18E Special Forces Communications Instructor

18E Special Forces Communications Instructor

The Special Forces Communications Instructor is responsible for delivering classroom, hands-on, and field-based instruction in tactical communications, radio systems, communications security (COMSEC), antenna theory, electronic warfare fundamentals, and mission planning to Special Forces personnel. This role trains, mentors, and evaluates students on the operation, deployment, troubleshooting, and tactical employment of HF, VHF, UHF, SATCOM, Special Mission Radio Systems (SMRS), and associated communications technologies.

The instructor also supports curriculum development, maintains training materials and equipment, administers student assessments, and ensures compliance with military training standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide expert platform and hands-on instruction in Basic Electricity, Radio Theory, and electromagnetic spectrum fundamentals.
• Instruct students in antenna theory, construction, and field-expedient deployment techniques (including selected systems such as Jungle Antennas).
• Teach tactical computer applications and software suites, including the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and the Mobile Planning Kit (MPK).
• Instruct on the deployment, programming, and troubleshooting of modern tactical radio systems, specifically focusing on HF, VHF, UHF, and SATCOM systems (such as the AN/PRC-160 and associated SOF systems).
• Teach Special Mission Radio Systems (SMRS) architecture, including hands-on operation, net awareness, and tactical applications.
• Guide students through Communications Security (COMSEC) management, key-loading procedures, and the safeguarding of classified signals.
• Provide instruction on modern threats to communications, tactical electronic warfare (EW) basics, signature management techniques, and defensive fighting position (DFP) considerations.
• Instruct on civilian-off-the-shelf (COTS) communications equipment, drone platforms/capabilities, and MOS-specific UAS tactical employment TTPs.
• Lead blocks of instruction on communications planning, including basic, advanced, and no-comms/non-technical contingency communications planning.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate students during the multi-day "Max Gain" Field Performance Evaluation (FPE) at Camp Snyder and Camp Mackall, assessing tactical communication plans, infiltration/exfiltration comms, and signal support under simulated unconventional warfare conditions.
• Grade and document student performance on written, hands-on, and performance-based examinations (including SMRS hands-on evaluations, AN/PRC-160 tests, and Comms Planning PEs) in strict compliance with the Individual Student Assessment Plan (ISAP).
• Provide students with clear, timely, relevant, and constructive feedback and counseling to correct academic deficiencies and assist with remediation.
• Curriculum and Training Support
• Coordinate curriculum development by assisting in the design of instructional blocks, ensuring academic standards and learning objectives remain current with evolving Special Forces communications doctrine.
• Develop and maintain lesson plans, course materials, slide decks, and student assessment tools.
• Coordinate range and classroom support, ensuring all training aids, tactical radios, satellite terminals, and computer kits are serviceable, accounted for, and properly configured prior to instruction.
• Foster a highly disciplined, motivating, and professional learning environment that maximizes student engagement and skill retention.
• Communicate terminal learning objectives, safety requirements, and risk levels in accordance with TF 600-21-1.
• Effectively communicate with staff, faculty, and students, fostering exchange of course information and instructional improvement.
• Meticulously grade hands-on exams, range safety execution, and adherence to administrative procedures.
• Must be adaptable to changing instructional requirements and diverse learner needs and anticipate and address impediments to learning and performance.
• Demonstrate expertise, respects intellectual property, and adheres to organizational and professional ethics.
• Conduct courses using a variety of instructional practices and methods, including conventional classroom presentation techniques, practical exercises, and digital platforms (e.g., Blackboard, Adobe Connect).

Required Qualifications:

• US Citizen
• Valid U.S. driver's license
• Must hold an active Secret Security Clearance
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication
• At a minimum, must have obtained the rank of E-7, Warrant Officer, or Commissioned Officer.
• Must possess or be able to complete the Common Faculty Developer-Instructor Course (CFD-IC) or equivalent military instructor training.
• Must complete pre-employment physical examination, annual exams, background investigation, and urinalysis screening.
• May be subject to Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel up to 25% of the time.
• Must have served Honorably.
• Must be a graduate of the 18E…