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Special Forces Weapons Sergeant
There are two 18 Bravos per A team. They employ
conventional and unconventional warfare techniques in small unit and
individual infantry operations. The weapons sergeant is also responsible
for supervising and constructing hasty fortifications. 18 Bravos are
proficient in almost every small arm and crew served weapon in
existence, foreign and domestic, including rifles, pistols, machine
guns, anti-aircraft, anti-armor, mortars, and grenade launchers. They
are responsible for evaluating terrain, selecting weapons emplacements,
and assigning targets and areas of fire. Each weapons sergeant is able
to train, advise, or lead indigenous combat forces up to company size.
Each 18 Bravo 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 operation and maintenance of all types of U.S. light
weapons (up to and including 50 cal mMG), U.S. heavy weapons (up to and
including the 4.2 in and 120mm mortar and 106mm RR), man-portable air
defense weapons, U.S. anti-armor weapons (including anti-tank missile
systems), and all foreign high-density light and heavy weapons. In
addition they learn indirect fire operations, and emplacement and
integrated combined arms fire control planning. 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.
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