The Pros and Cons of EOD

[Tackmon]

I have a question regarding EOD and what it is like. What are the pros and cons about being in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal program?

[JSOCMarine]

I swear on my children that this is a true story. In 1990 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, I was on a demo range doing some training. During the shoot, a SSGT with an EOD badge came on the range to see what was going on and say hello. One of his hands was missing and there was a stainless steel hook protruding from the sleeve of his shirt.

That's gotta be one of the Cons of having an EOD Mos! S/F

[SHOOB]

Well that story proves wrong what a range officer told me one time when working on a m-21. He goes " what are you shaking for? If you make a mistake you will never know it" believe it or not but it eased my mind.
I would be scared shitless if I met this guy with the hook.

[Bravo_One_Three]

I was up at one of the ranges at Camp Fuji in 1992 watching the assault section fire up the SMAW's. One of the rounds was a dud and EOD came out to dispose of it. A fellow NCO commented to the Gunny from EOD that he was suprised that he had all of his fingers. The Gunny replied "Yeah, but I've only got 7 toes."

There are more than a few EOD guys out there missing fingers and toes... in addition to (in my opinion) at least some of thier sanity. No way I'd have ever considered doing that as a career. You guys have all my respect.

[EODDVR]

- You get to blow shit up

[SATCOM]

Originally posted by EODDVR
- You get to blow shit up

That's probably the best reason of them all. Sometimes when we go to the range, EOD will go with us. They may be Army or USAF. Either way, their knowledge and expertise in high-explosives is awesome. My pea-brain can only handle so much info, and EOD guys know EVERYTHING. If your truly interested in EOD, you might want to check into the additional things (parachuting) that the different branches accomplish. I know that some Navy EOD techs are airborne/SCUBA qualified.

[jw]

SATCOM has a good point. What service are you looking at? Each Service program is different.