Another bit of Gunner Zen

Argghhh!
I posted that artillery video over on Facebook, with pretty much identical commentary.  Dave Lange observed (in response to my tent comments):
Dave Lange: Wonder how much of that is lack of experience/training with firing positions that aren't on FOBs? I'd bet their E-7s, and certainly their E-6s, all joined up after 9/11.

Dave Lange And the battery commander is probably class of '05 or '06, and the PL class of '11, maybe.

Which caused me to opine:
John Donovan And their battalion commander didn't spend much time with guns, either. Because... nobody does. They were light infantry though.
Apropos  those comments on my gunbunny video below - the kind of artilleryman referred to in the photo below simply no.longer.exists. That's not good or bad per se, it is a reflection on the current state of war in the world. In case it's not readable - that is the base of the cartridge of the last round fired in Vietnam by the 6th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, while under the Auld Soldier's command.

The top plate reads
"Last of 351,492
fired by 6 BN 15 FA
under your command."

The bottom plate reads

"4th Sec C Btry
Loc Ninh RVN
14 SEP 69"

The pic embiggens.


Read the complete post at http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2013/03/another_bit_of.html


Posted Mar 24 2013, 08:33 AM by Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..