FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Forward observers, commonly known as fisters, within the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, proved their capabilities on Fort Bragg as they executed Fister Certification as in preparation for deployment.

Forward observers are artillery soldiers who work in maneuver elements, directing fire support assets like artillery and aircraft. The observer tells the assets where friendly and enemy troops are at, making sure friendly munitions hit enemy, and only enemy, targets. The tests to certify a “fister” ready to assume these duties are rigorous.

“They’re tested on calls for fire, close combat air calls for fire, mortar and artillery registration, hands-on equipment tests, land navigation, physical fitness test, 12-mile road march, and vehicle identification, both enemy and friendly,” said Staff Sgt. Jerame W. McIvor, a forward observer with the 4th BCT Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

As the test determines a fisters ability to perform in combat, the tests are given to the soldiers, sergeants and officers.

“We certify skill levels one to three,” said McIvor, “Level four is done through brigade and division. We also assess the company fire support officer.”

Some of the fisters going through the training agree that the test reinforces and tests on the important tasks fisters will have to execute.

“It’s a good refresher, there are skills we’ll lose over time,” said Spc. Michael K. Raymond, a forward observer with A company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. “These are skills we don’t get to use much when we go to the field.”

The skills are tested through a variety of methods.

“We use a 50-question written test, land navigation day and night, a 12-mile road march within three hours, and both virtual and live calls for fire,” said McIvor.

Throughout the tests, knowledge hasn’t been the stumbling stone for many of the young fisters.

“Confidence has been a big issue,” said McIvor. “We’re talking with leaders to ensure these guys have the knowledge before they come, good training causes good confidence.”

The area most basic to the forward observer is the call for fire, and students embraced the benefit from the training.

“The call for fire was well-done and is a good measure of an observer,” said Raymond. “It covers all the fire missions and is more combat oriented now."

The confidence boosts continues up the ranks as leaders can count on fisters having the most up-to-date information and skills.

“My goal for the training is 100 percent certification so we can deploy as a prepared force,” said McIvor.