Response to: "is it time for the ADA and FA to merge?".The article by our Assistant Commandant (AC), Colonel (Promotable) Mark McDonald, in this edition is certainly most interesting and thought-provoking--and may well indeed foretell fore·tell tr.v. fore·told , fore·tell·ing, fore·tells To tell of or indicate beforehand; predict. fore·tell the future. But I believe there is a fallacy underlying the potential Army-wide theme of consolidating branches. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The assumption made in this consolidation process is that, institutionally, we can train and educate officers to become proficient and multi-faceted in fairly technical and complex skill sets. These skill sets are those in the Field Artillery, Air Defense Artillery Weapons and equipment for actively combating air targets from the ground. Also called ADA. and effects coordination/integration. However, institutional training and education are only a part and, although vitally important, a small part of the development process. Service in the operating forces Those forces whose primary missions are to participate in combat and the integral supporting elements thereof. See also combat forces; combat service support element; combat support elements. , learning and honing those skills within each separate but vital MOS (1) (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) See MOSFET. (2) (Mean Opinion Score) The quality of a digitized voice line. It is a subjective measurement that is derived entirely by people listening to the calls and scoring the results from [military occupational specialty A Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a job classification in use in the United States Army and Marine Corps. The occupational specialty system uses a system of letters and numbers to identify general and specific jobs of military personnel. ], is what separates the professional from the amateur. The fallacy in this potential consolidation proposition is that officers do not spend enough time in the operating forces to perfect such skills sets. During the course of a military career, if all an officer did was serve in the operating forces perfecting his warfighting skills, then maybe he could become the multifaceted officer articulated in the AC's article. However, reality is that officers spend far too little time in the operating forces perfecting those skills, making it difficult, if not impossible, to become experts in their trades. To add the skill set of another technical MOS, such as ADA Ada, city, United States Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area. , into the FA "kit bag," given the realities of the myriad of assignments FA officers will fill during their careers, is simply not feasible. Synergy within a combat command is realized when true experts come together from various skill sets (maneuver, fires, aviation, Air Defense, service support, etc.) and bring their expertise to support the one fight. This formula for success has passed the test in our most recent combat experiences. We probably should take a critical look at the rationale for splitting the FA and ADA back in 1968 before we embrace consolidating the branches. I'd bet some of the rationale for the split remains valid today. Col James A. (Al) Pace, USMC Commanding Officer, USMC Detachment Fort Sill Fort Sill, U.S. military reservation, Comanche co., SW Okla., 4 mi (6.4 km) N of Lawton; est. 1869 by Gen. Philip Sheridan. A 95,000-acre (38,445-hectare) field artillery and missile base, it is the home of the U.S. Army Artillery and Missile Center. , OK |
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