What an enjoyable read . . . !
Tom, I, too, used to be a computer. 11C, Indirect Fire Infantry. With the 60mm, 80mm and 4.2in mortars, I got to play ammo bearer, assistant gunner, gunner, squad leader, section sergeant and chief of smoke. Plotting shots involved detailed knowledge in map reading, the M1 plotting board and a logarithmic book of charge settings for the rounds. I got pretty good at it.