Field Artillery Professional Bulletin

What’s new and what’s to come

Since 1911, the Field Artillery Professional Bulletin (FAPB) cultivated a shared understanding of the Field Artillery’s past and present with confidence towards the future. To remain true to our mission, we recognize the need to evolve with the branch and Army as a whole, especially with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s new Harding Project initiative.

We’re changing here at the FAPB. This summer, we welcomed our first Field Artillery Fellow—1LT Mackenzie Schott. The introduction of a military editor to the publication coincides with our upcoming transition to a rolling format beginning this October.

As we push towards this new phase, we still want to recognize our most recent issue that was published earlier this month and share what’s next for Field Artillery.

Issue 24-2

The FAPB has officially released its second edition, download your copy here! Here are just a few articles that we would like to highlight:

1. Beyond Destruction: Bridging the Gap in Artillery Effects Expertise, written by WO1 Zachary A. Zayac, winner of the John A. Robinson Eagle Writing Award. This award is named after CW5 John A. Robinson who, in similar spirit to the Harding Project, developed a research and writing program meant to enhance and recognize the excellent writers in each Warrant Officer Basic Course class here at Fort Sill.

   
   WO1 Zayac calls for complimenting current weaponeering courses with an advanced artillery effects course, so that 131A Field Artillery Targeting Technicians possess the knowledge necessary to combine system data, theory, and the reality of current combat to win battles today and in the future.

2. I Found What You’re Looking For: Why Company Grade Officers Should be Fighting to Come Teach at the Field Artillery School, written by MAJ Destry “Sam” Balch. A lack of professional fulfillment is plaguing Officers across the force, but MAJ Balch offers a clear solution: Fort Sill. Looking back on his time as a Gunnery instructor for the Field Artillery (FA) Basic Officer Leader Course, he highlights how he helped transform the organization while mentoring the next generation of leaders. MAJ Balch makes a strong case for joining this effort to be on the frontlines of FA education and growth.

3. Testing the Newest Army Long-Range Weapon Systems: Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and Mid-Range Capability, written by MAJ Edward Richardson, CPT Bol Jack, SSG Maggie Vega and Mr. Mark Colley

   
   The Fire Support Test Directorate seeks new ways to assess weapon systems such as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and Mid-Range Capability. Regarding the continuous evaluation approach currently being used, these authors recommend the middle tier of acquisition (MTA) pathway to elevate the Army’s position in this race for hypersonic capabilities through rapid prototyping and rapid fielding.

Check out those and other articles in this issue.

Behind the Curtain

The FAPB has been under the care of Ms. Judith Oman, the FA School Public Affairs Officer and Editor, since 2022. With the roll out of the Harding Project, the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE) began its search for a military editor to place alongside her and found their nomination in 1LT Mackenzie Schott.

The two of us are energized by the direction we are taking the publication, especially with the support of the Army University Press and Combined Arms Center. By publishing articles weekly, we are given the opportunity to enable more connection and accessibility across the force. Together, we are seeking to create a more modern space for our readers and writers to engage. As we navigate what’s next, we will call upon our Fires community to help us keep the FAPB striving for excellence and extend our reach to a greater audience.

Field Artillery will pivot to a rolling publication in October as the Army launches the web-first, mobile-friendly Line of Departure platform. This format means more timely publication with one or two articles coming out each week.

As we make this transition, we would like to thank all the Redlegs who continue to support the FAPB by reading and writing. Our ability to grow would not be possible without your dedication and willingness to share your experiences and knowledge with the Fires community. It is those conversations that help drive Field Artillery into the future.

The FAPB looks forward to reading more of your articles, please submit them to us at the following email: Field Artillery Professional Bulletin. Our submission guidelines have not changed and can be found on the Field Artillery Professional Bulletin website at this link: Field Artillery Professional Bulletin Guidance on Article Submissions. As Ms. Oman always says, “Remember to READ, WRITE and PHOTOGRAPH!”