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Richard
Lv 7
Richard asked in Politics & GovernmentMilitary · 1 decade ago

What would the highest rank that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer be and still disarm a bomb?

I’m writing a book and one character is in the Navy with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and is injured while disarming a dirty bomb, he is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. I want to make him at least an officer, but I don’t know if an officer would disarm a bomb or if that would be enlisted only.

His rank really isn’t that important to the story, but I want to make sure he could be that rank.

Update:

To Patrick G

That's what I thought, like I said rank isn't that important to the story, I just wanted to make sure some doesn't come back and say he can't be that rank.

Thanks

Update 2:

Well, he just got demoted to Petty Officer

Second Class, it's a long fall from Commander, poor guy, best answer once I can pick one.

Thanks again.

Update 3:

And yes I know I should use the word rate.

3 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    EOD officers do not... ABSOLUTELY do not disarm munitions.

    Officers are trained in munitions only so that they understand them. Enlisted bomb technicians disarm.

    From the Navy officer guide:

    "Trained alongside the enlisted EOD technicians. SPECOPS Officers provide field leadership to EOD forces from the LT Officer in Charge (OIC) at sea to the CAPT who commands each Fleet's EOD Group, providing leadership and planning for large-scale operations, force integration and modernization"

    The highest rank.... in the Navy that I have seen actually disarming weapons is an E-7 or Chief Petty Officer.

    I knew of an Army warrant officer that still functioned as a technician, but that was years ago.

    Source(s): Retired military officer
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    The high wash out rate is because of the steep learning curve, I know, I went out of basic training, and failed out on land mines in the ground division, then went back later and made it through with a lot more studying. Officers don't really have too much problem making it through the school because they are not going to be going out and diffusing bombs, its more a tryout to see if the techs teaching it want to work with you, if you aren't a douche you should do fine. I am in Iraq right now and out Captain went through school at the same time I did and while I am out doing route clearances and going on IED calls, he is briefing the base commanders on what EOD is up to and meeting with the intel people about what special projects we do and getting us a new car to train Iraqis on. Every once in a while he has time enough to get away and come on a route clearance with us, but his job is mostly administrative which is how it is with most officer jobs in the Air Force. Stranger, that is very very not an Engineers job, that is an EOD Techs job, engineers blow and go, EOD Techs diffuse and obtain evidence, Do through post blasts and can tell the type of munition used by the size of the hole and little metal shards left over, do VIP support for the Secret Service looking for bombs. Its a common misconception that Engineers play in the same ball park as EOD but they don't. CRABS OVER CASTLES!

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    4 star General!

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