Special Forces Teams are among the most specialized combat forces in the Army. They experience rigorous mental and physical training in order to carry out their missions in a quick and extremely effective manner. The Special Forces Communications Sergeant is a crucial member of this team and must be ready to perform a variety of tasks anywhere in the world on a moment's notice.

Special Forces Soldiers in the Army will conduct offensive raids, demolitions, intelligence, search and rescue and other missions from air, land or sea. Special Forces Communications Sergeants can operate every kind of communications gear, from encrypted satellite communications systems to old-style high-frequency (HF) Morse key systems. They also have serious computer/networking skills.

Some of your duties as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant may include:

• Organize, train, advise and supervise Soldiers in the installation, utilization and operation of communications equipment
• Establish and maintain tactical and operational communications and communications equipment
• Plan, prepare and assist in the communications targets portion of area study
• Supervise the communications functions for special operations or missions

Special Operations Forces have very demanding physical requirements. Good eyesight, night vision, and physical conditioning are required to reach mission objectives via parachute, land or water. Also required is excellent hand-eye coordination to detonate or deactivate explosives. In most instances, Special Operations Forces Team Members are required to be qualified divers, parachutists and endurance runners.

Due to the wide variety of missions, Special Operations Communications Sergeants are trained swimmers, paratroopers and survival experts, as well as trained in many forms of combat. Training for the Special Operations Communications Sergeant consists of 60 weeks of formal classroom training and practice exercises. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

• Physical conditioning, parachuting, swimming and scuba diving
• Using land warfare weapons and communications devices
• Handling and using explosives
• Bomb and mine disposal

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to work as a team member
• Readiness to accept a challenge and face danger
• Ability to stay in top physical condition
• Interest in medicine and science
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

As a member of a Special Operations Team, you're trained to defend against dangerous forces. As a Special Operations Communications Sergeant you will also receive valuable training in the field of communications. The skills you acquire as a Special Operations Communications Sergeant will most certainly prepare you for a future civilian career in law enforcement. People depend on police officers and detectives to protect and defend their lives and property. A Special Operations Communications Sergeant is perfectly suited for positions such as these. Also, the extensive leadership training you'll receive will enable you to move directly into practically any civilian management position in the corporate world.

• Psychological Operations Specialist (37F)
• Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C)
• Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D)
• Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.