Although the U.S. Navy and specially trained Sailors have been at the forefront of the practices of disarming or removing various types of explosive ordnance for more than seven decades, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal rating (EOD) was not established until January, 2006. Until that time, Sailors from other source ratings such as Gunner’s Mate would earn Navy Enlistment Classifications in explosive ordnance disposal.
But the almost exponential increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan made the need for more and even more highly trained EOD Sailors extremely urgent, and the establishment of an EOD rating provided the types of advancement opportunities that would bolster recruiting efforts. Indeed, as the Global War on Terror unfolded over the first decade of the 21st Century, the tactics employed by insurgent forces in Afghanistan and Iraq meant that other previous specialties, such as Special Warfare Operator and Navy Diver, would also be required in significantly greater numbers. As a result, the closely associated ratings of Special Warfare Operator (SO), Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB), and Navy Diver were also established in 2006.
In NAVADMIN 017/06, it was announced that Sailors who had earned NECS 5332-5337 would be automatically converted to the new Explosive Ordnance Disposal rating. Although there was a process for Sailors with those NECs to remain in their source rating, such requests were not automatically granted. Sailors who failed to gain approval to remain in their source rating had the option of requesting a lateral conversion to a Career Reenlistment Objective (1 or 2) for which they were qualified.
Because of the pressing need for Sailors in the EOD rating, the Navy employs in-service recruiters, or Motivators, at the Navy’s Recruit Training Center to give presentations regarding a career in the rating. They also conduct physical screening tests and lend assistance in filling out applications to those who overcome that first hurdle.
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