School

[Hummel]

Hey Do any EOD techs ever get a chance to go to Ranger school?

[bmf]

From my experiences I would say no. Yes I know of a few that went or could have went, but this is more of the exception than the rule. Usuallly it was offered because of an attachment to another unit. (no, I will not clarify)
I would not come into EOD in any service loking to be SF. It's true the Navy and Marine EOD work closely with Force and SEAL teams, it's true the Army EOD regularly deploy with SF, and finally it's true the Air Force EOD stay at Ramada's more than Holiday Inn's. BUT......
these are supporting missions not technically our "real" job.
Even Mr. Hunter whom I consider to be "in the know" about the Special Ops communities has us listed as a specialty not a community.
This demonstrates just how little is known about our work in the SpecOps arena.
That being said: I've worked with Force closely, I have been attached multiple times to a SEAL team, I've done many training ops with SF as well as CCT and foreign SOF, but if I had to do it all over I wouldn't change a thing.

[Hummel]

Hey besides the obvious can anyone list the various missions EOD performs?

[bmf]

Mr. Hummel,
Try going here...
http://www.specwarnet.net/americas/eod.htm

[Hummel]

Thank you

[Hummel]

Are the other Branches EOD teams qualified in Static line and other forms of entry like the Navy units?

[jw]

Hummel,
Not to steal BMF's thunder, but as a rule, no.
All EOD Tech's are created equal(some more equal than others).
The Navy has the missions that require us to dive(u/w ordnance) and jump(ships out uf helo range). Because of these modes of insertion and the average Navy Tech's propensity for finding cool things to do that will get him in trouble, we get tasking from other units that might require these capabilities. It still comes down to what you can do when you're downrange. Cool badges don't count for much.

[jw]

BMF,
Where were you stationed before the school house?

[bmf]

JW,

Multiple tours at MU-5 and the shore det in Guam. Overseas is the place to be.
Oh, and I haven't had any thunder for a long while....Are you at 8?

Mr. Hummel,
Are you coming into the service? You seem kind of Army oriented. Regardless of service, it's a good idea to run anything the recruiter might tell you past one of these sites. My recruiter thought I was signing up for the Equal Opportunity Department.

Does anyone else think these little faces before our posts are gay?

[jw]

BMF,
Yeah, I'm at eight. Great tour so far. Interesting work.

[Hummel]

Yep, im going for the Army actually going to MEPs this coming week. I really haven't decided about doing the whole Airborne-Ranger-Special Forces or EOD. Im probably going to make the Army a career if not get out when im in my 30s and start applying for federal jobs. Im just trying to find the best one that would either be enjoyable or look the best a Resume later.

[Hummel]

Oh yea I forgot to say actuall it was my recruiter and a guy from an ESU that suggested I try to both because I always wanted hard schools train my hardest and never slack around. Plus the ESU guy said he knew if I didn't want to do that anymore he could promise me a job with his team.As long as i go some type of degree also.