MOS 18B is part of the Army Special Forces (SF) division.
An Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) utilizes a variety of weapons to carry out missions for the military branch.
Special Forces Weapons Sergeants also perform various airborne operations.
Learn more about what it takes to become an MOS 18B Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.
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Education, Qualifications, and Training
The Army requires every service member to have a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
Some choose non-combat military roles while others prefer to be on the front lines.
MOS 18B is different from other Army Military Occupational Specialties in that nothing is guaranteed.
While most service members get to select and pursue their MOS, the Army handles Special Forces MOS by having every recruit participate in the MOS 18X enlistment option.
If you are able to survive the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) you may be assigned to one of four entry-level Army SF MOS, including Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B).
Education
The Army requires recruits to finish high school with a diploma or GED equivalent.
You also will complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
Recruits who are interested in the MOS 18X pipeline and MOS 18B as a career need to score a minimum on the ASVAB:
- Combat (CO): 100
- General Technical (GT): 110
Here are some ASVAB test sample questions to give you an idea and help prepare for the assessment.
Qualifications
There are many qualifications that recruits need to meet to enlist as MOS 18X and pursue SF Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B).
- Citizen of the United States.
- Between the ages of 20 and 32
- Clean criminal record (aside from minor traffic offenses).
- Good eyesight with red/green color discrimination.
- Scored a minimum of 229 on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
- Capable of swimming 50 meters wearing boots and BDU uniform.
There are other requirements for active-duty service members seeking to transfer to MOS 18X training:
- 20-36 years old
- Service members training again need to have a rank of E-3 to E-7.
- Minimum of 24 months remaining Time in Service upon completion of SFQC.
- Nor more than 12-14 years in service prior to training
- No convictions by court-martial or disciplinary action.
- No termination from SF, Ranger, or Airborne duty.
- Less than 29 days of “lost time” under USC 972.
- Not barred from reenlistment or under suspension because of favorable personnel action.
Overall, the requirements for any Army Special Forces specialty are very demanding.
Recruits are generally in excellent shape and have tremendous vision.
Special Forces perform operations through the land, water, and air which will test you in every facet.
Training
An Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) receives a high volume of training.
Special Weapons Sergeants are well-trained as survival experts, paratroopers, and tacticians.
They are prepared for many types of combat, which takes a long time to master.
The Special Forces training pipeline is considered the hardest program in the Army.
There is an extremely high dropout rate.
Your training begins at One Station Unit Training (OSUT) where boot camp and Army AIT training are merged into one course.
Secondly, aspiring MOS 18B soldiers spend time at the Army Airborne School.
Your Army SF MOS gets determined if you make it to the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) portion of the training.
Soldiers also train in three phases of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) at Camp Rowe and — Fort Liberty.
Additional training is assigned at the Special Forces Language School in South Carolina.
MOS 18B training consists of physical conditioning, swimming, parachuting, and scuba diving.
Recruits learn about tactical air operations, handling explosives, and land warfare weapons and communications.
What does an Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Do?
An Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) utilizes a variety of warfare tactics for small unit infantry operations.
Army Weapons Sergeants focus on conventional and unconventional techniques in all major duties of ground infantry.
These job duties include the employment of small arms, light and heavy crew-served weapons, anti-armor, and anti-aircraft weapons.
Special Forces Weapons Sergeants (MOS 18B) handle light weapons up to 50 caliber as well as heavy weapons like the 120mm mortar.
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Army MOS 18B are well versed in practically every weapons system, which makes them a “jack of all trades”.
Soldiers perform and supervise the construction of fortifications while on enemy soil.
There is also a need to evaluate terrain as well as assign target locations and areas of fire.
The Army expects MOS 18B soldiers to select weapon emplacement sites.
Lastly, a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is responsible for reading, interpreting, and preparing combat orders.
What Does an Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Make?
An Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) is compensated by military rank and time in service.
The Army keeps the pay scale fair by not making one Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) more worthy than another.
As a result, the pay is determined by Army rank and years of service, regardless of MOS:
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
Benefits
There are many benefits to appreciate as part of your monthly salary:
- Medical Insurance
- Vacation Time
- Special Pay
- Retirement
- Affordable Life Insurance
- Housing: Allowances for living expenses, utilities, and maintenance.
- Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores.
- Education: Soldiers can earn full tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses.
Job Reviews
There are job reviews on websites like GlassDoor.com and Indeed.com that give you a broad idea of what it’s like to serve the Army Special Forces:
The variety of the duties performed by an Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is exceptional.
You will get a chance to utilize a variety of weapons and warfare tactics.
Serving the Army in MOS 18B is also an opportunity to see the world and do something truly meaningful.
Related Article: Which Branch Of The Military Should I Join? 7 Things To Consider
Civilian Job Opportunities
An Army SF Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) has job duties that primarily apply to the U.S. Armed Forces.
However, since you are trained to defend against dangerous targets, there is a crossover to a civilian career in law enforcement.
As a result, many former Special Forces Weapons Sergeants land jobs as security guards, police officers, and security consultants.
Your training and experience also build high character and discipline, which is applicable to any civilian career.
Summary
An Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (MOS 18B) is critical to ground infantry.
Special Forces Weapons Sergeants use light/heavy arms, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-armor weapons to carry out operations.
Army SF Weapons Sergeants deal with offensive and defensive tactics while also participating in airborne missions.
Resources:
- https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/special-forces-weapons-sergeant.html
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Special-Forces/reviews
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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