The Gunner's Test, as explained by the Battery commander, Captain Mac Hennigan, "encompasses all the basic skills required to operate the 105s here on Jamie."

The test, which is Army-wide, utilizes every type of fire mission that the "redlegs" could encounter and each exercise has rigid time requirements. "Also," emphasized Captain Hennigan, "there can be no margin for error in artillery and that holds true with this test. Every exercise has to be done perfectly -- there is no tolerance."

Depending on how well the artillery man does on the test he may receive appointment as an Expert, 1st Class or 2nd Class gunner, but the section chiefs and main gunners must qualify as 1st Class or Expert. "We take these tests into consideration when it comes time for promotion," said Captain Hennigan.

An example of the direct fire portion of the test would be that in a period of two seconds the gunner must set up the sight reticle for the range and lean and traverse the howitzer until the gauge-line is on the target. Sound easy? Try it.