A sergeant in the U.S. Army who has a MOS of 18B is a weapons sergeant, charged with training and deploying assault teams around the world. They conduct all types of operations, from covert raids to direct action missions with both conventional and unconventional weapons, as well as intelligence collection operations using all available assets for intelligence gathering.
This article will help you understand the Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) designation and its skills. You’ll learn about the materials, physical fitness, and occupational mechanics skills required for the job. What capabilities does an Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) provide? The article will also touch on the individual’s responsibilities within a unit that is assigned to a special operations task force.
MOS 18B is a part of Full List of Army Mos.
Table of Contents
MOS 18B Requirements: Qualifications and Skills
In order to become a MOS 18B, there are a few requirements you need to acquire:
Qualifications
ASVAB scores must be valid at the time of application to qualify for consideration. A minimum score of 105 on the Combat (C.O.) segment is required, and 110 on the General Technical.
They are also required to participate in Basic Combat Training for ten weeks and attendance of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for 13 weeks at Fort Lee, VA.
Besides, there are a few more requirements:
Citizen of the United States.
You must be a male, 17 years of age or older.
You must be a U.S. high school graduate (or equivalent).
You must be able to speak English clearly enough to converse with fellow soldiers in combat.
You must meet the requirements of AR 600-9 (U.S. Army Physical Fitness Tests) and score at least 229 points on the Army Physical Fitness Test’s sit-up event.
You must meet the weight standards for your height as shown on AR 600 – 9 by carrying less than 20% of your body weight, or you can score over 70% on the physical readiness test pertaining to your height and weight.
Swimming test with 50m required.
Effective communication
To become an Army MOS 18B, soldiers will need to be able to speak and hear well. Being able to speak and hear well will be important because the Army MOS 18B is a position that requires communication with soldiers and supervisors.
Work under pressure
You will be expected to work under considerable stress on a regular basis, carrying out highly specialized tasks with limited supplies. You are required to be able to work under pressure and complete tasks with a minimal amount of supervision. You may also need to make an emergency decision in the field. These situations, along with others involving life and death choices, can cause you to feel overwhelmed and stressed. If this happens, take time outside of your job to clear your mind and relax. You should also try not to let your work environment affect you or your personal life.
Teamwork experience
Experience in working with others is also important. This job requires teamwork between you and others in order for things to go smoothly, so be prepared for that. The Army wants you to work well with others and be able to assist them as needed. You’ll need other soldiers there to help make it a smooth process instead of a difficult one.
Job Responsibilities
Special Forces Weapons Sergeants are to perform all duties associated with their assigned MOS. They will work as an instructor for rifle marksmanship, pistol marksmanship, long-range shooting, building demolition techniques, combat engineer skills and procedures that special operations soldiers need for reconnaissance missions, demolitions assignments, and any other tasks that might be involved with their MOS. They also lead Soldiers on any given mission utilizing military tactics, techniques, procedures (TTP), leadership skills to include fire team tactics with the anti-armor weapon system.
Master operations skills
Weapons sergeants master all basic infantry special operations skills such as amphibious warfare ops, demolitions training, anti-tank weapons training (RPGs), and any other specialty that they might need to operate on their own with the team for extended periods of time.
Weapon systems instruction
MOS 18B is responsible for all instruction in the weapon systems he or she will be responsible for training. He or she will receive specialized training in his or her own MOSC. The Special Forces Weapons Sergeant must be proficient with all weapons equipment consistent with his or her specific MOS. Additionally, they must be proficient in the appropriate tactics associated with their specific field of employment.
The mission of the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is to provide instruction on all weapons systems, including surface-to-air, anti-aircraft, and air-to-ground weapons such as the M16A1 rifle. They must be proficient in all aspects of their specialty and able to train soldiers how to operate these weapons systems. SFWSs must know how to use their gun sites and engage targets accurately and effectively. They also maintain proficiency in running target identification courses and operations.
Training member
Special Forces Weapons Sergeants will use their own field-expedient methods or tools that are required to perform their duties. They must be able to act independently when necessary but must be willing to listen to criticism in order to improve their fieldwork skills. The 18B also performs as a Team armorer, overseeing maintenance of weapons. They are called on to use their talents to train other members of the team on any aspect of the Special Ops, including parachuting, HALO jumps, long-range shooting, demolition explosives, and more.
Participate in Special Operation
Participate in a variety of phases of a Special Operation, including direct action, unconventional warfare, assistance for friendly governments, counterinsurgency operations, and foreign internal defense.
Salaries
As in the Army, the salary depends largely on the individual’s rank or time in service. Here is a list of Pay Grade, Rank, and Minimum Monthly Pay:
Private (E-1), Min Pay: $1785
Private Second Class (E-2), Min Pay: $2001
Private First Class (E-3), Min Pay: $2104
Specialist (E-4), Min Pay: $2330
Corporal (E-4), Min Pay: $2330
Sergeant (E-5), Min Pay: $2542
Staff Sergeant (E-6), Min Pay: $2775
Sergeant First Class (E-7), Min Pay: $3208
Master Sergeant (E-8), Min Pay: $4480
First Sergeant (E-8), Min Pay: $4480
Sergeant Major (E-9), Min Pay: $5473
Command Sergeant Major (E-9), Min Pay: $5473
Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9), Min Pay: $5473
Benefits
There are several benefits associated with MOS 18B:
On-base Housing and food
The Army MOS 18B provides a wide variety of benefits, including housing and food allowances. Soldiers are eligible for the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). The BAH is paid into your bank account each month and will cover rent, utilities, furniture rental, and other miscellaneous expenses related to quarters. This allowance can be used to help offset any housing expenses not covered by the BAH, such as mortgage or interest payments on loans secured by Army-owned real estate.
Military Clothing Allowance
All enlisted active-duty soldiers and airmen receive a clothing allowance to replace clothing that is lost or damaged while in the service. The Clothing Allowance (C.A.) is paid into your bank account each month and will cover any necessary replacement costs for uniforms, work clothes, etc.
Medical and Dental
The Army MOS 18B provides a wide variety of medical and dental benefits, including mandatory health and accident coverage. Medical and dental coverage is obtained through the special Program. The Program offers a wide variety of medical and dental services at participating facilities where you can visit for routine checkups, routine hospitalization and inpatient care, and outpatient care. Service members’ dependents may qualify for coverage too!
Paid sick time
Active-duty soldiers and airmen receive paid sick leave in the service, which is vital for physical, mental, and emotional health. The Soldier may use up to three days of sick leave for minor illnesses such as colds, flu, and upset stomachs. Paid sick leave may be used concurrently with any other paid leave time the Soldier is entitled to receive in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
30 days vacation
Sick leave and annual leave earned as a Soldier or as an Officer may be used as vacation (vacation leave). Vacation hours earned as a soldier may be used for any purpose the Soldier desires, except those military obligations that require immediate retention on active duty, such as training at the Military Occupational Specialty course for a Soldier in a combat arms MOS. Vacation hours earned as an officer cannot be carried over to the next calendar year.
Tuition Assistance
The Army MOS 18B is eligible for Tuition Assistance (T.A.) to help pay for college courses. To qualify, the Soldier must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a qualifying institution. The tuition assistance courses must lead to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or another credential such as a vocational certificate that will make the Soldier more valuable to the Army and U.S. society in general or improve the Soldier’s performance of his or her duty assignments.
Low-cost life insurance
The Army MOS 18B is eligible for low-cost term life insurance. The insurance protects dependents in the event of death from an active duty military service member or from civilian accidents upon their deaths.
Career Opportunities
The U.S. Army has a wide variety of career fields for enlisted personnel. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of careers that allow you to choose which specialty to work in based on your interests and skill set. However, the MOS 18B branch of the Special Forces is one such specialization where you can serve in many different areas with flexible training requirements and allow for rapid promotion opportunities. MOS 18B positions are also available for female soldiers.
Security guards
Security guards are the men and women who are assigned to protect buildings, facilities, equipment, documents, and other valuable resources of private organizations. They maintain order at public gatherings and prevent crime. The work of security guards is critical to corporate management since they provide safety to people who work in the building or property that is being protected.
Security guards undergo thorough training with regard to safety rules that must be followed when working at their post. They are given instructions on proper ways of handling crisis situations, how to search people and property, how to investigate emergencies, and arrest suspects. Their ability to take charge of a situation and do what is necessary to solve a problem makes them a critical component in ensuring the safety of people.
Police officers
Police officers are fully trained and experienced law enforcers who uphold the laws and maintain order at all times. They also provide emergency services to people and other law enforcers. Police officers work for local, state, and federal agencies. They handle a variety of duties like patrol, crime prevention, and investigation, enforcing traffic laws, apprehending suspects and arresting them, keeping prisoners in custody, protecting government officials from harm, etc. In large police departments where the crime rate is high, police officers have to work shift duties as well as day shift duties to ensure that they can be available 24/7 for any emergency that may arise. These duties allow police officers to travel around the city and at times outside their jurisdiction to apprehend suspects.
Police officers are able to use firearms and ammunition. They may be armed with a standard duty sidearm, a submachine gun, a riot gun, or a shotgun if a situation calls for such actions. Police officers are trained to handle injured persons, take them to the hospital and perform first aid on them as well as on themselves if they are injured in the line of duty.
Police officers may also be given special assignments like working as jailers or as court bailiffs, or as prisoners’ escorts when needed. Officers who serve as prison guards fulfill similar roles but serve more highly skilled criminals than those who serve their prison sentences.
Security consultants
Security consultants, like police officers, are fully trained and experienced law enforcers who uphold the laws and maintain order at all times. They work for private organizations or government agencies. They handle many of the same duties as police officers, but their roles are more specialized. Security consultants investigate crimes, handle security incidents and provide security services to buildings, persons, or other assets. They also devise ideas on how to improve an organization’s security systems.
They work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that they perform their duties properly. They also give recommendations on how an organization can improve its security systems so that responsibilities for security can be shared by more than one person. Security consultants may design new security measures which involve implementing surveillance systems, firewalls, etc.
Summary of MOS 18B
Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeants are the special weapons experts, operators, and trainers for Army Special Forces groups. They provide expertise on new or modified weapons systems to validate requirements, develop doctrine, and establish training programs. There are many career opportunities for an Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B), such as security guards, police officers, or security consultants.
FAQs
What are Special Forces MOS 18B?
The Special Forces MOS 18B is a Special Operations soldier who specializes in the use of various weapons. They are one of the most highly trained and skilled soldiers in the U.S. Army. The requirements for this job are high, but if you have what it takes, you will have an opportunity to work with some of the top operators from all over the country—and around the world!
How long does it take to become 18B?
It takes between six to eight years after graduating boot camp before you will be able to apply for entry into training, depending on where you’re stationed. However, once accepted into training, it’s estimated that it will take approximately two years before your commissioning ceremony is completed.
What is a Special Forces sergeant?
The 18B is a Special Forces Sergeant with a high level of military training. They are unquestionably the most advanced soldiers in the Army. They are highly trained Special Operations soldiers who have been through three phases of training at Fort Bragg’s Jungle Warfare Training Center, Fort Benning’s Ranger School, and the Marine Corps Warfighting Schools. After graduating from these schools, they undergo additional training in a specialty area in order to provide a complete package for their Special Forces career.
What is the salary for a Special Forces weapons sergeant?
The salary for a weapons sergeant can range from about $2,519 to $3,372 per month for the Army. A military salary is determined by rank, time in service, location of duty station, education attainment levels, and other factors. A sergeant could have an entry-level salary as little as $2,519 to as much as $3,372 per month. The specific pay scale depends on the Soldier’s occupation specialty codes.
What does an 18B do?
The weapons specialists in Special Forces are prepared to use their extensive training in unconventional warfare. This includes advising, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, direct action, counter-proliferation, security assistance, and humanitarian assistance. They are deployed throughout the world in hostile areas where they are able to develop their skills.