Apprentice Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Bomb Technician (EOD)
Category / Component: Enlisted • Active

Overview
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians locate, identify, render safe, and dispose of explosive threats on land, at sea, and underwater, using advanced robotics, diving, and explosives skills to protect forces and civilians and support fleet and joint operations worldwide.

Key Responsibilities
Detonate and demolish hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics, and outdated explosives; neutralize ordnance including sea mines, torpedoes, depth charges, and improvised explosive devices; remotely disable unsafe ordnance using robotic and diagnostic technology; conduct parachute and helicopter insertion operations; clear waterways of mines in support of ships and submarines; provide explosive ordnance support to law enforcement agencies and organizations such as the United States Secret Service and Department of State.

What to Expect
Global missions in every environment, from parachuting into remote terrain to arriving by small boat on foreign shores; majority of time spent in the field conducting high risk, time critical tasks with strict safety and risk management; regular integration with Special Operations, fleet units, and interagency partners; intense physical and mental demands with a culture that values precision, calm decision making, and discipline.

Work Environment
Operate worldwide on land, at sea, and underwater from EOD Mobile Units and detachments; insert via parachute, helicopter, and small boats; work from ships, shore commands, and forward locations; serve in small team based units that balance training, readiness, and operational tasking with limited administrative overhead compared to field work.

Pathways, Training & Advancement
Recruit Training followed by an EOD preparatory course at Great Lakes, Illinois, that builds swimming, conditioning, small boat skills, and risk management fundamentals; EOD Assessment and Selection Course that evaluates aquatic adaptability, running, swimming, academics, professionalism, and teamwork; Navy diver training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center; Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, which covers demolition, conventional ordnance, underwater mines, missiles, landmines, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; Basic Parachute Training and ongoing advanced training and qualifications throughout a career.
Apply for the Navy Warrior Challenge contract for EOD during initial enlistment, then pass the EOD Physical Screening Test and diver medical screening; complete required assessments and receive recommendation and screening from an EOD officer or senior enlisted EOD technician; additional in service accession requirements may include minimum time on board, performance standards, and command endorsement.

Qualifications
All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include:

Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy
A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor’s or qualifying professional degree for officer positions
Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy. Some communities have more restrictive age ranges
Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards
Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening
Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs
Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator
Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include:
Eyesight correctable within EOD diving standards, with no color blindness; qualifying ASVAB scores using combinations such as arithmetic reasoning and verbal expression or general science, mechanical comprehension, and electronics information; age typically 30 or younger at accession; United States citizenship and eligibility for a security clearance; excellent physical condition and swimming ability, with the capacity to perform detailed technical tasks under stress and in hazardous environments.

Education
Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the Sailor’s status, training, and current Navy policy.

Pay, Benefits & Service
Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options. Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.

Incentives
Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.

Notes and Disclaimers
This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community. It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes. Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.