First to Fire: Afghanistan Combat Advisor takes you deep into the heart of modern warfare, sharing the incredible journey of Andy Schouten, an artillery officer embedded with an Afghan National Army (ANA) artillery unit. Through a combination of tactical expertise and raw personal insight, Schouten tells the gripping story of leadership, mentorship, and resilience in one of the world's most volatile regions.
In June 2006, US Field Artillery advisors began training an Afghan artillery battery, preparing them for combat operations with newly acquired howitzers. On October 19, 2006, the battery fired the first combat indirect Field Artillery mission in Afghanistan. From that moment forward, the ANA Field Artillery battery earned its place in history as First to Fire.
But this book is more than just a chronicle of tactical achievements. Schouten delves into the mental and emotional toll of war, candidly sharing his struggles with PTSD and the challenges of reintegration into civilian life.
Andy's military career is a story of adaptability and resilience. It's a journey that took him from navigating the tunnels under the Korean Demilitarized Zone to exploring the castles in Germany. He led teams in high-stakes environments, drove large trucks and tracked vehicles, and honed a wide range of technical skills, from operating howitzer cannons to launching rockets. 27 total years of service (20 years in active status), including key roles as a Field Artillery Fire Control Officer, MLRS Battery Commander, Logistics Officer, Personnel Officer, and Deputy Inspector General.
As the Field Artillery Advisor in Afghanistan, he formulated and enforced an artillery training plan that enabled the Afghan field artillery battery to become the first unit in modern Afghan history to conduct indirect-fires during combat operations. He also computed the field artillery calculations for a counter-fire operation that resulted in 10 enemy casualties. Schouten conducted numerous combat operations, to include 52 Ground Assault Convoys (GAC) and 32 mounted and dismounted combat patrols (including a night air assault, passage of lines, blocking positions, village assessments, check points, and presence patrols). He demonstrated tactical leadership while coming under attack by the enemy on several occasions, including two direct-fire attacks, four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and 21 rocket attacks.
Throughout his military career, Andy mastered the art of manual field artillery gunnery—performing intricate calculations, plotting trajectories, and adjusting for countless variables to achieve exact effects under pressure. That same analytical mindset and commitment to accuracy now fuels his work in nonprofit financial management. He takes pride in bringing structure, clarity, and strategic insight to complex financial systems—ensuring accountability, transparency, and mission-driven results. Whether managing budgets, optimizing resources, he approaches every challenge with the discipline and problem-solving focus honed on the firing line.
