U.S. Army Field Artillery School

U.S. Army Field Artillery School
Unit name	U.S. Army Field Artillery School
Dates	1918–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	School
Role	Training and doctrine development for field artillery
Garrison	Fort Sill

U.S. Army Field Artillery School

The U.S. Army Field Artillery School is the United States Army center for training, developing doctrine, and certifying leaders for U.S. Army, United States Department of Defense, NATO partner fires integration, and joint fires coordination with services such as the United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, United States Navy, and multinational partners like the British Army, Canadian Army, Australian Army, and German Army. Established during the aftermath of World War I, the School has influenced artillery employment in conflicts from the World War II campaigns in North Africa and Normandy through the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War (2003–2011), and operations in Afghanistan (2001–2021). It collaborates with institutions such as the United States Army War College, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Joint Staff on doctrine and wargaming.

History

The School traces its roots to artillery education initiatives at Fort Sill after World War I amid reforms influenced by leaders like John J. Pershing, Adna R. Chaffee Jr., and doctrine writers tied to Armored Force (United States). During World War II, Field Artillery techniques were revised in response to lessons from the North African Campaign, Battle of El Alamein, and Operation Overlord, with personnel exchanges involving the Royal Artillery and planners from the War Department. Cold War exigencies and crises such as the Berlin Crisis of 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis accelerated modernization, leading to integration of observations from the Korean War and Vietnam War into School curricula. Post–Cold War operations in Operation Desert Storm and stability missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo further shaped doctrine, with influence from commanders associated with the XVIII Airborne Corps, III Armored Corps, and the 1st Cavalry Division.

Mission and Organization

The School’s mission aligns with force development priorities set by the Secretary of the Army, TRADOC (United States Army Training and Doctrine Command), and the Chief of Staff of the Army. The organization includes resident and non‑resident training elements reporting through commands such as the United States Army Fires Center of Excellence and liaison relationships with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Army Futures Command, and the Joint Staff J7. Functional directorates manage leader development, doctrine authoring for publications like Field Manual 3-09, and integration with systems from vendors like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and BAE Systems. The School supports units including the 75th Field Artillery Brigade and integrates with career fields such as Officer Candidate School (United States Army) graduates, warrant officer pipelines, and NCO professional development under Sergeant Major of the Army guidance.

Training and Courses

Courses encompass basic soldiering for artillery specialists, the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course, the Advanced Leader Course, and the Red Diamond-branded resident instruction for battery and battalion commanders drawn from formations like the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 4th Infantry Division, and 82nd Airborne Division. Training emphasizes combined arms fires, joint targeting with the United States Air Force, and integration with intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency and geospatial support from the National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency. Wargaming and simulation use platforms co-developed with Raytheon Technologies and the Software Engineering Center to rehearse scenarios such as counterinsurgency in Iraq and force-on-force against near-peer competitors exemplified by Russia and People's Republic of China doctrine. Senior-level education collaborates with the National Defense University and the School of Advanced Military Studies for operational art and campaign-level fires.

Equipment and Doctrine

The School instructs on systems including the M777 howitzer, M109 Paladin, M142 HIMARS, and integration with precision munitions such as the Excalibur (precision-guided artillery projectile), along with targeting systems like the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar and the HIMARS Command Launch Unit. Doctrine development incorporates allied practices from the NATO Standardization Office and publications related to joint fires coordination, counterbattery procedures, and fire support coordination measures used by formations like the I Marine Expeditionary Force and British Expeditionary Force. The School evaluates materiel modernization efforts coordinated with Army Futures Command and program offices such as Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support and tests concepts at ranges formerly used in programs like Operation Desert Fox and multinational exercises such as Saber Strike and Exercise Combined Resolve.

Notable Alumni and Units

Alumni include prominent artillery officers and commanders who served in formations like the 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and corps-level commands such as the III Corps and the XV Corps. Graduates went on to high office in roles associated with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, theater commands in United States Central Command, and advisory positions within the NATO Allied Command Transformation. Units with storied artillery lineage trained at the School include the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, and the 27th Field Artillery Regiment, with decorated service members who received awards such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star for actions in engagements like the Battle of the Bulge and the Tet Offensive.

Facilities and Location

Located primarily at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, the School occupies ranges and maneuver areas supporting live-fire and simulation, adjacent to institutions such as the United States Army Artillery Museum and research partnerships with Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. Training ranges include the Fort Sill Range Complex, and support installations tie into regional infrastructure including Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport and municipal partners in Lawton, Oklahoma. The School hosts multinational exercises and conferences drawing delegations from France, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and NATO allies to exercise fires interoperability and doctrine exchange.

Category:United States Army schools Category:Field artillery