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army eod requirements

All About Security Clearances and Background Checks for EOD Personnel

August 21, 2024

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians are highly skilled professionals responsible for locating, identifying, rendering safe, and disposing of various ordnances, from conventional to chemical, biological, nuclear, underwater, and terrorist-type devices.
Their work supports military operations, such as Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups, Mine Countermeasures, Naval Special Warfare, and Army Special Forces. EOD Technicians also provide essential training and assistance to military, federal, state, and local civilian law enforcement agencies in Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection procedures.

Given the sensitive and high-stakes national security nature of their duties, stringent security and background checks are rigorously performed to guarantee EOD personnel are trustworthy, reliable, and capable of handling the responsibilities that come with their role. These checks encompass a thorough review of personal records, rigorous training evaluations, and continuous monitoring to maintain the highest standards of security and proficiency.

Security Clearances Checks

Security clearances checks for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel are critical to ensure that individuals handling sensitive materials and critical missions have the integrity and reliability expected by the military. These clearances checks are intended to vet candidates thoroughly before allowing them to engage in tasks that could affect national security and public safety.

Key elements of security checks include:

  • Comprehensive Background Review: This process involves an in-depth examination of personal history to ensure the individual is trustworthy and does not pose a security risk.
  • High-Level Clearance Evaluation: For those requiring advanced security clearances, a detailed assessment is conducted to verify the individual’s suitability for handling classified information.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Personnel are regularly re-evaluated to ensure they continue to meet all security standards and can be trusted with sensitive tasks.

For more detailed information or specific inquiries, please contact Zero Point directly.

Background Checks

Background checks for EOD personnel focus on a person’s suitability for handling explosives and ammunition. Given the high-risk nature of the EOD mission, these checks are more specialized.

Key elements of background checks include:

  • Fingerprint Check: A standard component that matches fingerprints against national databases to identify past criminal activities or felonies.
  • Psychological Evaluation: EOD personnel must have the mental fortitude to handle severe stress and life-threatening situations. Psychological testing ensures that candidates can maintain their composure in critical scenarios.
  • Drug Screening: Ongoing drug screening ensures that EOD personnel are not using substances that could impair their judgment or performance while handling explosives.
  • Training and Certification Records: Verification that candidates have undergone the necessary training and obtained required certifications. This ensures they possess the technical knowledge and skills to perform EOD training tasks safely and effectively.

About Specialized Hazardous Materials Training

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel undergo specialized training and certification to handle hazardous materials and safely neutralize explosive threats. Here are the critical aspects of their training and qualifications:

Unexploded Ordnance Technician Level I:

The Unexploded Ordnance Technician Level I course, certified by the Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board (DDESB), provides comprehensive hands-on training.

Using emerging technologies in the UXO remediation industry, participants learn safe detection, location, identification, and disposal techniques for unexploded ordnance.

Graduates meet the frequent army EOD requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to work as a UXO Tech I on USACE UXO remediation job sites.

Military EOD Training:

Military EOD teams complete an eight-month certification course for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualification.
This training equips them with expertise in ordnance and explosives, enabling them to handle improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other hazardous materials.

U.S. Army EOD Requirements:

For U.S. Army EOD specialists, the following criteria apply:

  • Top Secret Security clearance eligibility.
  • 10 weeks of Basic Training.
  • 36 weeks of Advanced Individual Training.
  • ASVAB Score: 105 General Maintenance (GM).
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card.
  • Age range: 17 to 34 years old.
  • High School Diploma or GED.

For more in-depth information on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and specialized training programs, please call a Zero Point subject matter expert at 1-757-721-6601. They can provide comprehensive insights and answer questions about EOD procedures and qualifications.