Inaugural Master Gunner Conference goes live at Fort Bliss

The 1st Armored Division hosted the inaugural Master Gunner conference at the Fort Bliss Simulation Center earlier this month.

Becoming a Master Gunner is a huge step for soldiers in their career field, and in 2019 became recognized by the Army when it authorized the wearing of the Master Gunner Identification badge. Master Gunners advise their commanders on everything involving vehicle platforms and weapons systems as well as plan and execute live fire training.

The Army describes a Master Gunner as having, "a high level of technical competence and a detailed understanding of a projectile producing system that [aids] a command in planning, resourcing, training and executing a gunnery program designed to enhance the combat effectiveness and lethality of a maneuver force."

The intent of the conference was both to build cohesion and relationships within the Master Gunner community, but also to share best practices and lessons learned.

"You are the experts, but you also have to know the experts," explained Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, the commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. "A great master gunner has a network of connections. Whether you’re at Fort Moore, Georgia, or right here at Fort Bliss, you can pick up the phone and call an expert to discuss a problem you’re having."

International allies from Canada and Australia also participated in the conference. Fort Bliss intends to host one each year in order, "to build upon the shared lessons in lethality, trend analysis and training progression," an Army press release stated .