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18C Career Guide

Army

18C: Special Forces Engineer Sergeant

Career transition guide for Army Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 18C veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Construction Manager

$98K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationOSHA safety standardsCivilian construction codes and regulations

Demolition Supervisor

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial blasting licenseHAZMAT certificationEnvironmental regulations knowledge

Security Consultant

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certificationRisk assessment methodologiesCybersecurity fundamentals

Emergency Management Specialist

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certifications (e.g., IS-100, IS-700)Incident Command System (ICS) trainingDisaster recovery planning

Technical Trainer (Construction/Engineering Focus)

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Instructional design principlesCurriculum developmentExcellent communication skillsSpecific software proficiency (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 18C training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As a Team Sergeant, you constantly juggle competing mission requirements, resource constraints, and personnel needs under pressure, making split-second decisions that directly impact mission success and team safety.

This translates to an exceptional ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify critical priorities, and allocate resources effectively in dynamic and unpredictable environments.

System Modeling

You develop a deep understanding of complex systems, from explosives and demolition techniques to communication networks and logistical supply chains, to effectively plan and execute diverse Special Forces missions.

This demonstrates your aptitude for analyzing and understanding intricate systems, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and developing effective solutions to optimize performance and achieve desired outcomes.

Adversarial Thinking

Anticipating enemy tactics, identifying vulnerabilities in their defenses, and developing countermeasures are critical aspects of your role in planning and executing both offensive and defensive combat engineer operations.

Your experience hones your ability to think critically, anticipate potential challenges, and proactively develop strategies to mitigate risks and overcome obstacles, giving you a competitive edge.

Team Synchronization

You're responsible for the cohesion and effectiveness of your Special Forces team, coordinating individual roles, managing communication, and ensuring everyone is working in sync to achieve mission objectives in high-pressure situations.

You possess a strong understanding of team dynamics, enabling you to build rapport, foster collaboration, and effectively manage diverse personalities to achieve shared goals.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment, including terrain, enemy activity, local populations, and political considerations, is crucial for making informed decisions and ensuring mission success in dynamic and unpredictable situations.

Your acute awareness allows you to quickly assess situations, identify potential threats and opportunities, and adapt your strategies accordingly, making you a valuable asset in any fast-paced environment.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been orchestrating complex operations under pressure for years, assessing risks, coordinating resources, and leading teams through crises. Your experience in planning, logistics, and communication translates directly to managing emergency responses and ensuring community safety.

Logistics Director

SOC 11-3071.00

Your background in Special Forces operations has given you expertise in supply chain management, transportation, and resource allocation in challenging environments. You're adept at optimizing logistics networks, managing inventory, and ensuring timely delivery of critical resources, making you a valuable asset to any organization.

Business Continuity Planner

SOC 13-1199.00

You've been rigorously planning for contingencies and mitigating risks in high-stakes environments. Your expertise in developing and implementing strategies to maintain operations during disruptions makes you an ideal candidate to ensure business resilience in the face of unforeseen events.

Intelligence Analyst (Corporate)

SOC 19-3099.00

You're trained to gather, analyze, and interpret information from various sources to identify threats and opportunities. Your skills in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target analysis translate directly to corporate intelligence, helping businesses anticipate market trends, assess competitive risks, and make informed strategic decisions.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), Fort Liberty

2,240 training hours80 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended in military science, leadership, and engineering technologies.

Topics Covered

  • Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS)
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Advanced Land Navigation
  • Demolitions and Explosives
  • Advanced Special Operations Techniques
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
  • Language and Culture Training

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Formal project management methodologies (PMBOK), predictive planning, and stakeholder management.

Certified Explosives Specialist (CES)60% covered

Specific regulations and compliance requirements related to civilian explosives handling, storage, and transportation.

Certified Construction Manager (CCM)30% covered

In-depth knowledge of construction law, contract administration, risk management, and cost control specific to civilian construction projects.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)OSHA 30-Hour ConstructionAssociate Safety Professional (ASP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)High-precision GPS surveying equipment
AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld RadioMotorola APX series professional two-way radios
M150 Remote Firing DeviceWireless blasting systems for demolition
ThermoVision Handheld Thermal ImagerFLIR handheld thermal cameras
TacTableInteractive digital whiteboards with mapping/GIS capabilities
REBS (Rope External Bridging System)Industrial rope access equipment and techniques for bridge inspection/repair

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