Job: Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)

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To be a U.S. Army Soldier is to be a part of the strongest fighting force in the world. You'll spend your days training, working and serving together to protect America's freedoms. But you'll also have time after work for family, friends and personal interests. From recruitment to retirement, the U.S. Army provides a unique and diverse lifestyle for Soldiers.


Special Forces Teams are among the most specialized combat forces in the Army. They experience rigorous mental and physical training in order to carry out their missions in a quick and extremely effective manner. The Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is a crucial member of this team and must be ready to perform a variety of tasks anywhere in the world on a moment's notice. Special Forces Soldiers in the Army conduct offensive raids, demolitions, intelligence, search and rescue and other missions from air, land or sea. Special Forces Weapons Sergeants are the weapons specialists. They're capable of operating and maintaining a wide variety of U.S., Allied and other foreign weaponry. Some of your duties as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant may include:

* Go behind enemy lines to recruit, train and equip friendly forces for guerrilla raids
* Clear mine fields, both underwater and on land
* Carry out demolition raids against enemy military targets
* Employ warfare tactics and techniques in infantry operations
* Conduct offensive raids or invasions of enemy territories
* Maintain proficiency with all foreign high-density light and heavy weapons
* Evaluate terrain
* Select weapons placements and sites
* Assign targets and areas of fire
* Read, interpret and prepare combat orders

Due to the wide variety of missions, Special Operations Weapons Sergeants are trained swimmers, paratroopers and survival experts, as well as trained in many forms of combat. Training for the Special Operations Weapons Sergeant consists of 43 weeks of formal classroom training and practice exercises. Some of the skills you learn are:

* Physical conditioning, parachuting, swimming and scuba diving
* Using land warfare weapons and communications devices
* Handling and using explosives
* Bomb and mine disposal

Helpful attributes include:

* Ability to work as a team member
* Readiness to accept a challenge and face danger
* Ability to stay in top physical condition
* Interest in weapons and artillery
* Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

As a Special Operations Weapons Sergeant, you're trained to defend against dangerous forces. The skills you acquire during your training as a Special Operations Weapons Sergeant will most certainly prepare you for a future civilian career in law enforcement. People depend on police officers and detectives to protect and defend their lives and property. A Special Operations Weapons Sergeant is perfectly suited for positions such as these. Also, the extensive leadership training you'll receive will enable you to move directly into practically any civilian management position in the corporate world.

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.