General Info:
Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians render safe all types of ordnance, both conventional and unconventional, improvised, chemical, biological, and nuclear. They perform underwater location, identification , render-safe and recovery (or disposal) of foreign and domestic ordnance. They conduct demolition of hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics, and retrograde explosives using detonation and burning techniques. They are also called upon to support military and civilian law enforcement agencies.
What They Do:
Their missions take them to all environments, every climate, in every part of the world. Navy EOD Technicians have many assets available to arrive to their mission, from closed-circuit scuba and surface-supplied diving rigs, to parachuting and insertion from fixed and rotary aircraft, to small boats and tracked vehicles. These highly individuals comprise approximately .2% of the Navy. EOD Technicians operate on 5 to 12 person teams. Missions vary widely and cover the entire world in every ocean and sea.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians locate, identify, render safe and dispose of all forms of ordnance (conventional, nuclear, chemical and biological, military and improvised) both U.S. and foreign made. Parachute or Helicopter Insertion and Deep-sea diving capabilities are sometimes necessary to perform this mission. In addition to working closely with other military services, EOD technicians occasionally assist civilian law enforcement agencies. Candidates may also volunteer for EOD during basic training at Recruit Training Center, at "A" school, or at any time during their enlistment prior to their 31st birthday. In-service recruiters (Dive Motivators) at RTC give presentations on the Navy's diver programs, conduct the physical training screening tests, and assist interested people with their applications. People who enter the Navy in the nuclear, advanced electronics or other five or six-year enlistment programs are not eligible for diver programs. This course is physically and mentally demanding, but the individual who accepts the challenges is rewarded with extra pay for diving, parachuting and demolition plus extraordinary duty assignments.
- Perform render safe procedures on any type of ordnance involved in an accident/incident, or in an unsafe condition;
- Perform render safe procedures to improvised explosive devices;
- Conduct demolition of hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics, and retrograde explosives using detonation and burning techniques;
- Perform underwater location, identification, render safe and recovery (or disposal) of foreign and domestic ordnance;
- Perform parachute/helicopter insertion operations in support of missions;
- Train and maintain the Navy's marine mammals;
- Maintain EOD publications and tools;
- Instruct ships' personnel in ordnance handling procedures;
- Support military and civilian law enforcement agencies.
AR+VE=109 and MC=51 or GS+MC+EI=169
Other Requirements:20/200. Must have normal color perception. Security clearance, (SECRET) required and Personnel Reliability Program (PRP). Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Notes: Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20. When specified, uncorrected visual acuity must not be greater than that indicated (i.e. 20/100), and must be correctable to 20/20. Must meet physical requirements IAW MANMED and pass EOD physical screening test. See MILPERSMAN 1210-220. No history of drug abuse.
Must pass the following fitness test requirements:
500 yard swim in 14:00
10 minute rest
42 pushups in 2 minutes
2 minute rest
50 situps in 2 minutes
2 minute rest
6 pullups (no time limit)
10 minute rest
1.5 mile run in 12:45
Source Ratings: Men and women interested in EOD should choose a rating from this list: AB, AO, EM, EN, GM, HT, IC, IT, MM, MN, OS, PH, PR, QM, SK, or SM. Applicants for EOD cannot be approved if they are part of a Naval Reserve program such as TAR, SAM or two year programs.
Technical Training Information:
Basic EOD Diver Training - Panama City, Fla, 13 weeks
EOD Training - Eglin AFB, Fla., 41 weeks
After completion of basic EOD training, graduates are assigned to EOD Mobile units where they gain advanced on-the-job training and experience as members of Mobile Teams, Shipboard Detachments and Marine Mammal Detachments. During a 20-year period, EOD Technicians spend about 60 percent of their time assigned to an EOD Mobile unit, and 40 percent assigned to Shore detachments. Advanced training opportunities include parachuting, helicopter insertion, Hazardous Materials Management, small arms, and advanced EOD training to complement a variety of interesting duty assignments.
Working Environment:
EOD technicians perform duties in a wide range of locations, such as at remote areas, aboard aircraft carriers, at ordnance-capable military stations and in all water conditions. They are exposed to various climates and weather conditions.
