Alex was a Fire Direction Control (FDC) Marine for Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 11th Marine Regiment aboard Camp Pendleton, CA for eight years. Having recently left the Marines, Alex sat down and discussed his career in artillery.A 1/11 was the first Marine artillery battery to be deployed to Syria to support the fight against ISIS. Alex, and other Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), were ordered forward to support the retaking of Tabaqa Dam with indirect fire assets before ISIS could destroy the dam and flood the Euphrates river valley. During their time in Syria, A 1/11 fired thousands of high explosive (HE), illumination and white phosphorous (WP) rounds in support of coalition forces.Awesome podcast with some interesting insight into one of the most recent major combat operations outside of Iraq or Afghanistan. Thanks again to Alex for coming on and I look forward to recording more episodes in the future!As always, make sure to subscribe and share the show!YouTube: http://bit.ly/formeractionguysYouTubeSpotify: http://bit.ly/formeractionguysGooglePlay: http://bit.ly/formeractionguysGoogleApplePodcast: http://bit.ly/formeractionguysAppleiHeartRadio: http://bit.ly/formeractionguysiheartr...Contact:Website: www.jcramergraphics.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/jcramergraphicsInstagram: www.instagram.com/formeractionguysTwitter: https://twitter.com/4meractionguysFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcramergraph...Email: formeractionguyspodcast@gmail.comReference:152 - Walkie-talkie style tactical radio7-Ton – Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (Dump truck-sized military vehicle for hauling troops, supplies, etc.)ABC - ANGLICO Basic CourseANGLICO – Air Naval Gunfire Liaison CompanyBattery - Each artillery battery has six guns. Each battalion has three firing batteries and one headquarters battery. BLT – Battalion Landing TeamBRC - Basic Reconnaissance CourseCAR – Combat Action RibbonCLB – Combat Logistics BattalionCO - Commanding OfficerCOC – Command Operations CenterCOP - Combat Outpost Corpsman – Navy medic attached to MarinesEOD – Explosive Ordnance DisposalExcal - Excalibur 155mm GPS-guided artillery roundFAC - Forward Air Controller. A pilot that is also qualified as a JTAC on the ground.FCT – Firepower Control TeamFDC – Fire Direction ControlFET – Female Engagement TeamFOB - Forward Operating BaseFSCC – Fire Support Coordination Center. Where fire missions are deconflicted and approved prior to shooting.GBU – Guided Bomb Unit GLT – Georgian Liaison Team. Georgian military advisors in Afghanistan.HE - High explosive or heavy equipmentHesco Barrier – Earthen filled barriersHMMWV – High mobility multi-wheeled vehicleIED – Improvised Explosive DeviceJDAM – Joint Direct Attack Munition (GPS guided bomb)JTAC – Joint Terminal Attack ControllerLHD - Navy ship designed to transport Marines and launch Harrier and F-35 jetsM-ATV – MRAP All-terrain vehicleMCRD - Marine Corps Recruit DepotMEU – Marine Expeditionary Unit (Unit attached to ships for deployment)MRAP – Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (armored vehicle)OP – Observation Post. An area where forward observers spot enemy positions and conduct fire missions on targetsPB – Patrol BasePGM – Precision Guided MunitionsPLDR – Portable Lightweight Designator Rangefinder PosRep - Position ReportPSS-SOF – Precision Strike Suite Special Operations Forces. Targeting program.RO – Radio OperatorROMAD - Radio Operator, Mechanic, and DriverSACC - Supporting Arms Coordination Center (FSCC on a ship)SALT – Supporting Arms Liaison TeamS Shops – S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intelligence), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)SVBIED – Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive deviceTACP - Tactical Air Control PartyTaco Rice - Greasy food for drunk Marines stationed in OkinawaWater Dogs – Logistics Marines in charge of purifying water and running sanitation facilitiesWP - White PhosphorousVBIED – Vehicle-borne improvised explosive deviceVT - Variable Timing fuze