DigitalKnight:
Having spent the late 1950's and early to mid-1960's as an active combined CBW (chemical & biological warefare) and EOD (conventional & nuclear) qualified NCO, I can tell you with some certainty that in spite of the obvious dangers in EOD activities, many if not most of the injuries and deaths of EOD personnel are a result of their own carelessness. A cardinal rule (at least then) was to do your own work with explosives and not rely on someone else to do it correctly.......that usually keeps the arms and legs and lives intact.
The EOD school training (then at Indian Head, Maryland Naval Propellent Plant) was long and ardiuous......some eighteen weeks in all to include conventional and nuclear ordnance......with a wash-out of 50%+ of our class. Before you take this on, be sure in your own mind that you can handle the classwork and have the mental set to deal with potentially very deadly materials. On top of this, you will require a high security clearance that the Air Force will put you through.....if there is anything in your background that will prevent the clearance, be up front about it and find something else to do. Whatever you do, don't go into EOD just for the apparent glamour....there isn't a whole lot of that available!
Lastly, if you do get into EOD, you should find civilian jobs that will fit and EOD background, either with Federal and State governments, police departments, or civilian firms dealing with explosives.
Good luck to you with whatever you decide.
Orenda
