18E Special Forces Communications Sergeant

Core Skills

• tactical and strategic communications planning
• radio and satellite communications setup and operation
• field network design and implementation
• secure communications and COMSEC handling
• IP networking fundamentals (routing/switching)
• troubleshooting of RF and data networks
• training and advising on communications systems
• operating in austere and denied environments
• team leadership and small-unit instruction
• integration of voice, data, and HF/VHF/UHF systems

Civilian Career Paths

• Telecommunications
• Network Operations
• Network Engineering
• Help Desk Support

Training & Development

What the Work Involves

• Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.
• Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
• Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
• Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.

Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.