JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA –
Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron provided a hands-on mission briefing to cadets at the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, April 3, 2018.
The goal was to educate cadets working toward engineering degrees about a possible career opportunity after graduation in the EOD career field and how science, technology, engineering and mathematics play a role in the EOD mission.
“It was a great opportunity to have these EOD Airmen come and provide a demonstration,” said retired Col. Ronald W. Welch, Citadel dean of engineering. “It shows how different realms of engineering, such as electrical, mechanical and civil come together into one job.”
The EOD Airmen brought various examples of diffused ordnance, a bomb suit, a Micro Tactical Ground Robot and other equipment they used to demonstrate different elements of their job. The Airmen also discussed other mission sets within the career field and related them to the different genres of engineering.
“My hope is the cadets discovered a potential career field they might have a passion for,” said Welch.
Cadets had the opportunity to try on the bomb suit and received a demonstration of the Micro Tactical Ground Robot, a compact robot designed for explosive ordnance reconnaissance.
“It was a great opportunity to see one of the jobs within the civil engineer career field,” said Cadet Kelbey Oakes. “Definitely something I would be interested in pursuing at some point in my career.”
For the EOD Airmen, the demonstrations highlighted their occupation and was a chance to convey their role, at home and abroad, to the future of the force.
“It was fulfilling to share what we do with the cadets,” said Staff Sgt. Taylor Quinn, 628th CES EOD technician.” It is always a pleasure to outline the mission of EOD outside of detonating ordnances.”
The relationship between JB Charleston and the Citadel, as well as other educational institutions, provides insight into the Air Force and enhances educational experiences. Demonstrations and community relations efforts such as this one serve as recruitment opportunities and allows JB Charleston to play a supplementary role in the education of the surrounding community.
“It was a rewarding experience sharing my knowledge and perspective as an EOD tech,” said Quinn. “I look forward to future opportunities to get out into the community and teach them what we do.”