Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist (89D)
The handling and storage of ammunition must be carried out very carefully. Ammunition and weapons, also known as 'ordnance' in the Army, are hazardous materials and proper care is required when dealing with them. Ordnance specialists, such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, are responsible for the identification, render safe, and disposal of hazardous unexploded conventional munitions, chemical munitions, nuclear weapons, and Improvised Explosive Devices.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists are primarily responsible for locating, identifying and disposing of foreign and domestic explosive devices. Some of your duties as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist may include:

  • Supporting VIP missions for the U.S. Secret Service, State Department and other federal agencies
  • Researching and identifying ordnance using explosive ordnance disposal technical publications
  • Detecting the presence of and identifying chemical agents
  • Preparing and maintaining explosive ordnance disposal tools, equipment and vehicles
  • Assisting in the operation of Emergency Contamination Control Stations and Emergency Personnel Decontamination Stations
  • Assisting in locating and gaining access to buried ordnance
  • Assisting the explosive ordnance disposal team leader in performing major duties
  • Defusing unexploded bombs
  • Locating, identifying and disposing of chemical munitions
  • Mitigating the hazards of Weapons of Mass Destruction

TRAINING:

Job training for an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 38 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.

HELPFUL SKILLS:

Helpful attributes include:

  • An ability to communicate effectively
  • An interest in algebra, chemistry, physics, geometry and trigonometry
  • An ability to plan and organize
  • An ability to work calmly under stress

ADVANCED RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advanced level Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists supervise and train other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist, you may be involved in:

  • Performing radiological monitoring
  • Reading and interpreting X-rays, diagrams, drawings and other technical information on explosive ordnance
  • Conducting formal instruction for Army and civilian audiences
  • Working with and supporting other government agencies
  • Assisting in preparing technical intelligence and incident reports

RELATED CIVILIAN JOBS:

The skills you learn as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist will help prepare you for a civilian career with government agencies and private industries performing ordnance research and development. You might also consider a future as a bomb-disposal expert, gunsmith or munitions manufacturer.