There are two 18 Echos per A team. They employ conventional and unconventional warfare techniques in communications. The "Commo Guy", the communications sergeant is responsible the establishment and maintenance of tactical and operational communications for the detachment. He is also responsible for training indigenous forces in the installation, employment, and operation of FM, AM, VHF, UHF, SHF, and wire communications to transmit voice, continuous wave (CW), and burst code. In addition the communications sergeant trains allied personnel in radio nets, standard and expedient antenna systems. They are able to train, advise, or lead indigenous forces up to company size.

Each 18 Echo must first go through the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) where they have to swim in boots and BDUs, run an obstacle course, and take long treks with a loaded rucksack. During this time they are assessed on their ability to work as a team member. Upon selection they then enter the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC or "Q Course").

SFQC is divided into three phases, The Individual Skill Phase, The MOS Qualification Phase, and The Collective Training Phase. The first phase lasts 40 days and includes land navigation, patrolling, and an obstacle course. In the qualification phase, which lasts 24 weeks, they are trained  in the installation and operation of Special Forces high-frequency and burst communications equipment, continuous wave communication, antenna theory, radio wave propagation, and communications operations, techniques, and procedures. At the end of this phase of training they participate in an around-the-world communications field exercise. The third phase lasts 38 days and consists of Special Forces doctrine and organization, unconventional warfare operations, direct action operations, airborne and airmobile operations, and methods of instruction.