New Cohort Starts:

Donate
Logo

2336 Career Guide

Marine Corps

2336: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician (2336)

Translate Your 2336 Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2336 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Bomb Technician

$85K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian certifications (e.g., FBI Hazardous Devices School)Update knowledge of current threats and technologies

Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Technician

$68K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Hazmat certifications (e.g., HAZWOPER)Knowledge of EPA regulations

Security Consultant

$75K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationBusiness acumen

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technician

$70K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

40-hour HAZWOPER certificationSpecific UXO certifications related to the type of ordnance encountered at civilian sites

Emergency Management Specialist

$72K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FEMA certificationsIncident Command System (ICS) trainingGrant writing skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2336 training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

EOD technicians use pattern recognition to identify types of explosives, fusing mechanisms, and IED construction techniques, even under duress and in unpredictable field conditions. Recognizing subtle variations from known patterns is crucial to predicting device behavior and choosing the safest render-safe procedure.

This translates to an ability to quickly identify anomalies and predict potential problems based on observed data in any field. You can spot deviations from established patterns, allowing for proactive intervention and risk mitigation.

Rapid Prioritization

EOD Techs constantly triage threats based on their immediate danger to personnel and infrastructure, given limited time and resources. They need to assess multiple hazards simultaneously and decide which to address first, based on the highest risk.

You excel at evaluating complex situations with competing priorities and making quick decisions under pressure. This skill allows you to effectively manage crises and allocate resources efficiently to achieve the most critical objectives.

Situational Awareness

EOD technicians maintain constant awareness of their surroundings, including potential threats, environmental factors (like wind direction during CBRN events), team positions, and the operational objective. This ensures safe and effective mission execution.

You have a heightened ability to perceive and understand the environment around you, anticipating potential problems and reacting proactively. This holistic understanding of complex scenarios makes you a valuable asset in dynamic and unpredictable situations.

Procedural Compliance

EOD work demands strict adherence to detailed procedures and safety protocols. Deviations can be fatal. Technicians must follow checklists and established methodologies meticulously, even under pressure, to ensure mission success and safety.

You're highly disciplined and understand the importance of following established guidelines to minimize risk and maximize efficiency. This makes you excel in roles that require accuracy, precision, and adherence to regulations.

Adversarial Thinking

EOD technicians must think like the enemy, anticipating how an IED or explosive device might be designed, triggered, or concealed. This proactive threat assessment is essential for developing effective render-safe procedures and mitigating risks.

You possess a unique ability to anticipate potential threats and vulnerabilities by thinking from an opposing perspective. This proactive approach allows you to identify weaknesses and implement preventative measures, enhancing security and resilience.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been trained to handle high-pressure situations involving explosives and hazardous materials. Your experience in risk assessment, planning, and response makes you exceptionally well-suited to coordinate emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts at the local, state, or federal level.

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

You've been ingrained with the discipline to follow complex procedures and maintain meticulous records. Your focus on safety and risk mitigation translates well to ensuring product quality and compliance with industry standards in manufacturing or other technical fields.

Intelligence Analyst

SOC 15-2051.00

You've been trained to gather information, analyze patterns, and anticipate threats. Your experience with explosives and weapons makes you uniquely qualified to work as an intelligence analyst, focusing on counter-terrorism, homeland security, or risk management.

Construction Manager

SOC 11-9021.00

You've managed complex projects under pressure, coordinating resources and mitigating risks. Your leadership experience and ability to problem-solve in dynamic environments make you a strong candidate to oversee construction projects, ensuring safety, efficiency, and adherence to timelines.

Training & Education Equivalencies

EOD School, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

1,500 training hours39 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • •Basic Explosives and Demolitions
  • •Render Safe Procedures (RSP)
  • •Advanced Explosives
  • •Chemical and Biological Warfare (CBW) Response
  • •Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) Defeat
  • •Radiological and Nuclear Weapons Response
  • •Dismantling Procedures
  • •Underwater Explosives

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER70% covered

While the EOD technician receives extensive training in handling hazardous materials and emergency response, the HAZWOPER certification requires specific training on OSHA regulations, site control, and medical surveillance programs. Additional study is needed to bridge these gaps.

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)30% covered

EOD Techs handle hazardous materials incident response. CHMM requires broader knowledge of environmental regulations, waste management, and pollution prevention. Study these areas.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Explosives Specialist (CES)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Explosive Ordnance Disposal Publications System (AEODPS) (60 Series)Subscription-based technical manual databases and document management systems
Radiological Survey Meter AN/PDR-77Handheld radiation detectors and survey meters (e.g., Thermo Scientific RadEye, Fluke 481)
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM)Ion mobility spectrometers for chemical detection (e.g., Smiths Detection IONSCAN 600)
Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD)Multi-gas detectors with chemical warfare agent detection capabilities (e.g., Dräger X-am 8000)
EOD Reporting (e.g., via DA Form 1355)Incident reporting and management software (e.g., Veoci, Resolver)
Defense Ammunition Center (DAC) Class V Management SystemInventory management software for hazardous materials (e.g., SAP EHS, Sphera, Intelex)
Improvised Disruption Tools (e.g., Percussion Actuated Neutralizer (PAN) Disruptor)Remotely operated disarming tools and systems used in bomb disposal (various manufacturers)

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 2336 experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free