f on deployment?

3. How often do you find yourself in a firefight?

4. I have read that they are attached to the infantry. Other places have said that they aren't attached to the infantry. Which is true in the Ranger Regiment?

5. How dangerous is the job? This is something that my wife very much would like to know. I want to be honest with her.

6. What kind of mathematical skills does a 13f constantly use? I want to make sure that I am learning this now should I decide to go this route.


Thank you Rangers for your wisdom and you input. Thank you especially for picking up the sword to protect our country and our way of living.

Cheers,

Ray
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Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by centermass »

rtr1992 wrote:5. How dangerous is the job? This is something that my wife very much would like to know. I want to be honest with her.
Dear Ray,

Before anyone else goes down the list and responds, I will respond with this. If your wife is worried about how "Dangerous" anything is within the Ranger Regiment, anything is dangerous. Especially training for war within the Regiment, whatever your job description.

What offsets it, is the level of training and seasoned professionals, along with their expertise at being the finest in the world, at what they do.

If her concerns carry weight as to "Should you" or "Would you", find another profession.
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Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by Disinfertention »

Hello Ray, appreciate you coming here to ask questions. Remember our Search feature is your friend. I will do my best to shoot opinions and facts into your questions. If one is vary far from the other I hope to highlight that...
rtr1992 wrote:Hello Rangers,
1. What is the difference between a 13f in the Ranger Regiment and a 13f in the regular Army? I have read that they are different on a couple of different forums, is that true?

<strong>13F in Regiment is NOT a 13F is the Army. Our opportunities and career development is no where near what you do in the Army. Ask some of our infantry friends if their life is the same. It is not. Much is expected and much is gained in Regiment. Our best qualified FOs are kicked out and become great leaders in the Army. I'm not fucking kidding as trumped up as it sounds... PM if you need proof.</strong>

2. What does your day to day look like as a 13f on deployment?
<strong>Deployment is relative to the needs of the Regiment. Your job does not change. Provide conventional and SOF fire support. </strong>

3. How often do you find yourself in a firefight?
<strong>You are with the infantry. If the infantry is shooting, you should have already destroyed the threat or have a plan to kill them. Depending on the Rules of Engagement. This is a PM question to talk more on.</strong>

4. I have read that they are attached to the infantry. Other places have said that they aren't attached to the infantry. Which is true in the Ranger Regiment?
<strong>You will be in a Line Company - Rifle Company, aka attached to the infantry. Yes we do it different, no it doesn't make you a door kicker.</strong>

5. How dangerous is the job? This is something that my wife very much would like to know. I want to be honest with her.
<strong>Danger is relative. It's never dangerous until it is. I challenge you to research which 13F's have died in combat. I know two very personally from Regiment. Find them and you tell me who they are.</strong>

6. What kind of mathematical skills does a 13f constantly use? I want to make sure that I am learning this now should I decide to go this route.
<strong>Addition... subtraction.. multiplication... common sense is more dangerous than our math tools in Regiment.</strong>

Thank you Rangers for your wisdom and you input. Thank you especially for picking up the sword to protect our country and our way of living.

Cheers,

Ray
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rtr1992
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Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by rtr1992 »

centermass wrote:
rtr1992 wrote:5. How dangerous is the job? This is something that my wife very much would like to know. I want to be honest with her.
Dear Ray,

Before anyone else goes down the list and responds, I will respond with this. If your wife is worried about how "Dangerous" anything is within the Ranger Regiment, anything is dangerous. Especially training for war within the Regiment, whatever your job description.

What offsets is the level of training and seasoned professionals, along with their expertise at being the finest in the world, at what they do.

If her concerns carry weight as to "Should you" or "Would you", find another profession.

No it is a matter of being transparent with her. Thank you for your wisdom. I appreciate it deeply.
rtr1992
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Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by rtr1992 »

Disinfertention wrote:Hello Ray, appreciate you coming here to ask questions. Remember our Search feature is your friend. I will do my best to shoot opinions and facts into your questions. If one is vary far from the other I hope to highlight that...
rtr1992 wrote:Hello Rangers,
1. What is the difference between a 13f in the Ranger Regiment and a 13f in the regular Army? I have read that they are different on a couple of different forums, is that true?

<strong>13F in Regiment is NOT a 13F is the Army. Our opportunities and career development is no where near what you do in the Army. Ask some of our infantry friends if their life is the same. It is not. Much is expected and much is gained in Regiment. Our best qualified FOs are kicked out and become great leaders in the Army. I'm not fucking kidding as trumped up as it sounds... PM if you need proof.</strong>

2. What does your day to day look like as a 13f on deployment?
<strong>Deployment is relative to the needs of the Regiment. Your job does not change. Provide conventional and SOF fire support. </strong>

3. How often do you find yourself in a firefight?
<strong>You are with the infantry. If the infantry is shooting, you should have already destroyed the threat or have a plan to kill them. Depending on the Rules of Engagement. This is a PM question to talk more on.</strong>

4. I have read that they are attached to the infantry. Other places have said that they aren't attached to the infantry. Which is true in the Ranger Regiment?
<strong>You will be in a Line Company - Rifle Company, aka attached to the infantry. Yes we do it different, no it doesn't make you a door kicker.</strong>

5. How dangerous is the job? This is something that my wife very much would like to know. I want to be honest with her.
<strong>Danger is relative. It's never dangerous until it is. I challenge you to research which 13F's have died in combat. I know two very personally from Regiment. Find them and you tell me who they are.</strong>

6. What kind of mathematical skills does a 13f constantly use? I want to make sure that I am learning this now should I decide to go this route.
<strong>Addition... subtraction.. multiplication... common sense is more dangerous than our math tools in Regiment.</strong>

Thank you Rangers for your wisdom and you input. Thank you especially for picking up the sword to protect our country and our way of living.

Cheers,

Ray

Thank you very much for answering my questions. They have been very beneficial in helping me understand. This leads me to another question.

What do I need to do, what I do I need to practice now in order to be a good FO if I make it to Ranger Regiment?
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Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by Jim »

rtr1992 wrote: What do I need to do, what I do I need to practice now in order to be a good FO if I make it to Ranger Regiment?
Well, you could start by googling the tasks that are required for MOS 13F.
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Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by Disinfertention »

The best thing anyone can do is simply be a bit physically fit before going to OSUT or Basic/AIT. The Army can take a puddle of goo and make them into whatever they need. When I went to OSUT I do not believe anyone in my class had any level of knowledge about how to be a FO other than the job description. Trust the process a bit...

If you really want to do some reading/prep/study go read ATP 3-09.3 Observed Fire, FM 3-09.32 JFIRE, and if you're feeling really frisky check out JP 3-09.3 Close Air Support. Go in that order... you need to know ATP 3-09.3 before anything else.

Follow Ranger Jim's advice and pay attention to his phrasing... While he is prepping you for success by leading you I'm spoon feeding you stuff (only because I love my job and anyone who wants to read that crap...more power to 'em) :lol:

Good luck.
USASOC 2015-2023
HHC 2/75 2012-2015
HHC & Cco 1/75 2010-2012
OCS Cadre 2007-2010
Cco 3/75 2003-2007
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rtr1992
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Joined: March 15th, 2017, 2:04 pm

Re: Questions about 13f Fire Support Specialist.

Post by rtr1992 »

Disinfertention wrote:The best thing anyone can do is simply be a bit physically fit before going to OSUT or Basic/AIT. The Army can take a puddle of goo and make them into whatever they need. When I went to OSUT I do not believe anyone in my class had any level of knowledge about how to be a FO other than the job description. Trust the process a bit...

If you really want to do some reading/prep/study go read ATP 3-09.3 Observed Fire, FM 3-09.32 JFIRE, and if you're feeling really frisky check out JP 3-09.3 Close Air Support. Go in that order... you need to know ATP 3-09.3 before anything else.

Follow Ranger Jim's advice and pay attention to his phrasing... While he is prepping you for success by leading you I'm spoon feeding you stuff (only because I love my job and anyone who wants to read that crap...more power to 'em) :lol:

Good luck.

Thank you very much!
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