Navy Special Operations

 

The Special Operations community is divided into five categories:

      Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

      Mine Countermeasures (MCM)

      Diving and Salvage (D&S)

      Expendable Ordnance Management (EOM)

 

EOD Mission

      The EOD mission is to eliminate hazards from ordnance which jeopardize operations conducted in support of national military strategy by providing specially trained, combat ready, highly mobile forces. They are trained at EOD school at Fort Eglin, Florida, in detection, rendering safe, field evaluation and disposal of US and foreign conventional, chemical and nuclear ordnance.

      EOD technicians can be expected to complete a variety of missions such as:

 

1. Deploy aboard various platforms in support of a Carrier Battle  Group (CVBG) or Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

2. Deploy for support operations ashore such as general ordnance handling, live fire training and range clearance.

3. Deploy in response to military and civilian incidents and accidents ashore involving underwater and surface ordnance, nuclear and chemical weapons and improvised explosive devices.

4. Serve aboard Mine Countermeasures platforms in support of mine warfare.

5. Training in support of Fleet marine Mammal Operations.

6. Diving operations utilizing the Mk 16 UBA, a low-magnetic, low-acoustic diving apparatus:

      a. Diving operations in support of basic ship husbandry.

b. Operations in support of downed aircraft and personnel recovery.

c. Mine Operations.

            7. Actions in support of US Secret Service Missions.

 

EOD/Special Operations Organization

      EOD is divided into two EOD groups, one on the east coast and one on the west coast.  Each group is subdivided into EOD Mobile Units (EODMU) which are further divided into detachments, or "dets."  A detachment is the main operating unit a comprised of one officer and approximately six-eight enlisted EOD technicians.

 

COMEODGRU ONE                       COMEODGRU TWO

EODMU 3 (San Diego, CA)             EODMU 2 (Little Creek, VA)

EODMU 5 (Guam)                      EODMU 6 (Charleston, SC)

EODMU 11 (Whidbey Island, WA)       EODMU 8 (Sigonella, Italy)

 

Two reserve units, one per coast, are also in operation.

 

Special Operations Pipeline

      Both men and women are eligible for a Special Operations designation, although women do not have the option of serving aboard MCM platforms at this time.  Enlisted personnel must attain the E-4 pay grade to begin EOD training.  A Special Operations Officer (Desig. 1140) follows a vigorous pipeline.

 

      1. Basic Dive Officer School, NDSTC Panama City, FL.

      2. Surface Warfare Officer School, Newport, RI.

      3. Division Officer tour aboard MCM, MHC or ARS.

      4. EOD School, Ft. Eglin, FL.

      5. EOD Mobile Unit tour.

 

Fleet Marine Mammal System (MMS)

      Utilized to fulfill Navy missions when hardware is inadequate or when safety is an issue.  The MMS is located in San Diego, CA, and consists of the following:

      1. MK 4 - dolphin mine-searching system that detects locations of moored mines.

      2. MK 5 - sea lion mine-recovery system that locates pingered mines up to 1000 foot depths.

      3. MK 6 - dolphin swimmer and diver detection system that can detect an intruder.

      4. MK 7 - dolphin mine-searching system that can detect bottom mines.

     

Diving and Salvage

      Centered around the ARS 50 Safeguard-class ships. 

 

Expendable Ordnance Management

      Responsible for moving/positioning ordnance and overseeing complex ordnance operations.

 

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Source: Fourth-class Professional Reference Manual, Spring 1999.