EOD Academy Helps Army Mission

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EOD Academy Helps Army Mission
December 23, 2008
Army News Service

FORT CARSON, CO. -- A new group-level pilot program was put to the test at Fort Carson Dec. 2-5, to help the Army meet the increasing demand of explosive ordnance disposal resources in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

The Army EOD mission has more than doubled since Sept. 11, 2001, when taking into account the homeland defense and VIP protection missions stateside and the wartime missions overseas, according Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Taala, 242nd EOD Battalion at Fort Carson.

In order to meet the demand, the Army has turned to certifying sergeants to fill the role as EOD team leaders, a position traditionally held by staff sergeants. EOD team leaders are responsible for identifying explosive hazards, and then rendering them safe by disarming, transporting, or destroying them, all while safe-guarding life and property.

The 71st EOD Group-sponsored Team Leader Academy, consisting of six lanes of stateside and overseas combat scenarios, kicked off Dec. 2 with two main goals, according to Capt. Caleb Lewis, 242nd EOD operations officer. The first goal was to validate conducting the training at group level to help maximize resources during the continuous high operations tempo, rather than at battalion level. The second objective was to provide realistic scenarios to determine if a Soldier is ready to take that step from team member to team leader.

"Overall, the program went very well," Lewis said. "The Soldiers were very receptive."


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