Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge
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The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces which recognizes those service members who are specially trained to deal with the construction, deployment, disarmament, and disposal of high explosives munitions and may include other types of ordnance such as Nuclear, Biological and Chemical weapons along with improvised explosive devices (IED) and improvised nuclear devices (IND). Also known as the “EOD Badge” or "Crab", the decoration is issued by the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The EOD Badge is the only occupational badge awarded to all four services.
First created in the 1950s, the EOD Badge is issued in three levels and is identical for all branches of service. Although each service has its own requirements the basic EOD badge is issued upon completion of explosive handling training and between 18-24 months of on-the-job field training. The Senior EOD Badge is issued after 3-5 years as an explosive ordnance specialist and the Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge is issued after 7-15 years of service in a senior supervisory position.
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[edit] The Meaning of the EOD Badge
The "crab", as it is commonly known, is the only joint service badge and can only be earned upon successful completion of The Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
The Wreath Symbolic of the achievements and laurels gained minimizing accident potentials through the ingenuity and devotion to duty of its members. It is in memory of those EOD personel who gave their lives while performing EOD duties.
The Bomb Copied from the design of the World War II Bomb Disposal Badge, the bomb represents the historic and major objective of the EOD attack, the unexploded bomb. The three fins represent the major areas of nuclear, conventional and chemical/biological interest.
Lightning Bolts Symbolize the potential destructive power of the bomb and the courage and professionalism of EOD personnel in their endeavors to reduce hazards as well as to render explosive ordnance harmless.
The Shield Represents the EOD mission -- to protect personel and property.
[edit] Navy enlisted designation and warfare qualification
Prior to 1 June 06, enlisted members of United States Navy that qualified as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist were authorized to wear the warfare qualification as well as have (EOD) listed after their rating designator. For example, if Bob Jones was a Hull Technician First Class Petty Officer (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist), then his title would be HT1(EOD) Bob Jones.
As of 1 June 06 for E6-E9 and 1 October 06 for E1-E5, U.S. Navy EOD Technicians have become their own rating within the Navy. Only after being qualified as a Senior EOD Technician, is the technician designated as an EOD Warfare Specialist. An example would be: Petty Officer First Class Bob Jones, who is a Senior EOD Technician, would have his title read EOD1(EWS) Bob Jones.
