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7485 Career Guide

Navy

7485: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer

Career transition guide for Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer (7485)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7485 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Bomb Technician

$85K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian certificationsLocal law enforcement regulations

Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Technician

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA certificationsEPA regulations

Demolition Expert

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State-specific blasting licensesCommercial demolition techniques

Safety Manager

$80K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Project management

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technician

$90K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

40-hour HAZWOPER certificationSpecific UXO certifications related to civilian projects

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7485 training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an EOD officer, you constantly assess threats and determine the order in which to address them, making split-second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.

This ability to quickly evaluate situations and prioritize tasks translates to high-pressure civilian roles where decisions need to be made swiftly and decisively.

Situational Awareness

You maintain constant awareness of your surroundings, including potential hazards, team member status, and environmental factors, to ensure mission success and safety.

Your heightened awareness allows you to quickly grasp complex situations, anticipate potential problems, and proactively address them.

Procedural Compliance

EOD work demands strict adherence to established procedures and safety protocols to minimize risk and ensure consistent outcomes. Deviations can be catastrophic.

Your dedication to following established protocols and procedures demonstrates a commitment to safety, quality, and reliability.

System Modeling

Understanding how explosive devices function, their potential failure modes, and the interactions between different components is critical for successful EOD operations.

Your ability to understand and model complex systems makes you well-suited for roles that involve designing, analyzing, and optimizing processes or products.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Risk Management Consultant

SOC 13-2054.00

You've been trained to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in high-stakes environments. Your experience with explosives and hazardous materials translates directly to helping organizations develop and implement effective risk management strategies. You are accustomed to high levels of procedural compliance and accountability.

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've consistently demonstrated the ability to remain calm under pressure and effectively manage emergency situations. Your expertise in explosive ordnance disposal makes you uniquely qualified to lead emergency response efforts, coordinate resources, and ensure the safety of the public.

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

Your impeccable commitment to safety and strict adherence to protocols position you perfectly to ensure high standards in quality assurance. You're accustomed to analyzing complex systems, identifying potential points of failure, and implementing corrective measures.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

1,360 training hours34 weeksUp to 24 semester hours recommended in explosives technology, hazardous materials handling, and emergency management.

Topics Covered

  • Basic Explosives and Ordnance
  • Demolitions
  • Land Mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
  • Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
  • Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents
  • Underwater EOD Operations
  • Airborne EOD Techniques
  • EOD Robotics and Tooling

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)70% covered

CHMM requires in-depth knowledge of environmental regulations (RCRA, CERCLA, TSCA), hazardous waste management, pollution prevention, and toxicology. Study these areas to fill the gaps in your EOD training.

OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER75% covered

While EOD training provides a strong foundation, review specific OSHA regulations, confined space entry procedures, and site control plans to fully meet HAZWOPER requirements.

Project Management Professional (PMP)40% covered

Focus on the five process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing) and ten knowledge areas (Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder Management) as defined by the PMI PMBOK.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Associate Safety Professional (ASP)Certified Explosives Specialist (CES)Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
MK20 Mod 0 Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA)Commercial diving rebreather systems for underwater work
ANDROS F6A Remote Ordnance Disposal SystemBomb disposal robots used by law enforcement and private security
EOD Individual Protective Equipment (IPE)Bomb suit with blast-resistant materials
Advanced Bomb Suit (ABS)EOD protective gear with enhanced mobility and communication
AN/PSS-14 Mine Detecting SetHandheld metal detectors and ground penetrating radar (GPR) for locating buried objects
ChemPro100i Chemical DetectorHandheld chemical agent detectors used by HAZMAT teams
MED-ENG EOD 9 Bomb SuitAdvanced bomb suit with integrated cooling and communication systems

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