Imagine, running from the enemy in hope to find safety. All of the sudden, a strange man, camouflaged and heavily -armed, supplies you and your family with food, water, and other supplies. He escorts your family to a landing zone to be lifted off to the nearest safe zone to be taken care of. That man was indeed a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. He is a one-of-a-kind person who does simple but helpful tasks like theses everyday. They are stealth, civilian friendly, and both physically and mentally strong to take on the enemy.

To become an elite fighting machine, first, you have to be properly educated for it. Enlisting into the ARMY for this position requires a GED, or a high school diploma, as far as civilian training goes (“MOS 18B- Special Operations Weapons Sergeant”). ARMY education requirements are far more demanding. A person must have a score of One-hundred ten on the Aptitude Area GT and one-hundred on the Aptitude Area CO, which both state if you can apply for a position of that ranking status(“MOS 18B- Special Operations Weapons Sergeant”). A person must also meet physical standards of the NA, or National Academy (“MOS 18B- Special Operations Weapons Sergeant”). The most important education to pass is the Special Forces Qualification Test (“MOS 18B- Special Operations Weapons Sergeant”). This test states if a person is applicable or not applicable for being in the Special Forces (“MOS 18B- Special Operations Weapons Sergeant”). After all education is taken care of, the next step is to become a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is training.

Basic Training is what every military recruit must go through; it is not an option (“Soldier Life”). Training for Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is closed to women (“Soldier Life”). A recruit will be trained and tested physically and mentally throughout the nine weeks (Tillman 59). Training exercises include: Basic Rifle Marksmanship, Engagement Skills, Field Training Exercises, US Weapons Training, ect. (Basic Combat Training). Many recruits don’t make it through basic training (Tillman 60). After Basic, that person has the option to take some Advanced Training. Advanced Training has many different training courses to meet the needs of a person’s position (“Soldier Life”). Advanced Training is optional, but it is good in the long run (“Soldier Life”). Others are required for the position (“Soldier Life”).

Now that the training is over with, the first thing to know about a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is that person’s duties (“Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)”). A Special Forces Weapons Sergeant must be people friendly in order to recruit resistance fighters and equip them (“Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)”). They also clear any obstacles or obstructions in the way of the main force (“Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)”). They prepare and carry out raids and are experts with explosives (“Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)”). All of that is a lot to take care of and the person should organize it from the first priority to last (“Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)”). Being a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant can have some benefits to it, literally.

The pay grade is a bit more than a regular Staff Sergeant’s pay because of being in Special Forces. (“Benefits”). Some bonuses, like Enlistment Bonus, can apply to the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant if he is applicable (“Benefits”). Vacation is also included in the bonuses for the extra time off (not including weekends or active-duty soldiers) (“Benefits”). Healthcare, housing, food, special pay, and tax advantages increase net income for a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant but the actual annual pay is slightly low (“Benefits”). On some bases, housing can be provided (“Benefits”). If a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is going to finish college, he will be able to have financial help with all of the student loans (“Benefits”). Child & Youth Services and Money Management Services are just a few of the services and programs provided for a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant’s family and children (“Benefits”). After the long years for being a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, a person will have to retire.

ARMY specialists can help a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant retire to a new job or retire to an old age (After The ARMY). The ARMY can help with managing money and other things of value or need to be taken care of (After The ARMY). Other retiree benefits can help pay for college loans, a house, insurances, cars, and other items (After The ARMY). A retirement savings plan is available to people who wish to apply for one. Retiring to a new job can be easier with job-finding programs instituted by the ARMY, no matter what job (After The ARMY). Going from a trainee to a retiree, a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant can sure have a busy but plentiful life (After The ARMY). The only way to get through and to being a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant is to be ARMY Strong.

Work Cited

 “Benefits.” Benefits. March 2008. US ARMY. 05 Nov. 2008. .

“Careers and Jobs.” Careers & Jobs. March 2008. US ARMY. 05 Nov. 2008. .

“Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B).” Careers & Jobs. March 2008. US ARMY. 07 Nov. 2008. .

Tillman, Barrett. What We Need. St. Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Press, 2007.

“MOS 18B- Special Operations Weapons Sergeant”. Requirements. 2004-2006. Activv. 08 Nov. 2008.    .

“Soldier Life”. Basic Combat Training. March 2008. US ARMY. 08 Nov. 2008.