Military Professions That Changed Modern Warfare Issue No. 10. Mortarman: When Several People Work as One

The mortar is one of those weapon systems that has been used for many decades.
Wars change. Drones, digital communications, new surveillance systems, and modern equipment emerge.
But the mortar remains.
What has changed is its role on the modern battlefield. Today, a mortar crew works in coordination with infantry, reconnaissance, unmanned systems, and communications units. Information arrives faster, decisions are made more quickly, and the result depends on how well people work together.
It is the people who turn a weapon that has been familiar for decades into an effective tool for supporting their unit.
A Mortarman Is Not Just One Person
In a good mortar crew, there is no one who “just stands nearby.”
Everyone has their own role and responsibility. Everyone knows what the person beside them is doing and understands how much the overall result depends on their own actions.
First comes training. Then experience. And over time — coordination.
Several people begin to work as a single mechanism.
That is when a group of service members becomes a crew.
A Clear Head Matters Here
A mortarman needs endurance and physical fitness. But attention to detail, discipline, responsibility, and the ability to work as part of a team are just as important.
You do not have to join the military as a fully trained specialist.
Everything necessary for the job can be learned: first the fundamentals, then practice, followed by experience alongside people who already know their profession.
And one day, what once seemed completely unfamiliar becomes your profession.
When Others Rely on You
In a mortar crew, you quickly understand one simple thing: your work does not exist on its own.
The people beside you depend on it. And those carrying out their mission further ahead depend on the entire crew for support.
That is how professional trust develops.
No grand words are needed. You simply know the people beside you, they know you, and everyone is confident that when the moment comes, each person will do their part.
That is what a strong team is built on.
Mortarman Is a Profession You Can Learn
Every experienced mortarman once saw their future profession up close for the first time.
They did not know every detail. They asked questions. They trained. They gained experience.
That is why having no previous military experience is not a reason to turn away from a profession that could become yours.
What matters more is the willingness to learn, take responsibility for your work, and become part of a team.
Modern warfare has brought many new technologies. But a mortar crew is a good reminder of something that has remained unchanged for decades:
a weapon has strength when it is operated by people who trust one another and know how to work as one.