Bomb Technician

Overview

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians are experts in handling conventional and unconventional explosives, including chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. They respond to ordnance incidents, demolish underwater obstructions, prepare coastal regions for amphibious landings, and assess potential threats worldwide.

• Detonate and demolish hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics and outdated explosives.
• Use cutting‑edge technology to remotely disable unsafe ordnance.
• Perform parachute or helicopter insertion operations.
• Support law enforcement agencies.
• Clear waterways of mines in support of the Fleet.
• Locate, identify, neutralize, recover and dispose of various ordnances such as sea mines, torpedoes and depth charges.
• Support Special Operations units, including Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces and Marine Expeditionary Units.
• Assist the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of State in protecting the President, Vice President and other dignitaries.
• Provide security at large international events such as sporting events or world summits.

The training pipeline spans 51 weeks, beginning with recruit training in Great Lakes, Ill. It includes:

• H2 EOD Prep Course (3 weeks)
• Diver Training (9 weeks)
• EOD School (42 weeks) – four sections:
  Air Ordnance Division, IEDs, Nuclear Ordnance Division, Underwater Ordnance Division.
• Basic Parachute Training (3 weeks)
• EOD Tactical Training (3 weeks)

Graduates are assigned to EOD Mobile Units where they gain advanced on‑the‑job training and may pursue advanced options such as helicopter insertion, AIEDD, jumpmaster training, small unit tactics, small arms instruction and language school. Officer roles are available for those with a college degree.

Navy training provides credentials that can count toward a bachelor’s or associate degree and offers programs such as Navy College Program, Tuition Assistance and the Post‑9/11 GI Bill.

• Eye sight 20/200 bilaterally correctable to 20/25 without color blindness.
• Minimum ASVAB score: AR+VE=109, MC=51 or GS+MC+EI=169.
• Age 30 years or younger.
• Pass physical and medical examination required for divers.
• U.S. citizen and eligible for security clearance.
• 36 months obligated service upon training completion.
• No non‑judicial punishments or court‑martial convictions in the past 12 months.
• Meet Navy Medical standards, performance standards, hyperbaric pressure tolerance test, and be on board present command for two years.
• Screened and recommended by an EOD Officer or senior EOD Technician and by the current Commanding Officer.