A military artillery observer, spotter or FO is responsible for directing artillery and mortar fire onto a target and may be a Forward Air Controller for close air support and spotter for naval gunfire support.

Are forward observers Special Forces?

They are also assigned to Special Forces and Special Operations Units as terminal controllers and Fire Support Non Commissioned Officers.

What is forward observations in military?

Forward observers in the U.S. military are artillery observers who carry the Military Occupational Specialty designator of 13F in the United States Army and 0861 in the United States Marine Corps. They are officially called Joint Fire Support Specialists in the U.S. Army and Fire Support Men in the U.S. Marine Corps.