This Is What Disarming Bombs In The Military Is Really Like

There is an unassailable prestige that come from being an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) member in the military.

They're as cool as jet pilots, with the hands of a heart surgeon who operates on patients that can detonate and kill everyone within sight.

From what they say there's nothing like it.

We found this Reddit thread earlier in the year by an EOD tech who describes what it's really like detonating bombs meant to kill American troops.

We found it eye-opening and thought it worth sharing again. We hope you agree.

It's not like the movies

[W]ire color doesn't matter one bit, it's just a rubber coating. When we make training devices we use all one color, or multiple for funsies.

I've actually never disarmed a live device with a timer, they're just not that common, most devices are command detonated or victim operated [i.e. set off by the victim of the explosion].

[On "The Hurt Locker"]: You cannot pick up 90lb 155m artillery rounds by the half dozen while they're all connected by detonating cord. While the main character is more of a cowboy style risk taker, real bomb techs are far more tedious, calculated, and safe.

[On "Bomb Patrol Afghanistan"]: [Enemy combatants] are always watching and filming us. Anything on BPA has been scrubbed and approved. The risks are always calculated and there's a lot of lighthearted joking and back and forth, smart ass remarks, and of course quick temper flares.

Source: Reddit

Bomb technicians are volunteers

You have to want it, it's volunteer only. I love blowing s*** up! On a more serious note, I don't have a death wish and this job makes me feel alive. I like to think I'm saving lives and helping the greater good.

One less device is one less kid dead in a landmine is Laos, or one less family without a mom, dad, son, daughter and so on in America or Baghdad.

I'm pushing $75-80k I think. But my benefits are all military so I don't pay for those. The job gives us special pays as well.

There isn't much reward other than personal satisfaction we are hardly in the public eye. The money is nice but you can't use it as a pink mist.

People that burn out usually keep it under control and then they just get out. You volunteer for this job, you can say f*** it I'm done at any time because the Army can't technically make you walk down and disarm a bomb.

Source: Reddit

Bomb suits are awesome (but hardly indestructible)

It is made out of Kevlar and steel plates.

Anything over say 10lbs of pure high explosive is scary because it negates the protective effects of the bomb suit at 0 ft.

Source: Reddit

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