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3E891 Career Guide

Air Force

3E891: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist (3E891)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3E891 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)Familiarity with local and federal law enforcement protocols

Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Technician

$65K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Hazmat endorsementOSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certificationKnowledge of EPA regulations

Demolition Expert

$70K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State-specific blasting licensesExperience with controlled demolition techniquesSafety certifications

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technician

$78K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

UXO Technician certifications (levels 1-3, depending on experience and responsibilities)Knowledge of environmental regulations related to UXO remediation

Security Consultant

$72K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationStronger business acumenSales and marketing skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3E891 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

EOD technicians must constantly maintain awareness of their surroundings, including potential hazards, environmental factors, and the location of team members and equipment. This is critical for safety and mission success.

This translates to the ability to quickly assess complex environments, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions under pressure.

Rapid Prioritization

When responding to an EOD call, technicians must rapidly assess the situation, identify the most immediate threats, and prioritize actions to mitigate those threats effectively.

This is the ability to quickly evaluate competing demands, determine the most important tasks, and allocate resources accordingly.

Procedural Compliance

EOD operations rely on strict adherence to established procedures and protocols to ensure safety and prevent unintended consequences. This includes following checklists, using approved techniques, and documenting actions taken.

This translates into a commitment to following established guidelines, maintaining accuracy, and ensuring consistency in all tasks.

Degraded-Mode Operations

EOD technicians often operate in challenging environments with limited resources or equipment. They must be able to adapt to unexpected circumstances, troubleshoot problems, and find creative solutions to overcome obstacles.

This is the ability to maintain performance and achieve goals even when facing adversity, resource constraints, or unforeseen challenges.

Adversarial Thinking

When dealing with IEDs and other explosive devices, EOD technicians must think like the adversary to anticipate potential threats and develop effective countermeasures. This involves understanding the adversary's motivations, tactics, and capabilities.

This skill is about understanding potential risks and vulnerabilities from another point of view.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Risk Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been trained to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in high-pressure situations. Your experience in EOD operations makes you adept at developing comprehensive risk management plans and implementing effective safety protocols. You already understand the importance of planning, assessment, and mitigation. Your specialized knowledge would be invaluable in helping organizations protect their assets and personnel.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161

You're an expert in responding to emergencies and coordinating resources to mitigate the impact of disasters. Your experience in EOD operations has honed your leadership skills and ability to make critical decisions under pressure. You can leverage your expertise to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, train personnel, and coordinate with other agencies.

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051

You're accustomed to following strict procedures and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. Your experience in EOD operations has instilled in you a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. You can use your skills to develop and implement quality assurance programs, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that products and services meet or exceed customer expectations. Essentially, you've done QA where mistakes could be deadly.

Corporate Security Director

SOC 11-9199

You have extensive experience in threat assessment, security planning, and crisis management. Your background in EOD operations has equipped you with the skills to protect assets and personnel from a wide range of threats. You can leverage your expertise to develop and implement comprehensive security programs, train security personnel, and respond effectively to security incidents.

Training & Education Equivalencies

EOD School, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

1,680 training hours42 weeksUp to 27 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Explosive Theory and Effects
  • Basic Demolitions
  • Tools and Equipment of EOD
  • Conventional Ordnance Disposal
  • Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat
  • Chemical and Biological Ordnance Disposal
  • Nuclear Ordnance Disposal
  • Robotics and Remote Operations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)70% covered

Requires studying environmental regulations, hazardous waste management, and specific chemical handling procedures beyond explosives.

OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER80% covered

Requires familiarization with specific OSHA regulations, emergency response procedures, and site control specific to HAZWOPER.

Certified Explosives Specialist (CES)60% covered

Requires study in commercial explosive applications, regulatory compliance specific to the explosives industry, and blasting techniques outside of military EOD.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Incident Command System (ICS) 300/400Certified in Homeland Security (CHS)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
ANDROS F6A RobotHeavy-duty remote controlled robots for bomb disposal and hazardous materials handling
MED-ENG EOD 9 Bomb SuitDemining suit for protection during explosive material handling.
HazmatID ElitePortable chemical and explosive identifier
AN/PSS-14 Mine DetectorAdvanced metal detector for detecting buried objects
REMS (Remote Explosive Manipulation System)Teleoperated robotic arm systems for delicate handling of hazardous materials
EOD Bomb Disposal Tool SetSpecialized hand tools for disassembly and manipulation of explosive devices (available to certified professionals)
X-Ray Imaging System (portable)Portable X-ray machines for non-destructive inspection (security and industrial applications)

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