Explosive Ordnance Disposal – EOD

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians render safe all types of ordnance, both conventional and unconventional. These ordinances can include improvised, chemical, biological, and nuclear materials. They perform underwater location, identification, render safe, and recovery (or disposal) of foreign and domestic ordnance. EOD techs 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.

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.

Duties Performed

• Perform render safe procedures on any type of ordnance involved in an accident/incident, or 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

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.

Their missions take them to all environments, every climate, in every part of the world. Navy EOD Technicians have many assets available to arrive in 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 trained individuals comprise approximately 0.2% of the Navy. EOD Technicians operate on five- to 12-person teams. Missions vary widely and cover the entire world in every ocean and sea.

A-School (Job School) Information

• Basic EOD Diver Training: Panama City, Fla, 13 weeks
• EOD Training: Eglin AFB, Fla, 41 weeks
• ASVAB Score Requirement: AR+VE=109 and MC=51 or GS+MC+EI=169
• Security Clearance Requirement: Secret

Other Requirements

• Must be U.S. citizen
• Vision no worse than 20/200, correctable to 20/20
• Must have a normal color perception
• Must meet physical requirements IAW MANMED and pass EOD physical screening test, see MILPERSMAN 1210-220
• No history of drug abuse
• Must be under age 31

Must pass the following fitness test requirements (physical screening test):

• 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 pull-ups (no time limit)
• 10-minute rest
• 1.5 mile run in 12:45

Note: 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.

• Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for EOD
• Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing

Note: Advancement (promotion) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).

Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating

• First Sea Tour: 60 months
• First Shore Tour: 36 months
• Second Sea Tour: 60 months
• Second Shore Tour: 36 months
• Third Sea Tour: 48 months
• Third Shore Tour: 36 months
• Fourth Sea Tour: 48 months
• Forth Shore Tour: 36 months

Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.

EOD is a sea-intensive community. Manning conditions at sea may require the need to request sea tour extension or shore tour curtailments to ensure all sea duty billets are filled.

Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command.