Careers Career Paths Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant – MOS-18B Share PINTEREST Email Print MILpictures by Tom Weber / Getty Images Career Paths US Military Careers Technology Careers Sports Careers Sales Project Management Professional Writer Music Careers Media Legal Careers Government Careers Finance Careers Fiction Writing Careers Entertainment Careers Criminology Careers Book Publishing Aviation Animal Careers Advertising Learn More By Rod Powers Rod Powers Air Force NCO Academy Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 12/11/19 The special operations weapons sergeant employs conventional and unconventional warfare tactics and techniques in individual and small unit infantry operations. This position trains and maintains proficiency in all Major Duties, and employs highly demanding conventional and high-risk unconventional warfare tactics and techniques in the employment of individual domestic, foreign small arms, light and heavy crew-served weapons, anti-aircraft and anti-armor weapons. They also supervise and perform construction of hasty fortifications and control execution of tactical conventional and unconventional operational employment and functioning of all types of U.S. light weapons (up to and including 50 cal MG), U.S. heavy weapons (up to and including the 4.2in and 120mm mortar and 106mm RR), man-portable air defense weapons and U.S. antiarmor weapons (including anti-tank missile systems), to perform tactical operations. They must maintain proficiency with the employment and functions of all foreign high-density light and heavy weapons, man-portable air defense, and anti-armor weapons. Additionally, they evaluate terrain, select weapons emplacements, site, and assign targets and areas of fire. Finally, the special operations weapons sergeant reads, interprets, and prepares combat orders. You cannot enlist with a guarantee for this MOS. New recruits interested in Special Forces may enlist under the 18X, Special Forces Enlistment Option. They then attend Infantry OSUT (basic training and infantry training in one course), and their Special Forces MOS (18B - Special Operations Weapons Sergeant, 18C - Special Operations Engineer, 18D - Special Operations Medical Sergeant, or 18E - Special Operations Communications Sergeant) is determined during the Special Forces Assessment and Selection portion of their training, based on their interests, qualifications, and the "needs of the Army." Training Information Three weeks of Airborne (parachute) Training at Fort Benning, GAFour weeks at the Special Operations Preparation Course (SOPC) at McKenna MOUT Site, Fort Benning, GA.30 days of Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS), Fort Benning, GA.40 days, Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Phase I, Individual Skills Phase, Camp Rowe Training Facility.24 weeks, Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Phase 2, MOS Qualification Phase, Fort Bragg, NC38 days, Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Phase 3, Collective Training Phase, (location unknown)Four to six months (depending on the language), Special Forces Language School, Fort Bragg, SC. The Special Forces training pipeline is inarguably the toughest training program in the Army and has a very high wash-out rate. Soldiers who are retraining into Special Forces, who fail any of the above training courses, revert to their primary MOS (job). New recruits, who enlist under the 18X Special Forces Enlistment Program, who fail to complete any of the above training courses, are reassigned as 11B, Infantryman. ASVAB Score Required: 110 in aptitude area GT, and 100 in aptitude area CO Security Clearance: Secret Strength Requirement: No Standard Set. Physical Profile Requirement: 111221 Other Requirements Red/green color discrimination required Must be a US Citizen Re-trainees must be in the rank (paygrade) of E-4 to E-7 Criminal history waivers (other than minor traffic offenses) are generally disqualifying Must have a minimum of 24 months remaining Time in Service (TIS) upon completion of the SFQC, or be able/willing to re-enlist, or extend enlistment agreement. Must not be barred to reenlistment or be under suspension of favorable personnel action. Must not have been convicted by court-martial or have disciplinary action (such as Article 15). Must not have been terminated from SF, ranger, or airborne duty, unless termination was due to extreme family problems. Must not have 30 days or more "lost time" under USC 972 within current or preceding enlistment. Must be able to swim 50-meters wearing boots and battle dress uniform (BDU) prior to beginning the Special Forces Qualification Course. Must score a minimum of 229 points on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), with no less than 60 points on any event, using the standards for the age group 17-21. This job is closed to women Similar Civilian Occupations There is no civilian occupation that is directly equivalent to MOS 18B. However, security guards make use of the skills developed through MOS 18B training and experience.