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Old 07-14-2010, 18:47   #14
Trip_Wire (RIP)
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Pacific NW - Puget Sound
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"And Trip Wire could you please elaborate on why EOD operators with time in have no interest in SFAS is it because they found their niche and don't want to start on the bottom rung of another MOS, etc. Or another reason?"

IMO, that is a pretty good reason in it self; however there are others. The EOD school is NOT an easy school to get through. It has a a 30-35 percent failure rate. One that lingers in my mind is that both the 18x and EOD MOS call for a lot of dedication, training and decisiveness. There really isn't a big need for the EOD experience on an ODA or in the 18C MOS nor SF training on an EOD team.

BTW: I guess you know what the failure rate is for the graduation from SFAS and actually becoming a fully qualified SF Soldier assigned to an ODA.

Food for thought!

"The U.S. military, in general, is having a hard time keeping its EOD force (of about 5,000 technicians) up to strength. Part of the problem has been casualties. Since September 11, 2001, operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed 56 EOD techs, and put several hundred out of the business because of injuries. Many more have left the service when their time was up. But the biggest problem is getting experienced EOD techs to stay in uniform."

"All the services have been encouraging more troops to volunteer for EOD school. To that end, all but the marines have waived, for the moment, the old requirement that you needed at least two years to active service (to make sure you had your basic military discipline habits down cold) before going to EOD school. Now, many EOD students are right out of basic. The attrition (in the school) is a little higher with these kids, but they do about the same as everyone else once they get through EOD school.

American EOD has been dramatically changed by the war on terror, and has become a much more high tech, and combat experienced, force. Never before has EOD been showered with so much money and resources to develop new equipment. They are making the most of it, because they know that, once Iraq and Afghanistan settle down, their budget will shrink dramatically."
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