What is MOS 13 Foxtrot?

MOS 13F, or "13 Foxtrot," is the U.S. Army's Joint Fire Support Specialist, commonly referred to as a Forward Observer (FO) or "Fister." They operate on the frontline with infantry or cavalry units to identify enemy targets, request, and adjust indirect fire from mortars, artillery, and close air support. They are critical to battlefield intelligence and target acquisition.

What does a 13 foxtrot do?

As a Joint Fire Support Specialist, you'll gather intelligence and enemy target location to help the Army determine where and how to deploy artillery in mission-based situations.

How long is 13 Foxtrot Ait?

Job training for a Joint Fire Support Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and ten weeks and four days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field under simulated combat conditions.

Are 13F JTACs?

Yes, 13F (Forward Observers) can become JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers), especially within Special Operations Forces (SOF) like the 75th Ranger Regiment, but it's rare in conventional Army units; they typically work with Air Force JTACs, with 13Fs focusing on ground fires and JTACs on air support, but JTAC certification allows a 13F to control both air and ground assets, notes Reddit users in r/army and Quora users in Quora. 

Do 13B carry guns?

Employs rifles, machine guns, and grenade and rocket launchers in offensive and defensive operations. Drives and operates heavy and light wheeled trucks and tracked vehicles. Transports and manages artillery ammunition. Participates in reconnaissance operations to include security operations and position preparation.

Learn About MOS 13F: Fire Support Specialist in the National Guard

What is the rarest MOS in the Marine Corps?

The rarest Marine Corps MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) often cited are those with extremely small numbers, like 4133 (MCCS Retail/Services) with under 100 Marines, Ground Sensor Platoon (GSP) (8621) for their covert recon role, and potentially specialized roles like 0847 (Artillery Radar) or 5821 (CID Investigator), which are niche and often unseen, though exact rankings fluctuate with force structure changes. 

What does a 13F MOS do?

A 13F, or Joint Fire Support Specialist, acts as the crucial link between maneuver units (like infantry) and the Field Artillery, finding enemy targets, calling in indirect fire (artillery, mortars, air support), and coordinating devastating fire missions, essentially serving as the "eyes" for artillery to provide precision support on the battlefield. They use communication systems, laser range finders, and mapping skills to pinpoint targets and adjust fire, ensuring artillery hits where needed.
 

What is the most elite Air Force unit?

The most elite Air Force unit is widely considered to be the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24th STS), a Tier 1 unit under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) that provides highly specialized airmen (Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, etc.) for the military's most critical, clandestine missions, acting as enablers for other top-tier forces like Delta Force and SEAL Team Six.
 

What are the 5 levels of force protection?

The 5 levels of Force Protection Conditions (FPCONs) are Normal, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta, a progressive system used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to implement security measures against terrorist threats, with Normal being the baseline and Delta the highest level, dictating stricter measures like increased ID checks and limited access to personnel. These conditions move from deterring general threats (Normal) to defending against specific, occurring attacks (Delta), with each step adding more stringent security measures. 

What is the shortest MOS in the Army?

12B/C is the shortest MOS pipeline in the entire army because it's OSUT, and there's no traveling between units in between BCT/AIT.

Where does 13F go to AIT?

13F AIT | Field Artillery | Fort Sill | Oklahoma | Fires Center of Excellence.

What is considered the worst Army base?

There's no single "worst" Army base, as it's subjective, but Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Fort Irwin, California, are frequently cited due to extreme isolation, harsh training environments (JRTC/NTC), and remote locations with limited amenities, while Fort Hood (Cavazos) faces issues with high crime/assault rates, and Fort Drum is known for severe cold, leading to poor quality-of-life perceptions for many soldiers, notes Military Spouse, YouTube, We Are The Mighty, and Reddit users. Other contenders often mentioned are Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), Fort Bliss, and Fort Drum, depending on climate, local crime, or operational tempo.
 

What Army MOS is most in demand?

High-demand Army MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) often fall into Cyber/IT, Intelligence, Medical, Signal, and Logistics fields, with specific roles like Cyber Operations (17C), Intelligence Analyst (35F), Combat Medic (68W), and Signal Support Systems Specialist (25L) frequently cited, often qualifying for significant bonuses due to critical needs, including skills like language or technical expertise.
 

What does Lima Charlie mean in the military?

In military lingo, "Lima Charlie" means "Loud and Clear," a phonetic alphabet phrase used to confirm a radio transmission is received and understood without distortion, combining "L" (Lima) and "C" (Charlie) from the NATO phonetic alphabet. It's a quick way to say "I hear you, and I understand you perfectly," common in high-stress communication.
 

What is the most feared military unit?

There's no single "most feared" unit, as fear is subjective, but elite special operations forces like the U.S. Delta Force, UK SAS, U.S. Navy SEALs (especially SEAL Team Six), and Israeli Sayeret Matkal are consistently cited for their prowess in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and high-value target elimination, feared for their secrecy, lethality, and success in "black ops". Other highly regarded units include Russia's Spetsnaz and the legendary Gurkhas, known for ferocity and unique skills.
 

What is the hardest rank to get in the Air Force?

The hardest ranks to make in the Air Force are generally considered the top enlisted tiers, particularly Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt - E-9) and Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt - E-8), due to extremely limited slots and intense competition from highly experienced leaders, though some find the jump to Technical Sergeant (TSgt - E-6) challenging as it marks the first competitive promotion requiring significant leadership and technical mastery. Chief Master Sergeant is the apex, with only about 1% of enlisted members reaching it, while Senior Master Sergeant is often cited as the most difficult enlisted promotion to achieve in some years. 

What Air Force jobs carry guns?

Because of the extensive training they must undergo, Defenders are the only Airmen certified to carry weapons on base and are experts in operating them in order to respond to a wide variety of scenarios.

Is Army 13F a combat job?

Yes, an Army 13F (Joint Fire Support Specialist) is considered a combat-related job, as they operate on the front lines with infantry or armor units, calling in artillery, air support, and mortar fire to destroy enemy targets, making them integral to direct combat operations. They are forward observers, acting as the eyes and ears to direct devastating firepower onto targets in real-time. 

Which MOS see combat?

03 – Infantry

This occupational field includes ground forces who are trained to locate and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or repel their assault by fire and close combat.

What is MOS 13 Bravo?

Cannon Crewmember 13B. As a Cannon Crewmember, you'll play a vital role in helping the Army win during missions. You'll work with Howitzers, some of the most technologically advanced weapons systems ever created, to support infantry and tank units.

Why is 1.9 Marines called the Walking Dead?

The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9) were called "The Walking Dead" due to their extraordinarily high casualty rates and sustained combat in Vietnam, earning the highest Killed in Action (KIA) rate in Marine Corps history, with the name sometimes attributed to enemies promising to destroy them and later adopted by the unit itself as a badge of honor. 

What is the rule of 3 in the Marines?

The Marine Corps' "Rule of Three" is a principle for organizing units and simplifying decision-making, meaning smaller units (like fire teams, squads, platoons) typically comprise three of the next smaller unit, creating a consistent structure, and leaders focus on managing three key tasks or concepts to avoid being overwhelmed in high-stress situations, enhancing clarity and reaction time. This structure allows for decentralized command and effective maneuver warfare by limiting focus to essential elements, such as three primary objectives or courses of action. 

What is the shortest MOS school in the Marine Corps?

The shortest USMC MOS schools can be as brief as 2-3 weeks, with roles like Supply/Warehousing (3052) or Admin (0931/0933) sometimes cited for very short durations, though specifics vary and often include background training like MCT (29 days for non-Infantry) or ITB (52 days for Infantry) before the actual MOS training, with some Reddit users mentioning Finance/Law (0931/0933) or specific supply roles as potentially just a couple of weeks long.