The Meaning of a Saint Barbara’s Day Celebration
Honoring Tradition, Camaraderie, and Professional Excellence in the Artillery Community
In the capacity of a (retired) member of the profession of arms, generally, and an (active) supporter of Marine artillery already in 2025, I have enjoyed the privilege of attending three martial gatherings to celebrate our profession, our branch, our association and our patron saint, Saint Barbara. As people may not know, many Army and Marine field artillery personnel (and members of our Allies and friends) are members of the United States Field Artillery Association (USFAA), located in at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Each regiment, brigade and even some separate artillery batteries host USFAA Chapters. Without exception, these Chapters take great pride in their annual Saint Barbara’s Day Celebration. While Saint Barbara’s Day is commonly known as 4 December, for many reasons, units hold it when they can.
While the events were very unique Chapter affairs – one, a large staff and commander-attended Regimental affair in which artillery personnel far outnumbered other MOSs and other MOSs, another a small, gritty but intense battery event, and most recently, a formal Joint and Combined Service headquarters-level “dining out” event complete with a paid photographer – they all shared common elements of the rich traditions, camaraderie, and professional promotion that set the artillery community apart. Whether done in the field, a gun park, motor transport bay, or a comfortable base-side club, the events feature libations, food, entertainment in the form of the “Genesis” of the field artillery and/or the “artillery punch” ceremony, camaraderie and fellowship, and – most importantly – very public professional recognition. In all cases, the recipients of this recognition will attest that this is the highest form of professional recognition.
In all these recent events – and at other gatherings around the Army and Marine Corps – artillery units take immense pride in these unit-level celebrations, oftentimes combining the evening’s revelry, recognition, and “Tomfoolery” with esprit-building unit PT, field meets, feats of martial strength, beer making contests, and other events highlighting and reinforcing and passing down their unit’s timeless legacy and traditions. In many cases, members of other MOSs, adjacent unit leaders, other dignitaries, and retirees are always an essential feature as we seek to rededicate our professional commitment, stoke unit esprit and maintain ties with those that have served before us.
For the uninitiated – Saint Barbara is the Patron Saint of artillerymen and gunners, celebrated for her courage and unwavering and absolute faith in her convictions. As the story goes, so strong was her faith that her father – in all his wickedness – was unable to break her will. It is with her fearlessness and selflessness in mind, that we celebrate our profession and our association every year. It is almost impossible to overstate the significance our Saint Barbara’s Day celebration and its importance to artillerists, regardless of Service.
As recently described at one of the events, perhaps the most important contribution of our association with our patron saint, is camaraderie, fellowship, and actively honoring our service – together – that our patron saint, Saint Barbara, evokes during our annual festivities. For the field artillery, this is an abiding professional obligation – under two essential pillars:
The first pillar, the official professional connection with the US Field Artillery Association -- which promotes our MOS/branch and provides our community with the official license to the bestow the coveted recognition of professional excellence -- induction of its Members of the USFAA into the Honorable and Ancient of Orders of Saint Barbara and Order and Esteemed Order of Molly Pitcher -- for deserving spouses.
The second pillar is the unit-level experience characterized by promoting adherence to a steadfast professional code steeped in technical and operational knowledge, a ruthless adherence to exacting standards, and an abiding respect for the necessary lethality of our chosen profession and – most importantly – a selfless dedication to providing lethal and nonlethal fires and other fire support services to our maneuver customers.
A Saint Barbara’s Day Celebration is far more than a mere gathering — it represents a living tradition that binds past, present, and future artillerymen in a shared legacy of professional excellence, camaraderie, and unit pride. Whether observed in a formal setting or a rugged field environment, these occasions serve as a powerful reminder of the artillery’s essential role in combat, the unwavering commitment to precision and lethality, and the deep respect for those who have served before us. As we honor Saint Barbara, we reaffirm our dedication to the profession of arms, the principles of fire support, reinforce unbreakable community bonds and inspire the next generation to carry forward the traditions and standards that make our MOS truly exceptional.
