EOD a good skill

biker811 · 07-13-2010, 22:17

Good evening gentlemen, I just have a quick question for you I tried searching on the forum and the web, but could not find an answer.

I am shipping in November to basic and in January I start EOD training, with my ultimate goal of passing selection and making it to a team in the future.

My question: are the skills acquired thru EOD training a good attribute to a SF team? And not to sound to naive here but coming to selection as an 89delta would that make my "resume" stand out a little bit or not at all.(For example if I made it thru selection, and the instructors were on fence about me would it sway opinion in any direction)

Thank you
With much respect, John

Green Light · 07-14-2010, 06:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by biker811

Good evening gentlemen, I just have a quick question for you I tried searching on the forum and the web, but could not find an answer.

I am shipping in November to basic and in January I start EOD training, with my ultimate goal of passing selection and making it to a team in the future.

My question: are the skills acquired thru EOD training a good attribute to a SF team? And not to sound to naive here but coming to selection as an 89delta would that make my "resume" stand out a little bit or not at all.(For example if I made it thru selection, and the instructors were on fence about me would it sway opinion in any direction)

Thank you
With much respect, John

I had a former EOD guy on my team years ago. He was a real asset. At that time there was a real problem with Soviet mines on the Nicaraguan border. His skills were used to educate the Hondos about the threat. He also, from time to time disarmed them (much to this commander and former demo guy's chagrin). I'd ask him, "why don't we put a pound of C4 on the end of a stick and blow it in place." He said "Hell, Chief, that's no fun - any 18C could do that."

We got a lot of training aids that way, but it put a lot of white hairs on my head. I don't recommend it, tho.

As far as "standing out", you'll have to get the opinions from the actuve members of the Regiment. You're being selected depends on the whole person and that person's ability to think while enduring stress and hardship. Do a good search of this site. There's a treasure trove of info on the subject.

BTW, the secret to being an old EOD guy is being smart, not brave. As my old 18C told me, "There's old EOD guys, there's bold EOD guys. But you'll never see both."

Good luck in your training.

mark46th · 07-14-2010, 11:29

Aren't the EOD guys the ones with shirts that read "If you see me running, try to keep up.."?

Richard · 07-14-2010, 11:56

EOD skills were in high demand for our teams at JCRC when searching the crash sites of ordnance laden aircraft.

Richard

swpa19 · 07-14-2010, 15:15

EOD has (or used to have) the distinction of having the highest Alchoholic rate in the Army. Or, so Ive been told.

Richard · 07-14-2010, 15:31

Quote:

EOD has (or used to have) the distinction of having the highest Alchoholic rate in the Army. Or, so Ive been told.

Am I to infer from your avatar that you were EOD?

Richard

Utah Bob · 07-14-2010, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by swpa19

EOD has (or used to have) the distinction of having the highest Alchoholic rate in the Army. Or, so Ive been told.

Higher than Team Leaders??

mark46th · 07-14-2010, 15:58

Richard- Defintely right about JCRC. Were you with the group that went around to all the airbases in Thailand learning about ejection seats, etc..?

Richard · 07-14-2010, 16:08

Quote:

Were you with the group that went around to all the airbases in Thailand learning about ejection seats, etc..?

Yep - it was when we were in the B-52s at U Tapao that I discovered just how little room there was for people in the damn thing - claustrophobically confining - made me damn glad I was not a zoomie flying around in the damn things.

Those were the days.

Richard

Trip_Wire (RIP) · 07-14-2010, 16:31

As a LE Bomb Technician and Bomb Disposal Unit Commander over many years I can vouch for both of these old EOD sayings.:

"There's old EOD guys, there's bold EOD guys. But you'll never see both."

"If you see me running, try to keep up!"

Also as an old 18C, I can see where it would be helpful to have been to EOD school and have served in an EOD unit. Of course, in most cases an SF 18C or other team member isn't going to play with UXO's, there going to seek out an EOD unit or operator, or blow it in place. (I recommend the latter.)

That said, IMO, most qualified EOD operators who have been in that career a number of years are not going to be interested in going through SFAS, as well as the rest of the requirements to be on an ODA.

My advice? Pick which career field you want to aspire to and get the training and MOS.

mark46th · 07-14-2010, 16:39

I have pictures of that trip. I'll dig them up. Right about the B-52's. I couldn't believe how much electronic equipment they had crammed inside...

Buffalobob · 07-14-2010, 17:11

Quote:

blow it in place. (I recommend the latter.)

I'd forgotten about carrying around the wooden box of blasting caps in my shirt pocket. Officiers were either believed to be dumb enough to do it or expendable, I 'm not sure which.

Just my advice which is only first hand hearsay. Go as straight to selection as possible. Take no time out and avoid any and all classroom training. The route would be Infantry school, Airborne, Holding company, pre selection and then selection. Holding company is run by a first sergeant who who doesn't bear much resemblance to your momma. He put several guys on IV drip by the second day but none of them were 18X's. Nobody ever tells you that Holding company is a selection process all of its own and it can be up to two weeks of sorting out the weak and lazy. You better show up in good enough shape to get through some difficult stuff before you even get to the stuff people tell you about. Nobody looks at your resume when you are on bed rest with an IV drip running or have both feet in casts from stress fractures. Medical do overs are allowed but you don't want to go that route.

biker811 · 07-14-2010, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip_Wire

That said, IMO, most qualified EOD operators who have been in that career a number of years are not going to be interested in going through SFAS, as well as the rest of the requirements to be on an ODA.

My advice? Pick which career field you want to aspire to and get the training and MOS.

Thank you gentlemen for your input much appreciated, and SWPA19 thanks for the heads up on my future alcoholism, lol j/k.

And Trip Wire could you please elaborate on why EOD operators with time in have no interest in SFAS is it because they found their niche and don't want to start on the bottom rung of another MOS, etc. Or another reason?

My plan for EOD was if the Army or my goal of SF failed for any reason my training could land me a decent civillian job. I've read more negative then positive about the 18x program, so my plan is to get some Army expierence under me before I try for selection.

Also are there any EOD techs or former EOD on this forum, I could possibly pm some EOD related questions to?

Thanks again
With much respect, John

Trip_Wire (RIP) · 07-14-2010, 18:47

"And Trip Wire could you please elaborate on why EOD operators with time in have no interest in SFAS is it because they found their niche and don't want to start on the bottom rung of another MOS, etc. Or another reason?"

IMO, that is a pretty good reason in it self; however there are others. The EOD school is NOT an easy school to get through. It has a a 30-35 percent failure rate. One that lingers in my mind is that both the 18x and EOD MOS call for a lot of dedication, training and decisiveness. There really isn't a big need for the EOD experience on an ODA or in the 18C MOS nor SF training on an EOD team.

BTW: I guess you know what the failure rate is for the graduation from SFAS and actually becoming a fully qualified SF Soldier assigned to an ODA.

Food for thought!

"The U.S. military, in general, is having a hard time keeping its EOD force (of about 5,000 technicians) up to strength. Part of the problem has been casualties. Since September 11, 2001, operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed 56 EOD techs, and put several hundred out of the business because of injuries. Many more have left the service when their time was up. But the biggest problem is getting experienced EOD techs to stay in uniform."

"All the services have been encouraging more troops to volunteer for EOD school. To that end, all but the marines have waived, for the moment, the old requirement that you needed at least two years to active service (to make sure you had your basic military discipline habits down cold) before going to EOD school. Now, many EOD students are right out of basic. The attrition (in the school) is a little higher with these kids, but they do about the same as everyone else once they get through EOD school.

American EOD has been dramatically changed by the war on terror, and has become a much more high tech, and combat experienced, force. Never before has EOD been showered with so much money and resources to develop new equipment. They are making the most of it, because they know that, once Iraq and Afghanistan settle down, their budget will shrink dramatically."

**The Reaper** · 07-14-2010, 19:22

At one time, EOD was a shortage MOS and would not release soldiers to attend SFAS.

If you review the rules, we tell guests not to get too far ahead of themselves when planning their futures.

You might take that to heart and focus on getting to be a good EOD soldier before planning your SF career.

TR