EOD Jobs After The Military
Military EOD techs (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians) needn’t look far for civilian job opportunities. The following are some civilian EOD jobs after military service for which you may be a fit.
Civilian EOD Jobs After the Military
EOD Technicians advance to governmental agencies, private security companies, law enforcement teams, and other private institutions.
The 3 main fields one can go into when transitioning out of their military EOD career are the following:
Law Enforcement (LEO)
Transitioning from the military into law enforcement is the most obvious field EOD techs go into. Being an EOD tech in the military uniquely prepares individuals to be on a bomb team or diving squad in law enforcement. Different sectors where one could potentially work include (but are not limited to) the FBI bomb squad, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Secret Service, Police, Fire Fighter, and more. One thing to note about transitioning into law enforcement is that it’s normal for individuals to have to go through a police academy or spend time in the agency before being considered for certification as a bomb tech.
>> Find job opportunities with our Veteran Job Matcher. Get Started today!
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
Going this route would be most similar to your military experience as you’ll be on-site in a foreign country for months at a time. UXO companies send teams all over the world to render areas safe as well as collect unexploded ordnance, safely detonate and dispose of them.
RELATED: Resume Writing Services for Military
Government Contracting
Government contractors love hiring military EOD techs! Why? Because the hard work in training individuals and getting them security clearance is already done.
Civilian EOD Jobs for Veterans
Sites to assist you with your job search after the military.
If you were Special Operations, there’s a site that helps place operators known as Overwatch.
There’s also a site called Shooter Jobs which also has jobs for EOD Techs.
Companies Hiring EOD Veterans
We checked Indeed and did a search for different jobs that fit into these fields. We noticed that some jobs also ask for a bachelor’s degree, but most just want applicants to have years of experience & a security clearance.
NOTE: If you’re looking to go to school to help advance your career as an EOD Tech after the military, you can use CollegeRecon’s School Finder to find the right college and program for you.
Here are some examples of the EOD job titles and companies we came across in our search. It’s important to remember that job listings are temporary so you may want to check back frequently or set up job alerts as new positions open.
NOTE: The links will take you to the Glassdoor company pages.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Weapons Engineer – Lockheed Martin
UXO Technician – Arcadis
Technical Trainer – Explosive Ordinance Disposal – AR Services
EOD Technician – SOSI
Civilian EOD Tech Jobs
Here’s a list of companies that hire loads of EOD techs (although this is just the tip of the iceberg and there are more!)
Note: The links will take you to the company website.
Maybe you wish to use your EOD and military experience for something other than what you did in the military. In that case, it will be important to understand the skills you’ve earned during your time in the military and their corresponding civilian equivalents. You’ll want to incorporate these terms in your resume and civilian job search.
Civilian EOD Job Equivalents
You acquire many skills in the military. As an EOD Tech, these skills directly translate to civilian occupations.
The following is a partial list of skills that you may have acquired during your time in the military. These skills are ones that civilian employers are interested in. These skills demonstrate your ability to execute and adapt in a work environment:
- Accountability
- Action Oriented
- Advanced First Aid
- Blueprints/Technical Diagrams
- Budget Management
- Challenge Driven
- Classified Information and Materials Security
- Command
- Conflict Resolution
- Contingency Planning
- Documenting/Record Keeping
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Medical Care (Technician)
- Focused Execution
- Foreign Language
- High Pressure Situations
- Human Resources Processes
- Inspiring Teams
- Investigation Techniques
- Leadership Accountability
- Logistics Support
- On the Job Training
- Operational System Testing/Evaluation
- Overcoming Challenges
- Process Analysis and Improvement
- Project/Program Management
- Proofreading/Editing
- Risk Management
- Safety and Occupational Health Programs
- Schedule/Itinerary Planning
- Shipment/Transportation Planning
- Strategy Execution
- Teaching/Instructing
- Technical Writing
- User Documentation
- Word Processing Formatting
The following skills and experience have more specific applications for the job you might be considering:
- Biochemical/Metallurgical Assay
- Blueprints/Technical Diagrams
- Cargo Handling
- Classified Information and Materials Security
- Driving/Maneuvering Skills
- Environmental Psychology
- Equipment Safety Feature Design
- Explosive Handling and Disposal
- Fire & Hazardous Material Prevention Techniques
- Firearm Handling and Maintenance
- Fitness
- High Pressure Situations
- Hydrological Analysis & Forecasting
- Industrial Control Systems
- Industrial Equipment Operation
- Insulation Material Installation and Removal
- Investigation Techniques
- Mechanical Equipment/System Installation/Repair
- Message Processing Procedures
- Message Traffic Analysis
- Metal Cutting Techniques
- Metal Joining Techniques
- Military Training
- Oceanography
- Operational System Testing/Evaluation
- Photographic Techniques and Processes
- Piping System Installation and Repair
- Pollution Prevention and Control
- Radiation and Gas Safety Testing
- Safety and Occupational Health Programs
- Ship Design
- Shipment/Transportation Planning
- Skill with Hand Tools or Power Tools
- Structural Integrity Evaluation
- Tactical Operations
- Weapons Training
As you can see, you’ve acquired valuable experience and skills. Experience and skills that the civilian job market finds extremely valuable.
Now the key is to communicate this experience in terms civilians understand.
(Featured Image Courtesy: DVIDS)
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Other “After the Military” Articles:
- Civilian Jobs for Infantry
- Jobs for Special Operations Forces
- Civilian Jobs for Military Police (MP)
- Combat Engineers: Civilian Jobs
- Military Maintenance Workers Good Fit for Cyber Security Jobs
- Money: Unemployment Insurance After the Military
- Money: Things You’ll Have to Pay For After the Military
- Jobs for Interpreters and Translators
>> Find job opportunities with our Veteran Job Matcher. Get Started today!
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.