Creed of the
Noncommissioned Officer



No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army."

I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind--accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!


Promotion to Staff Sergeant!
Chad Vervaet
SSG Craig Ward....SFC Eric Lawson...Captain Matt Geraci
in attentence!


September 1, 1999
Captain Matt Geraci and Staff Sergeant Chad E. Vervaet

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE SCHOOL

An open letter to those officers considering the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialty

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) field is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for officers who want to operate in an intense environment or be extremely challenged. The EOD field requires officers who can operate independently. We want self-starters with initiative and intelligence. We are also looking for officers who like to work with their hands and use various specialized tools, equipment and devices.

Our mission is to render safe unexploded ordnance found on and off the battlefield, whether it is a conventional, chemical, biological or nuclear ordnance item. We also respond to calls to render safe improvised explosive devices (IEDs), also known as homemade bombs. We support the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) in its mission to protect the president, vice president and other VIPS designated by the USSS. EOD companies work regularly with civil law enforcement authorities nationwide in eliminating the hazards of unexploded ordnance and IEDs.

We operate worldwide, and have recurring missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kuwait. We work closely with the EOD units located OCONUS in Hawaii, Korea, Alaska, Panama, the Sinai and Germany. Our units also are deployed regularly in support of humanitarian demining operations with special operations forces.

Our career field is unique within the Army. It has been said that we are the Army’s face seen every day by our supported American public. This is true. In 1998, we responded to more than 6000 incidents on and off post. That's an average of three incidents per day per company.

Where are these companies, and who is assigned to them, you might ask? We cover the states from coast to coast¾ currently numbering at 37 companies, and will activate 3 new companies in FY 00. We are located on every divisional post in the Army and also found on other FORSCOM, TRADOC, AMC, Air Force, Navy, and NASA installations located across the country. There is one officer assigned¾ the commander, who is assisted by a 1SG, an operations NCO, a training NCO and six teams led by a SSG. The EOD soldiers are complemented by an administrative specialist, a wheeled mechanic and a supply sergeant.

These 37 companies are assigned to one of four EOD battalions located at Fort Dix, NJ; Fort Gillem, GA; Fort Sam Houston, TX; and Fort Lewis, WA. The battalions have traditional staffs, to include a Military Intelligence officer and NCO, administrative specialists, and a supply warrant officer and NCOs. The Battalions are centrally designated promotions list (CDPL) commands; each year two LTCs are selected for command. The group headquarters is located at Fort Gillem, GA, and is, likewise, comprised of a standard Brigade staff.

The EOD School is a multi-service school operated by the U.S. Navy at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The Army is responsible for the portion of the school at Redstone Arsenal, AL. It is eight months long and requires good study skills. Officers and enlisted personnel go through the same rigorous training regardless of service, with the exception of USN personnel who undergo dive training and more in-depth training on underwater ordnance.

The reward of being EOD is having the opportunity to serve with the best soldiers in the world¾ highly trained volunteers who are self-motivated. Every single member of the EOD community is a volunteer who desires to work in the EOD field. You can get immediate satisfaction from this career choice by knowing that you made a dangerous situation safe for other soldiers and the American public we serve.

Links to other sites on the Web

HOME EOD THE FLAG SOLDIER'S ROAD
SSGT CHAD E.VERVAET EOD UNIT OUR FAMILY

SERGEANT AND STAFF SERGEANT PROMOTION NAME LIST!
UNITED STATES ARMY TOTAL PERSONNEL
SALUTE TO OUR ARMED FORCES

ARMY INFORMATION CENTER


E.O.D. SCHOOL

707th E.O.D. HOMEPAGE

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