Basic Job Description
The special operations engineer employs conventional and unconventional warfare tactics and techniques in combat engineering and maintains detachment engineer equipment and supplies. Performs and maintains proficiency in all Major Duties- Performs and teaches tasks in demolitions, explosives, improvised munitions, U.S. and foreign landmines, mine/countermine operations, construction, field fortification, bridging, rigging, electrical wiring, reconnaissance, target analysis and civil action projects. Instructions and performs land and water navigation duties by interpreting maps, overlays, photos, charts and using standard and nonstandard navigational techniques and equipment. Plans, teaches and performs sabotage operations with standard, nonstandard and improvised munitions and explosives. Plans, prepares and conducts the target portion of the area study and conducts briefings, briefbacks and debriefings. Supervises combat engineering functions when conducting split-detachment operations and missions.
Duties performed by Soldiers in this MOS include:
Performs and maintains proficiency in all major duties. Performs and teaches tasks in demolitions, explosives, improvised munitions, U.S. and foreign landmines, mine/counter-mine operations, construction, field fortification, bridging, rigging, electrical wiring, reconnaissance, target analysis and civil action projects. Instructs and performs land and water navigation duties by interpreting maps, overlays, photos, charts and using standard and nonstandard navigational techniques and equipment. Plans, teaches and performs sabotage operations with standard, nonstandard and improvised munitions and explosives. Plans, prepares and conducts the target portion of the area study and conducts briefings, briefbacks and debriefings. Supervises combat engineering functions when conducting split-detachment operations and missions.
Note: 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
- 3 weeks of Airborne (parachute) Training at Fort Benning, GA
- 4 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, NC
- 38 days, Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Phase 3, Collective Training Phase, (location unknown)
- 4 to 6 months (depending on language), Special Forces Language School, Fort Bragg, SC.
Note: 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 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 age group 17-21.
- This job is closed to women
Similar Civilian Occupations
There is no civilian occupation that is directly equivalent to MOS 18C. However, the following civilian occupations make use of the skills developed through MOS 18C training and experience.
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Construction Laborers
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
