Army
COMBAT

MOS

18A

Special Forces

Description

Commands or serves on the staff of Special Forces units. Serves in positions requiring general Special Forces experience or training. Serves as a Commander, Staff Officer, Advisor, Exchange Officer, Plans and Operations Officer, and service school instructor in positions requiring Special Forces experience or training. Conducts area studies of potential operational areas, acquiring detailed knowledge of their geography, economy, political structure, armed forces, and history. Develops and maintains foreign language capability. Plans, controls and executes foreign internal defense, strike operations, strategic reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and other related special operations. Develops interpersonal and communicative skills to facilitate interaction with foreign officers, soldiers, and civilians.

Core Skills

  • operational planning and mission design
  • intelligence integration and analysis
  • risk assessment and mitigation planning
  • information management and reporting
  • cross-functional and interagency coordination
  • program and project management
  • data-driven decision making
  • knowledge management and documentation
  • briefing and executive communication
  • foreign partner engagement and advisory skills
  • process development and optimization
  • team leadership and organizational management
  • basic information security and OPSEC practices

Common Certifications

  • Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
  • ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP)
  • Close Protection/Executive Protection Certification
  • Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
  • FEMA Emergency Management Institute Certifications
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Firearms Instructor Certification

Civilian Career Paths

  • PROJECT MANAGEMENT
  • INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
  • EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
  • TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Defense contractor jobs for 18A

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Data sourced from official Army publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.