United States Marine Corps HIMARS?
Just a couple questions... 1. Can you get HIMARS in your enlistment papers, or do you have to go in as field artillery and get chosen? 2. Is it true that people in artillery are being used as infantry because of the lack of a need for it? Thanks.
1. You sign up for 0800 MOS (artillery). Once you get to artillery school at Ft Sill (Marines and Army train together), the Marine Corps will determine where you are needed. You can request HIMARS, but that doesn't mean you will be assigned to HIMARS. 2. No, artillery is not being used as infantry. Artillery units are and have always been in a support role of infantry and are not trained as infantry. In all cases, including MEUs, there are artillery battalions in support of infantry Regiments and battalions. That support is on call from the Joint Tactical Operations Center (JTOC) or the Marine Tactical Command Center (MTCC) if not part of a joint force. The supporting artillery must always be ready to provide fires as necessary if called upon. That means no running around the countryside playing John Wayne. Lieutenant Colonel, U S Marine Corps-Retired