Question for current and recent Marines....

[ironglow]

My grandson, now nearing the end of his initial training regimen, has his assignment orders...for Camp LeJeune..
 
  He will probably be deployed to Iraq late summer.
 
   Since I was Army, and many years now removed, I have an elementary question.

    Josh is being assigned to a battalion that has the companies listed as "batterys"...does this still mean that this battalion is assuredly an artillery unit?

   If it is artillery; is it almost sure to be self propelled artillery?

 What other variations are there in a typical artillery battery?

   Probably my inquiry sounds a bit simple....but I have seen many changes that have occured to the military since I was in.

   Any enlightenment you can offer, without compromising important information, will be appreciated...

[Rscout6945]

I was in the Marines from 92-96.  I'll try to see if I can help you out.

When he signed up he was told he would like get a specific job or MOS (military occupational speciality) before he left for boot camp.  That would be a good first place to start.  If something has changed like injury or holdback or something to your grandson then his MOS may have changed.

When basic is over he should get to come home for 10-14 days, but who knows with the way things are now.

After basic every Marine went to basic infantry training but this might have changed as I heard that they added this to boot camp already.

Next he will have to go to his MOS training.  If he is to be a CannonCocker then he will probably go to Ft. Sill.  I believe that is where all Marines in Arty get trained.  As far as I know, the Marines don't have very much self-propelled artillery so he will probably end up with the towed 105mm or 155mm type or an MLRS (rocket launcher).  If he gets a choice I would take the MLRS in a heartbeat!

Now other types of training happens at other bases.  He will know for sure when he comes home what he will be doing and where he is going.

If you have more questions just post them and I will try to answer the best I can.  Hope he likes it as much as I did.

[Double D]

I go back even further to 66-72.  The Hawk Missle guys were in Battery's also.

[ironglow]

Thanks Guys;
   Since he is in training now for MOS# 2111 (small arms repair, armorer), I presume he will go to one of the type arty units you describe.
  Do the Marines have an armorer at co. (or battery) level....or it it one each per battalion?