Getting Schooled
Phase One - Fort Lee, Virginia
"Because your own strength is unequal to the task,
do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within
the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass
also." - Marcus Aurelius
Your training will begin at Fort Lee in Virginia. Phase 1 is ten
weeks, and it's purpose is to give you a foundation to be more
successful at Eglin. There are six annexes taught, and I'll get to
those in a moment. As far as being at FT Lee, the area is pretty
nice, Virginia Beach isn't too far away, and is a friendly city with
many businesses and restaurants.
Electronics
During this Annex, you will learn about electronics and circuits.
This is important when you get to IED Division in Phase 2. It
consists of computer-based training in electricity, circuit design,
electronics, and troubleshooting.
EOD Familiarization
You will never take as many notes in any other annex or division as
you will in this one. Here you learn all of the terms and
definitions, color codes, composition of munitions and explosives,
and principles of explosive effects that you will need to know for
the remainder of your EOD career. This is also the first time that
you will handle explosives and set off a charge at a demo range.
Identification of Munitions
There are over 200,000 different munitions in the world and you get
introduced to a few of them here. You will learn how to identify
their different classes, functions, and fuzing. You will also learn
which safeties need to be observed with each type of fuzing.
Reconnaissance
We don't just walk up to most UXOs, and we don't want to go up to it
more that we have to. In this annex, we learn how to properly
approach, describe, and research ordnance to find the correct
procedure to render it safe.
EOD Specific Tools and
Equipment
You probably already know what a pipe wrench is, but how about an
ARS, EOD 9, or a Packbot? There are many tools and pieces of
equipment that are unique to our field. The annex culminates with a
range day setting up and using your newly introduced tools.
Robots
We use four makes of robots in EOD. During this short annex,
you get to play with, I mean, practice using a few of them.
FTX - Field Training Exercise
All enlisted soldiers have to spend five days in a field training
exercise near the end Phase 1. You will go through scenarios along
with other MOS students training at Redstone. The best part of the
exercise is that one of those days is spent at the EOD range
learning some very useful stuff that isn't taught at Eglin.
Ok.
You've made it through Phase 1 and are feeling pretty
good about yourself. Maintain your confidence, drop any arrogance - Eglin
ain't easy.