Careers

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) is the world’s premier explosive ordnance disposal force. No other service component or nation comes close to replicating the skill sets that U.S Navy EOD technicians possess. Navy EOD is the Department of Defense’s (DoDs) Maritime EOD Component and the only DoD EOD Force that is trained in Underwater Mine Countermeasure (UMCM) Operations and diving. Navy EOD Officers lead small teams of EOD technicians in a variety of missions to include:

  • Underwater Mine Countermeasures (UMCM)
  • Diving & Salvage Operations
  • Conventional EOD Operations
  • Demolition Operations/Range Clearance/Render Safe Procedures (RSPs)
  • Flight Deck Response (NATOPS)
  • Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Disposal
  • Military Ordnance Test & Evaluation (NAVAIR & NAVSEA)
  • Counter-IED (CIED) Operations
  • Overseas & CONUS Regional Response
  • Support to Naval Special Operations Forces & Army Special Operations Forces
  • Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction/Counter Proliferation (CP)
  • Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) Engagements
  • Explosive & Foreign Ordnance Exploitation/Weapons Technical Intelligence (WTI)

 

EOD Never Die Twice

The most important part of the Navy EOD community— honoring the fallen every single day.

 

Navy EOD officers are held to a high standard and are expected to be competent in skills like:

  • Diving
  • Small Boat Operations
  • Tactical Shooting
  • Helicopter Rope Suspension Technique (HRST)/CAST Operations
  • Military Freefall Operations
  • Underwater Robotics/UUVs/Side Scan Sonar Operations
  • Explosive Breaching
MIDN Shaffer EOD Suit

MIDN Christian Shaffer working out in the bomb suit and driving robots at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two (EODGRU2).

Selection

Navy EOD is the smallest Unrestricted Line Community in the Navy and selection is highly competitive. Navy ROTC Midshipmen desiring selection into the EOD community should be committed to preparing themselves for the selection process. Candidates should strive to excel physically, academically, and socially. They should stand out as leaders among their peers. The selection process is comprised of taking the Physical Screening Test (PST), attending the first class EOD Evaluation Cruise, submitting an application package, and being interviewed by a panel of EOD officers.

Pipeline

The newly commissioned officer from the NROTC program will complete the Joint Diving Officer (JDO) Course at Naval Diving and Salvage Center, Panama City, FL and progress directly to EOD school at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD), Eglin AFB. EOD school is a 10-month course that is both physically and mentally demanding. The mission is to train officers and enlisted personnel in the best methods of detection, identification, rendering safe, and disposal of explosive ordnance and related devices. This includes all known foreign ordnance, chemical weapons, biological weapons, nuclear weapons, clandestine improvised devices, and any and all ordnance/devices which may be encountered under water. Graduates will then be assigned as Platoon Leaders at EOD Mobile Units. 

 

MIDN Sandoval Repel

MIDN Theodore Sandoval beginning to rappel during a helicopter rope suspension technique training course at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2.