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??

MtnGoat · 07-16-2010, 06:42

Biker-

I wish 18C Comiittee would bring back the EOD Tech they had on the Committee. They guy may have been to dork, bt what his position brought to the committee was great. 18C are great at BIPing shit away. But there is something abou BIPing everything.

So with that said. EOD on an ODA, great if you get a 18C as a former EOD Tech. If your an EOD Tech on an ODA during a trip and you know you going. Get your butt in Shape. More often we get fat or of shape EOD techs coming to a firebase. Most ODA CDRs and Tm Sgts really hate having them on their ODAs. So when you get done with your trainig and get to your unit. Get better at your Job, Get to know what it takes for stuff (Componenets) to get CEXC and Level 2 "labbed". Teach whomever your working for this is what needs to be done while we are out. BLUF - If you not under fire, don't BIP every frinking IED you come to. Police up what you can to be sent to CEXC.

EOD Techs on an ODA bring a lot to the table. Just as about every other MOS in the system, some more than others. You just need to get through PHASE ONE and Eglin Phase and then start think about SFAS. PHASE ONE is hard enough, I don't know what the wash out rate is now, but it use to be 45% to 55%. That was really bad when you only had 40 to 60 students.