For cadets who are posted to artillery after service term, they
would go to School of Artillery which is at Khatib Camp. Khatib
Camp houses several other units which includes 23SA, 24SA, PT AND
SPORTS, etc...
For artillery, we do not call a platoon a platoon. We call it a
battery.
For artillery, it is further sub-divided into 2 fields. Liaison and
FA. Liaison basically are ppl who normally are with the infantry
battalions, providing advices on Fire Support Issues. FA which also
stands for Field Artillery basically are ppl that provide the fire,
which is also the artillery battalions.
For cadets going thru artillery training, there are basically 3
phases that you have to go through. The basic phase, weapons phase
and the specialized phase. For basic phase, the most basic
knowledge of the artillery would be imparted to you. Things ranging
from using forms for computation of data to using the GB6 director
to obtain readings for laying of the guns.
As an artillery officer, you would need to have the basics of
knowing parts and the operating specs of the Field Howitzers. In
artillery, we have the FH88 which is capable of a distance of 30km
with an ER round, the FH2000 which is capable of a distance of 40km
with an ER round and the newly comissioned "Primus" which is a self
propelled howitzer.
Lastly is the specialized phase where you would be streamed to
Liaison, FA and radar. For liaison, you would be taught on map
reading, fire support matters and specialised equipment handling,
You would come out as qualified FOs or known as Forward Observers.
There are several exercises for the liaison phase but the major one
would be Ex Firestrike where cadets undertake appointments and
start to plan for the fires to support the manouevre counterparts.
For FA, cadets undergo training to further specialise their
knowledge in the FA battalions; the hierachy and structure, to
further hone their skills in the equipment used and to practice
survey and the laying of the guns. The one major exercise would be
EX Thunderstorm, where cadets take up various appointments, which
includes BC (Battery Commander), BSM (Battery Sergeant Major), BRO
(Battery Recce Officer) and GPO (Gun Positioning Officer). the
other HQ appointment holders are FDO (Fire Direction Officer) and
BNRO (Battalion Recce Officer). For those going to radar, sorry
cant say much. its classified. I came from Liaison by the
way.
After which, everyone would come together again and move off to
either Starlight or Crescendo to do your live firing and then when
you come back. Prepared to get comissioned!
