Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel are highly trained, skilled technicians who are experts in explosives, diving, and parachuting. EOD technicians share the task of rendering safe and disposing of explosive material. Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians protect and save lives by analyzing and handling foreign, domestic, and home-made explosives. They routinely work with the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. State Department, helping to protect the President, Vice President and other state and foreign officials and dignitaries. They support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs Office, and the FBI as well as state and local police bomb squads. EOD technicians also assist in security at large international events, such as the Olympics or world summits.
Job Description
As an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD) with specialized training you will handle chemical, biological, and even nuclear weapons. You will carry out extremely dangerous and difficult missions to save lives and make the world a better place.
Some of the duties you may have as an EOD technician include:
- Locate, identify, neutralize, recover and dispose of various ordnances, such as sea mines, torpedoes and depth charges
- Work with other Special Operations units, such as Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and Marine Expeditionary Units
- Work with the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of State, helping to protect the President, Vice President, and other officials and dignitaries
- Provide support to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs Office, ATF and the FBI, as well as state and local police bomb squads
- Assist in security at large international events, such as the Olympics or world summits
Specific Responsibilities
As an expert in most conventional and unconventional explosives, you will ensure the secure disposal of explosive weaponry.
Some of the responsiblities of an EOD technician include:
- Carrying out the demolition of hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics and outdated explosives using detonation and burning techniques
- Performing underwater location and identification of foreign and domestic ordnance
- Working with cutting-edge technology to remotely disable unsafe ordnance
- Performing parachute/helicopter insertion operations in support of missions
- Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies
- Executing underwater mine countermeasure operations to clear waterways in support of the Fleet
Qualifications
To qualify as an EOD techinician you must meet the following requirements:
- Males and females are eligible
- Eyesight 20/200 bilateral correctable to 20/25 with no color blindness
- Minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score AR+VE=109, MC=51 or GS+MC+EI=165
- Pass a medical exam for divers (Approved by Diving Medical Officer)
- 30 years of age or younger
- Pass a pressure test (for diving)
- One year without non-judicial punishment
- Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible for security clearance
You must also complete the Physical Screening Test Requirements:
- Perform a 500-yard swim using side or breaststroke in 14 minutes or faster (10-minute rest)
- Perform a minimum of 42 push-ups in 2 minutes (2-minute rest)
- Perform a minimum of 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes (2-minute rest)
- Perform a minimum of 6 dead-hang pull-ups: no time limit (10-minute rest)
- Run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes 45 seconds or faster
Additional requirements specific to Active Duty EOD Technician candidates include:
- 36 months of obligated service upon completion of training
- No non-judicial punishments or court martial convictions during the previous 12 months prior to application
- Meet medical standards as specified in the NAVMED P-117
- Meet minimum performance standards
- Pass a hyperbaric pressure tolerance test
- Be on board present command for two years
- Be screened by an EOD Officer or E-6 or above Master EOD Technician
- Be recommended by your current Commanding Officer
- Navy Seals (Sea, Air & Land)
- Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR)
- Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC)
- Navy Diver