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How much do joint fires observer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for joint fires observer in the United States is $21.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Joint Fires Observer?

Joint Fires Observers (JFOs) are specially trained military personnel responsible for coordinating and directing various types of fire support, such as artillery, mortars, naval gunfire, and close air support, onto enemy targets. They serve as critical links between ground forces and supporting fire assets, ensuring that fire missions are accurate and effective while minimizing the risk of friendly fire. JFOs work closely with Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and other fire support teams to enhance the lethality and safety of military operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Joint Fires Observer?

To thrive as a Joint Fires Observer, you need a solid understanding of fire support operations, target identification, and military tactics, often gained through specialized military training and certification. Familiarity with advanced targeting systems, communication equipment, and digital mapping tools is essential for effective mission execution. Strong situational awareness, precise communication, and teamwork are critical soft skills for coordinating complex joint operations. These skills and qualities ensure accurate and safe delivery of fire support, which is vital for mission success and minimizing friendly casualties.

What are some of the common challenges Joint Fires Observers face in coordinating with multiple units during operations?

Joint Fires Observers (JFOs) often work in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, requiring them to coordinate effectively with various ground and air units. One common challenge is ensuring real-time communication and accuracy of information across different teams, especially when integrating artillery, aviation, and naval fire support. JFOs must be adept at quickly assessing situations, relaying target data, and adapting to changing mission parameters to prevent miscommunication and ensure mission success. Building strong working relationships and maintaining situational awareness are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Joint Fires Observer vs Forward Observer?

AspectJoint Fires ObserverForward Observer
CertificationsMilitary fire support and communication certificationsMilitary fire support and communication certifications
Work EnvironmentJoint military operations, often in diverse terrainsFrontline combat zones, close to troops
Employer/IndustryMilitary, defense, and joint operationsMilitary, primarily Army units
Search/Comparison IntentHigh overlap in duties and certificationsCommonly compared with Joint Fires Observer in military contexts

Both Joint Fires Observers and Forward Observers are vital military roles involving fire support coordination. While they share similar certifications and operate in military environments, Joint Fires Observers typically work across joint services in diverse terrains, whereas Forward Observers are primarily attached to Army units close to combat zones. Understanding these differences helps clarify their specific responsibilities and deployment contexts.

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What job categories do people searching Joint Fires Observer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Joint Fires Observer jobs are:

Joint Fires Observer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Joint Fires Observer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $44,178 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Fires System Integrator

Obsidian Solutions Group LLC

Quantico, VA • On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Description

Fires System Integrator - USMC MOSS / MOCTT Program

Primary Location: USMC MAGTF Integrated Systems Training Center (MISTC) - Site TBD

Clearance: Secret (Top Secret/SCI may be required for specific systems)

Ability to work remotely: No


Job Summary

The Fires System Integrator provides support to training audience classroom, field training, and exercise execution in the operation, utilization, and integration of joint and service-specific fires and targeting systems within the USMC Combat Operations Center. This role bridges the gap between warfighting functions and IT/network integration in COC training, bringing both operational fires experience and technical integration skills. The Fires System Integrator analyzes interoperability issues, develops technical documentation, and supports training events across MOCTT and distributed MISTC sites to ensure Marine Corps fires capabilities are effectively integrated into training environments.


Specific Responsibilities

  • Provide support to training audience classroom, field training, and exercise execution in the operation, utilization, and integration of joint and service-specific fires and targeting systems within the USMC Combat Operations Center.
  • Operate and integrate fires and targeting systems including AFATDS, JADOCS, PFED/JFO tools, C2PC, GCCS-MC, and JBC-P in support of training events and exercises.
  • Analyze interoperability issues and integrate fires systems into training networks, providing technical and operational recommendations to leadership.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation including standard operating procedures for fires systems installation, configuration, and sustainment.
  • Prepare training support packages and exercise scenarios incorporating fires and targeting system integration.
  • Provide setup, integration, troubleshooting, and after-action review (AAR) support during classroom training, field exercises, and live training events.
  • Support MAGTF operations familiarization, joint targeting processes, and coalition interoperability requirements for training audiences.
  • Coordinate with Site Directors, instructors, and network engineers to ensure fires systems are properly integrated within training network architectures.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Systems Engineering, Military Science, or related field preferred. Equivalent military training in artillery, fires support, or targeting systems may substitute for degree requirements.
  • Prior U.S. military service in a fires, artillery, or targeting specialty (e.g., USMC 08XX MOS, Joint Fires Observer, Army 13-series) highly preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience operating and integrating fires and targeting systems in a Combat Operations Center (COC), Tactical Operations Center (TOC), or Joint Fires Element (JFE).
  • Hands-on expertise with systems such as AFATDS, JADOCS, PFED/JFO tools, C2PC, GCCS-MC, and JBC-P.
  • Familiarity with MAGTF operations, joint targeting processes, and coalition interoperability requirements.
  • Proven experience supporting classroom training, field exercises, and live training events, including setup, integration, troubleshooting, and AAR support.
  • Skilled in documenting technical procedures, preparing training support packages, and providing technical recommendations to leadership.
  • Certifications Required: CompTIA Security+ CE (DoD 8570 baseline certification). Preferred: CompTIA Network+, system-specific operator/integrator certifications (e.g., AFATDS certification), Joint Fires Observer (JFO) certification or equivalent targeting qualification, ITIL v4 Foundation.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance (Top Secret/SCI may be required for specific systems).
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills with ability to train and advise Marines, government civilians, and contractors.
  • Flexibility to support field exercises, extended duty hours, and travel as required.


Physical Requirements and Work Environment

  • Garrison and field/tactical work environment.
  • Occasional extended working hours will be required during exercises and live training events.
  • Schedule: M-F normal business hours; reverse or extended operations may occur based on exercise requirements.

Travel

  • Travel to distributed MISTCs and exercise sites as mission requires.
  • Domestic travel up to 25%; OCONUS travel possible based on program requirements.


Company Description

Obsidian Solutions Group LLC (OSG) is a fast-growing professional services firm based in Fredericksburg, VA. We create value for our customers by delivering technology-enabled & mission-oriented technical solutions that solve complex problems, protecting people, information, and assets. Our core capabilities are in providing Enterprise IT, Intelligence Analysis, Production & Development and Knowledge-Based Professional Services Solutions that enable the customer's mission. Obsidian Solutions Group LLC is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business.

A career at Obsidian Solutions Group means you are able to put your expertise, credentials, and talents to great use working with customers in the DOD and Intelligence Community, while enjoying the excitement of working in a fast-growing organization committed to making a difference for our customers and in our community. Contribute independently and collaboratively alongside our amazing team of doers and thinkers. Obsidian Solutions Group is small enough to offer a family atmosphere yet large enough to deliver a highly competitive compensation package. We hire and retain the best in the industry, offering exceptional benefits that protect the well-being of our employees, their spouses and domestic partners, and their families.

Our corporate philosophy is centered on hiring and retaining employees with the requisite skills, professional experience, personal commitment, and ethical standards necessary to foster a culture of operational excellence necessary to surpass our customer's expectations.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Obsidian Solutions Group is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, protected veteran status, and any other non-merit factor, or any other characteristic protected by law.



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