Redesignating to Navy EOD (trying to). Any EOD techs out there who can give me some Tricks and tips to get ahead?

Cut the blue wire.

I have a few bits of friendly advice, LTJG (Join to see). Congrats on your choice. Sucks about Aviation, but when one door closes, another opens. Hopefully your situation isn't anything that will get in the ways of a TS/CNWDI (with access to POTUS as we do USSS and DoS missions frequently. Including WH duty if you get tagged for it) security clearance. Often with SCI depending on the billet and mission.
You are obviously acclimated to our Gulf Coast climate, so no worries there. Get strong. The Navy guys seem to push each other and PT takes a front seat to training. Swim. A lot! You'll go through dive school at Panama City first. If/when you get done with that, the hard part starts! EOD was in the top 10 of tough academic school in DoD. I don't know if that is still the case, but NAVSCOLEOD hasn't gotten any easier. Shouldn't be a problem after Flight School, but it's a LONG bumpy ride and you need to learn quick and mind dump for each Division you go through. Surface classes are 8-9 months, if you don't get rolled back. Each service has some additional training, and the Navy classes go on to do Underwater after Basic EOD graduation.

Now the advice, and take this for what its worth but I taught there for 6 years so I have insight that not everyone has. I did a total of 23 years, all of it EOD.

Be a team player. You won't make it through Dive School without it so get locked on to doing the buddy thing. You don't have to like everyone, but NOBODY makes it alone. EOD is a team sport. We work as a team and party as a team. We look for the odd man out. If it's because they are "too good" or refuse to help the team it is noted and will reflect if you have to go to a board. Your ship mates will dime you out if you want to be an individual anyway. Individuals don't always fair well.

You are an EOD STUDENT. You don't have to take your rank off, but the Instructors are there to help you. Letting an E-4 instructor give you advice or criticism (usually all for your benefit if you choose to listen) may seem beneath you, but it's THEIR sandbox. Play along to get along. The goal is to get through as a class. The Instructors will help, but that help may come hard if you want to play "count the bars/stripes". The guys that use rank to try to get a pass don't do well either.

Hope some of this helps. I have plenty of other thoughts. Hit me up if you want to chat or pick my brain.

Bummer. I've got some EOD friends; I'll ask around.