Are there any AF EOD members that can answer some questions for me?

EOD school is mentally demanding. Attrition is high - very high. I think my class had 24 from all branches starting and 7 graduated on time (others were recycled or dropped). I truly enjoyed it - and highly recommend it. Back in the day we joked that EOD stood for Every Ones Divorced. After 3 divorces........it kinda rings true.

I know that I'm quite late to the discussion here but as for EOD school, which is all i know first hand on the topic, I can tell you that it's extremely difficult. You will go through two phases, the first being an introductory course to get you familiar with the topics in Eglin. I originally enlisted as EOD, made it to the second phase and got re-classed, I can't stress enough how hard it is. You will wake up early in the morning to get to the range and be there all day learning topics either in a closed off classroom with no windows or out in the sun hands on. Test day comes and you cannot think about anything but passing. The minimum acceptable grade is a 70% and that's on everything, with most hits being 16 points or automatic failures. If you fail a test you will spend the rest of the day retraining and get another chance the next day. Failure to reach the standard the second time through you will either be dropped from the program or be recommended an ARB (Academic Review Board) where you will have one chance to beg for a silver bullet (one more chance). If you are recommended to be dropped from the program by that board you will have to write an appeal to the Skipper (Naval CPT, O-6) who runs the school. The course is long about a year in total.

When all is said and done, It is very taxing. And for good reason, it's not an easy job. From what my friends who passed have told me, the love the day to day. They go out on calls to ranges where projos and mortars were fired and some malfunctioned. From talking to the instructors there, in combat environments you are the go to guys when there is a suspected IED or any suspicious material to be cleaned up. EOD SOP states that you will not go down on an item unless a perimeter has been set up to keep you safe while you work.

As for dealing with life after EOD school, from what i have been told you will be held in a greater regard, you will be a subject matter expert and when you say something people will listen. Stories were told to us in class where Colonels and Generals would come and want to go on a convoy, EOD was assigned with the task of keeping them safe from unknown hazards, and when that PFC in the lead truck called the convoy to a halt, it would stop no matter what the high brass had to say about it.

From personal experience, even though this is a late post, if there is any way you can get into EOD and still have the desire to do so, I would highly recommend it. I know that for the Air Force you fall under civil engineering and primarily work with air ordnance but you will be highly trained and ready for whatever the enemy throws at you. Stay on your toes and think fast. Good luck if you do decide to make the switch and when my reclassification comes up, I know where I'm going. Maybe we will see each other there.

That's sounds like a blast.