Master Gunner
Encyclopedia
Master Gunner is an appointment of Warrant Officer
in the British Army
's Royal Artillery
. Master Gunners are experts in the technical aspects of gunnery
. They fill advisory rather than command posts. The appointment is split into two classes: Master Gunners 2nd and 1st Class are Warrant Officers Class 1. The appointment of Master Gunner should not be confused with that of Master Gunner, St. James's Park
, who is the ceremonial head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
United States Army/United States Marine Corps - Master Gunner, commonly referred to as "Mike Golf," is also an Advanced Skill school of the Armor, Infantry and Artillery branches of the US Army and Armor branch of the USMC. It requires a high degree of skill and test-taking ability, leading to a low graduation rate.
The primary mission of the Army master gunner is to aid and assist commanders at all echelons in the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of all crew-served weapons related training (individual, crew, and collective).
The master gunner's specific duties are directed by the commander. Examples of his duties are:
- Develop or conduct training and certification of vehicle crew evaluators (VCE).
- Assist all elements within the unit concerning gunnery training (IAW FM 3.20-21).
- Forecast all ammunition and ranges for training.
- Manage gunnery records, Gunnery Skills Testing (GST) records, and turbulence rosters.
- Coordinate and control training devices.
- Execute gunnery training.
- Supervise live-fire ranges to ensure all standards are followed; specifically-
- Set up and conduct GST training, and evaluate the results.
- Advise the commander of the tactical capabilities of all weapons and weapon systems.
The master gunner's main responsibilities are listed above, but may change in scope, depending on the level that he is assigned. The master gunner should not be assigned additional duties other than those listed here. Unit gunnery training programs need a great deal of attention to be effective.
MASTER GUNNER DUTIES BY POSITION:
Brigade Master Gunner - Works closely with the master gunners at lower echelons to ensure standards are uniform throughout the training programs. Develops the crew evaluator certification program. Provides any new information on ways to improve training. Helps develop and upgrade range facilities.
Battalion Master Gunner - Ensures continual education of the master gunners in the battalion. Helps the battalion commander and command sergeant major (CSM) select master gunner school candidates. Develops new training techniques to improve crew training. Coordinates with the regiment for training assets. Certifies vehicle crew evaluators (VCE). Certifies range safety personnel.
Company Master Gunner - Coordinates with the battalion S3 to secure company gunnery training assets. Trains crew evaluator. Assists in troubleshooting and maintenance of weapons.
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
. Master Gunners are experts in the technical aspects of gunnery
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
. They fill advisory rather than command posts. The appointment is split into two classes: Master Gunners 2nd and 1st Class are Warrant Officers Class 1. The appointment of Master Gunner should not be confused with that of Master Gunner, St. James's Park
Master Gunner, St. James's Park
The Master Gunner , St James's Park is the ceremonial head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and channel of communication between the Regiment and the Captain General ....
, who is the ceremonial head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
United States Army/United States Marine Corps - Master Gunner, commonly referred to as "Mike Golf," is also an Advanced Skill school of the Armor, Infantry and Artillery branches of the US Army and Armor branch of the USMC. It requires a high degree of skill and test-taking ability, leading to a low graduation rate.
The primary mission of the Army master gunner is to aid and assist commanders at all echelons in the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of all crew-served weapons related training (individual, crew, and collective).
The master gunner's specific duties are directed by the commander. Examples of his duties are:
- Develop or conduct training and certification of vehicle crew evaluators (VCE).
- Assist all elements within the unit concerning gunnery training (IAW FM 3.20-21).
- Forecast all ammunition and ranges for training.
- Manage gunnery records, Gunnery Skills Testing (GST) records, and turbulence rosters.
- Coordinate and control training devices.
- Execute gunnery training.
- Supervise live-fire ranges to ensure all standards are followed; specifically-
- Confirm screening and zero techniques
- Coordinate target arrays, exposure times for all targets, and maneuver box verification
- Set up all ranges to make sure they meet the standards set forth in this manual
- Set up and conduct GST training, and evaluate the results.
- Advise the commander of the tactical capabilities of all weapons and weapon systems.
The master gunner's main responsibilities are listed above, but may change in scope, depending on the level that he is assigned. The master gunner should not be assigned additional duties other than those listed here. Unit gunnery training programs need a great deal of attention to be effective.
MASTER GUNNER DUTIES BY POSITION:
Brigade Master Gunner - Works closely with the master gunners at lower echelons to ensure standards are uniform throughout the training programs. Develops the crew evaluator certification program. Provides any new information on ways to improve training. Helps develop and upgrade range facilities.
Battalion Master Gunner - Ensures continual education of the master gunners in the battalion. Helps the battalion commander and command sergeant major (CSM) select master gunner school candidates. Develops new training techniques to improve crew training. Coordinates with the regiment for training assets. Certifies vehicle crew evaluators (VCE). Certifies range safety personnel.
Company Master Gunner - Coordinates with the battalion S3 to secure company gunnery training assets. Trains crew evaluator. Assists in troubleshooting and maintenance of weapons.