In the Air Force:
Aerospace Medical Service; Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician; Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, F-15; Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, RPA (MQ-1/MQ-9); Civil Engineer, C2ISREW; Civil Engineer, Trainer; Missile And Space Systems Electronic Maintenance Helper; Munitions Systems Apprentice; Nuclear Weapons Manager; Security Forces Helper, Military Working Dog Handler
In the Army:
AH-64 Armament/Electrical/Avionics Systems Repairer; Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Crewmember; Armor; Cavalry Scout; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist; Indirect Fire Infantryman; Infantryman; Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember; Senior Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer/Senior Ordnance Logistics Warrant Officer; Special Forces Medical Sergeant
In the Marine Corps:
Aircraft Maintenance (Fixed-Wing); Artillery Systems Technician; Aviation Ordnance Officer; Combat Engineer; Field Artillery Operations Man; Ground Command and Control (C2) Operations NCO; Infantry Squad Leader; Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Repairer/Technician; Operations Chief; Rifleman
In the Navy:
(EOD) Apprentice Diver (Student Status); Armament Weapons Support Equipment Technician; CWO - Ordnance, Aviation; Division Officer, Weapons Department (General); Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Individual Augmentee/In Lieu Of (IA/ILO) Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training (NIACT)-Deployed; MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) Advanced Technician; Navy Diver; Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician; Staff Nuclear Weapons Officer; Torpedo Weapons Officer
Bringing down a building with the press of a button, or making a giant boulder disappear in a flash of light and sound, these controlled explosions may be sensational, but they can only go forward under the watchful eye of skilled explosives workers. They carefully plan and execute detonations to demolish structures or displace rock and other materials. Explosives workers examine a blast area to determine the amount and type of explosives to use, and to establish safety parameters. They prepare explosive materials, pack them into blast holes, and, after detonating, write detailed records to comply with local and federal laws regulating the use of explosives. Ordnance handlers move munitions and other explosive materials for storage or transportation, typically via rail car or airplane. Positions for these workers are located in construction companies, airlines and airplane manufacturers, rock and gravel quarries, the oil and gas industry, and the military. Explosives workers generally need a high school diploma or equivalent.
What they do:
Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.
On the job, you would:
Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
Place safety cones around blast areas to alert other workers of danger zones, and signal workers as necessary to ensure that they clear blast sites prior to explosions.
Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Engineering and Technology
product and service development
mechanical
Business
customer service
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
keep your arm or hand steady
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Self Control
Stress Tolerance
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Analytical or scientific software
Blaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's Calculator
DetNet ViewShot
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy.
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