Army OCS - Call For Fire Essentials

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Questions and Answers

What are the Six Elements of Call for Fire?

Identification

Warning Order

Target Location

All of the above (correct)

What is the first element of Call for Fire?

Identification

What does the Warning Order in Call for Fire indicate?

Type of mission

What are the three methods for target location?

Grid, Polar, Shift from known point Signup and view all the answers

What is the Target Description acronym used in Call for Fire?

SNAP Signup and view all the answers

What does DAT stand for in Method of Engagement?

Danger Close, Ammunition, Trajectory Signup and view all the answers

What is the Standard Method of Target Location?

Grid Signup and view all the answers

What is the Standard Trajectory for Artillery?

Low Angle Signup and view all the answers

Which element of the Call for Fire specifies ammunition?

Method of Engagement Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of direction in Call for Fire?

To orient the Fire Direction Control to the observer's view of the target. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five rules of direction in Call for Fire?

OMG 10 4 (Observer to Target, Mils preferred, Grid Direction, Nearest 10 Mils, 4 digits) Signup and view all the answers

What does FDC need to know before a polar Call for Fire?

Observer's Location Signup and view all the answers

What increments do you send for direction?

Nearest 10 Mils Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of digits sent with a grid mission?

Six digits Signup and view all the answers

When do you announce direction when conducting an adjust fire, grid mission?

With the Message to the Observer (MTO) or prior to the first correction. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four parts of the Message to Observer (MTO)?

Call sign of unit(s) to fire, changes to Call for Fire, number of rounds per tube in FFE, target number. Signup and view all the answers

How is the term SHOT used in artillery communication?

Transmitted by the FDC after each round fired in adjustment and after the initial round in the Fire For Effect phase. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term SPLASH indicate?

It informs the observer when their round is five seconds from detonation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term Rounds Complete signify?

The final round in the fire for effect phase has been fired. Signup and view all the answers

What is Spotting in artillery operations?

The number of mils measured between the target and the impacting round. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Observer Target (OT) Factor used for?

To determine Left/Right deviation correction. Signup and view all the answers

How do you determine the OT factor?

Divide the distance from the observer to the target by 1000, and round to the nearest whole number. Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to determine the deviation correction?

OT Factor x Spotting Signup and view all the answers

When should you not send a deviation correction?

When correction is less than 30 meters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard trajectory for artillery?

Low angle Signup and view all the answers

If the distance to your target is 3200 meters, what is your OT Factor?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimal deviation correction you can send?

30 meters Signup and view all the answers

What is the book reference for Call for Fire?

ATP 3-09.30 (6-30) Signup and view all the answers

What will the first transmission consist of when you initiate a Call for Fire?

Observer Identification and Warning Order Signup and view all the answers

What increments do you send for distance when communicating?

Nearest 100 meters Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate deviation corrections?

OT Factor x Spotting = Deviation Correction Signup and view all the answers

What is Danger Close for mortars and artillery?

600 meters or less Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Six Elements of Call for Fire

Identification: Call sign of the observer and the unit being contacted.
Warning Order: Specifies mission type; includes Adjust Fire, Fire for Effect, Immediate Supp/Smk, and Suppression.
Target Location: Methods include Grid (MGRS), Polar (Direction & Distance), and Shift from a known point.
Target Description: Includes Size/Element, Nomenclature/Nature, Activity, and Protection (acronym: SNAP).
Method of Engagement: Specifies parameters such as Danger Close (600m), ammunition type (High Explosive, Point Detonation), and trajectory (Low/High Angle).
Method of Fire and Control: Includes options like When Ready, At my Command, and Time on Target.

Target Location Methods

Grid Method: Uses a minimum of 6 digits for MGRS; can send up to 10 digits, along with altitude.
Polar Method: Involves specifying direction (nearest 10 mils), distance (nearest 100 meters), and elevation change (noted in increments).

Deviation Correction

Calculated using OT Factor multiplied by spotting (OT x Spotting = Deviation Correction).
The minimum deviation correction that can be sent is 30 meters.

Observer Target (OT) Factor

Determined by dividing the distance from observer to target by 1000; express as a whole number or decimal depending on distance.
Example: For a distance of 2700 meters, the OT Factor is 3.

Transmissions

Message to Observer (MTO) includes: Call sign of unit(s), changes to Call for Fire, number of rounds per tube, and target number.
Terms used: "SHOT" indicates each round fired during adjustment; "SPLASH" informs that a round is five seconds from detonation; "ROUND COMPLETE" signals the end of fire for effect phase.

Polar Missions

Observer must send their location to the Fire Direction Control (FDC) before executing a Polar Call for Fire.
Second transmission should include direction (nearest 10 mils) and distance (nearest 100 meters), alongside changes in elevation if necessary.

Successive Bracketing

A technique used to establish a bracket where one round lands over and another short of the target, especially beneficial for inexperienced observers.

End of Mission

Concludes the call for fire, including refining corrections, recording, and ensuring surveillance of the situation.

Danger Close

For artillery and mortars, Danger Close is defined as 600 meters or less from friendly forces.

Standard Practices

Standard trajectory for artillery is Low Angle.
Standard method of target location in a CFF is Grid, when not specified otherwise.
Always send direction in increments of 10 mils and distance in increments of 100 meters.

Additional Notes

Ensure to correct deviations promptly. If correction is less than 30 meters, it does not require a correction.
In case of polar calls, always specify elevation changes if they exceed 35 meters.
Communication is critical; clarity in each transmission strengthens operational effectiveness.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Test your knowledge of the six essential elements of Call for Fire in the Army Officer Candidate School. This quiz includes flashcards that define each element, helping you understand the core components of effective communication in fire support. Perfect for candidates preparing for OCS.