At a glance
- Soldier
- engineering
Learn how to find and make safe unexploded devices at home and abroad as part of a highly trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search Team.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Search operators are the Royal Engineers' bomb disposal and high-risk search experts. Whether helping to make safe a World War II bomb found in a back garden, or locating and destroying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on operations, you'll be working as part of a highly skilled team. We'll teach you everything you need to know to help you start your specialism in this field. You'll also be part of a friendly Sapper family, enjoying sports, Adventurous Training and more.
EOD and Search is part of the Trade Roles of the Royal Engineers. All the Royal Engineer soldier job roles are divided into 5 groups. When you apply to the Engineers, you will apply to the trade group rather than the specific trade.
The Corps of Royal Engineers allows the Army to work all over the world, whether it's involved in active combat or disaster relief. The Corps are ‘first in’, setting up bases ready for the rest of the Army to arrive and ‘last out’, closing down patrol bases and military camps. The Corps is at the forefront in disaster-relief operations, effecting rapid repairs to damaged infrastructure in stricken areas.
Key Responsibilities
Study explosives and their properties
Learn how to locate and safely dispose of IEDs and manufactured munitions
Learn how to use specialised equipment including bomb disposal robots
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 42 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
No previous experience or formal qualifications are required, however you will be assessed on your numeracy and literacy. You will also undertake a trainability test to identify your suitability for this technical role.
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3m
MSFT (beep test) level 7.5
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm
MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8
Training for the role
Step 1
Basic Training consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.
Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre OR a nine-day residential course.
Module 2: Battlecamp. 15-day residential course at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.
Step 2
Then it's off to the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment near Camberley, Surrey. Here, you learn military engineering skills and complete the two-week Reservist Combat Engineer Foundation course, which teaches you engineering skills that you will call upon throughout your career.
Step 3
Finally, you go to the Defence EOD, Munitions and Search Training Regiment, Bicester, for two weeks. This is where you will train to become a specialist EOD & S team member.
All of the above training is delivered at a pace to suit your availability and it will be a two-way partnership with guidance from your Unit training team.
Qualifications you could get after training
Junior Management Qualifications
Army Physical Training Instructor
Adventurous Training Instructor Qualifications
Pay & benefits
You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and once you're a Private and increase as you rise through the ranks. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training, you're entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
How to Apply
When you decide to apply, your local unit will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.
To join, you have to apply online. The application process will take some time, but you can also ring the unit you're interested in joining - the team there will help often invite you to join them for drill nights, and you'll get support for your application.