Posting this so Team Sgt does come and make my House a DZ :)

Ok, Basically...this was a PM turned thread, per Team Sgt

I am looking into the 18E career field, as my SF MOS I am going to try and get, but, maybe not for similar reasons..

I actually WANT the 18E.. Unlike a lot of people who kinda look at that MOS and then ...go..."Ugh, why? Wanna be a Nerd or something Professionally?"

I am a current Technical Service Specialist for the largest Electronics retailer in the USA (2 guesses as to who) who deals with anything from Computers to ...More or less, DVD Players, Plasma TVs, and the like, plus, Im Networking+ Certified.

If its broke, I fix it, plus, I am currently pursuing my Amateur Radio License, going for my Technician, I want the EXTRA license though, because I do live in Kansas, and hey, Kansas is the weirdest weather state in the country, anyone whos lived here knows this sad, but true fact.

I am hardcore electronics, but, I am also hardcore into wanting to be a fighter, and not a spectator, are todays 18Es spectators in the Modern SF world, or do they do the same jobs/etc as the 18B, plus the Comms end?

Any insight or info would be helpful and most appreciated.

All 18 series are Soldiers/warriors first, specialty second.

IF you make it through the pipeline and onto an ODA, you will be a Special Forces Soldier. First and foremost and forever if you don't get kicked off the team. IF you happen to be an 18E when you get to that ODA, you will be the communicator for that team, a man relied on to make comms in tough conditions and from all over the world.

[QRQ 30]

Don't take to heart what I said about 18E being a "pussified" MOS. Very few graduates of SF Communications training would be willing to change their MOS until the time came when it was necessary for promotion to E-8. There are many fine Team Sergeants around who were once commo and I am sure that unter the 180 series there are many WO Team Leaders. I learned to love electronics and eventually got a degree in radio engineering. Of course I learned all there was to know about vacuum tubes and shortly they were replaced by solid state devices. C'est la vie!!

The mission of Special Forces is varied. Don't get totally wrapped up in the Direct Action or Strategic Recon. We do that too but for every team you hear about in direct combat roles there are several others in a training/advisory role. That is what makes us "Special". We can adapt to most any mission given to us.

As a SF operator, I went to Latin America on several Mobil Training Teams to teach to set up operate, and maintain the FRC-93. I served as a reconnaisance team leader. I was an SSG and my RTO was a 1LT. Time on ground was the determining factor.

In a UWOA you may be called upon to set up and supervise a Batallion Communications net to include clandestine non-electronic communications.

Even on training missions, much of the evaluation of a team is based upon its communications. Again, this is where you earn your pay. You will be a Special Forces Communicator. Notice that the Special Forces comes first!!

[NousDefionsDoc]

My first MOS was O5B. I would have gladly gone as an Echo, but the medic class was the next one starting. Comms are important enough that we used to do a couple of COMEX's a year. A bunch of us out wandering around the Uwharrie with one E making shots - in the winter. Everybody had to know code.

Dit Dahs are important.

No comms=no bundle=no Copenhagen

No comms=No CAS/exfil

Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc

No comms=No CAS/exfil

No comms might mean no exfil... ask the One Zeros

[NousDefionsDoc]

Right! No CAS nor Exfil. The little line - I was being lazy.

[Team Sergeant]

"You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!"

TS
Former 18E

[Fox583]

Just think as an E, you get to be the one (when there isnt a j-tac) dropping the bombs and calling in the birds, your job is by far the most important. The team lives on commo, not just radios but all the computers, Sat equipment, stuff in the trucks, stuff on all the guys, the internet and most of all the Team SGT's and CPT's computers so that they stay in thier room and not roaming the team house looking for stupid stuff that can be done. You also control the movie and music drives basicly along with your job as an E you will probably do intel and since you provide the "net" you are the morale guy. You dont have a thing to do state side but you dont stop moving when you deploy. HAVE FUN!!!!

[x SF med]

Holy necropost, Batman.

[KimuraFTW]

It's alive!

[glebo]

Is this a record???

[Richard]

So - is this guy now an Echo or is he still unlocking used i-Phones at the customer service counter in Entertainmart and talking coulda-woulda-shoulda with high school cheerleaders?

Richard

[Cool Breeze]

Was wondering the same thing Richard. So, what's the answer? Did you make it to and through SFQC or are you still undecided?

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by x SF med

Holy necropost, Batman.

Yeah.... ya figure we started posting in Feb 2004, that was April 2004. It's old for sure, but not as old as you.....

[MrBox2113]

Originally Posted by x SF med

Holy necropost, Batman.

OMG that cracked me up!