“Can Do” Battalion Fire Support Teams Train for NTC
By Spc. Jordyn Worshek
Fort Stewart, Ga.- Bradley Fire Support Teams assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, began training to certify as Fire Support Team Soldiers on Feb. 28, 2019, at Fort Stewart, Ga.
To certify, they use the Call for Fire Trainer, and the Virtual Battlespace Simulator 3. Both are simulators used to train fire support teams, or FiSTers, before live firing. The evaluators from 3-15 IN train and certify first, then the evaluators train the rest of the fire support team Soldiers.
The first step to certify is individual training on the technical skills required to fire safely and accurately. Artillery Table I includes a position specific written test and a hands-on Artillery Skills Proficiency Test administered under the supervision of the Battalion Master Gunner/Digital Master Gunner/Fire Support Master Gunner.
“A couple months prior to certifying, we train to call for fire and study general fister knowledge,” said Pfc. Brady Misencik, a fire support team Soldier assigned to 3-15 IN. “We study joint fire observation, munitions platforms, basic call for fire and radio etiquette.”
After individual FiST Soldiers are well versed in general knowledge and tasks, they move to the virtual simulators. To be able to certify, there are different skill level tests a Soldier must complete. Skill level one Soldiers are tested on 12 simulations, skill level two Soldiers require 18 to certify, and 20 are required for advanced level Soldiers.
“The simulations use populated targets to test Soldiers on their ability to accurately call for fire in a grid location,” said Sgt. Casey Martin, an evaluator for 3-15 IN. “After each Soldier passes their skill level tests, they are certified as a team and operate as a crew on the BFiST, just like any infantry crew.”
Once all Soldiers and senior leaders on the fire support team are certified, they are considered certified as a company. Fire support team senior leaders then come together to create a plan for the battalion call for fire plan.
“After certifying on the simulators, all the leadership will come together as a company to plan for a call for fire event,” said 2nd Lt. Johanna Forbes, a fire support officer assigned to 3-15 IN. “At this point the company are all certified as fire support teams and crews and are ready for any mission, and will be able to execute.”
Spartan Brigades BFIST teams are certified through execution of simulated training, Spartan Focus and the brigades rotation at the National training Center in May 2019. This qualifies each Battalions’ BFiST team to support the Spartan Brigade while forward deployed.