Can I be a Navy EOD?

Question

I've been getting a lot of conflicting information about Navy EOD recently. I'm a Sea Cadet right now. My CO says females can't do EOD in the Navy or in the Sea Cadets. I've heard that from a few people, but two active duty sailors just told me females are allowed in EOD.

I want to know if it's a realistic goal. By the way, I don't want to enlist; I plan on going to college than OCS.

I'm a girl, but I'm in very good physical shape, I run about 3-4 miles every day and I looked up the Special Forces PT requirements and can pass them all easily, except pull-ups…I need 2 more.

Well, anyway, I want to know if females can do EOD or not.

Answer 1

"Active duty" doesn't give sailors any particular insight into the various programs. You really ought to talk with a recruiter, or a PN... if they're still called that :-) I'd also suggest you get in touch with an officer in EOD. Or, get the latest from the source -- contact BUPERS (now Navy Personnel Command). Get the name of the person with whom you speak.

As far as Special Force... as far as I know, it's still a men's club. No women allowed, sorry

As far as the physical requirements, those are the minimum qualifying. You'll be expected to do more... and often... often before breakfast... if you get breakfast. Most triathletes can't hack it. For the Navy (SEALs), you need to be a good swimmer (strong, but not particularly fast -- you're allowed an hour and a quarter for two miles open water swim with fins; in rhe pool they want a little more speed, 1.5 minutes/100 meters -- minimum average), The reason triathletes don't make the grade is that they're not used to doing a triathlon every  day.

But swimming only gets you there. It's what you do on land that makes you operational. You have problems with push ups? I know a guy, a HNCS who puts two 50-pound weights on his back and cranks out push ups like you wouldn't believe... and he's 59 and getting ready to retire.

I think it's awesome you've set your goals so high. I hope you can find some way to play with explosives. However, unless they want to make an exception in your case (incredibly unlikely) it won't be in the teams. Sorry.

Answer 2

hey i'm a seaman in the sea cadet corp so i know what ur talking about

you can do EOD in the real navy but i don't think you are allowed to go to the sea cadet training

Answer 3

Yes.

Answer 4

yes.  Females can be EOD.   it is one of the few SPECOPS programs they can be in.  

Answer 5

Yes, Navy EOD accepts females in its ranks. However, it'd be very difficult for you to get a slot as an officer, though, not impossible. The slots for EOD officer is very limited for both males and females, since we are only a small community within the Navy, currently, there are about 1,300 Navy EOD personnel, total. There are quite a few enlisted EOD techs with college degrees.

Navy EOD is the only branch/ unit that can be attached to other Special Operation units, but you, as a female, will not be allowed to attached to them.

It is good that you are training, it will help you out later on. However, try to do a lot more than just the PT requirements, and as an EOD tech, you will need a bit of brain and a lot of common sense as well (I am not saying that you do not have them, just letting you know). If you have more questions regarding Navy EOD, feel free to e-mail me.

Good Luck.