Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, & Blasters

realistic interests explosives clean equipment safety laws blast hole fuses charge place cones dynamite

Blast Hole Driller, Blaster, Explosive Technician, Powderman

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Aerospace Medical Service; Aerospace Medical Service Helper; Aircraft Armament Systems; Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, B-52/B-2; Civil Engineer, ABM; Civil Engineer, RPA; Missile And Space Systems Electronic Maintenance Apprentice, ICBM; Munitions and Missile Maintenance; Nuclear Weapons Journeyman; Security Forces Helper, Combat Arms
AH-64 Armament/Electrical/Avionics Systems Repairer; Ammunition Specialist; AVENGER Crewmember (USAR/NG only); Combat Engineer; Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist; Indirect Fire Infantryman; Land Combat Electronic Missile System Repairer; 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
Aviation Survival Technician; Diver; Diving Specialist; Gunner's Mate; Marine Safety Specialist Deck; Marine Safety Specialist Engineer; Port and Facility Safety and Security; Weapons Specialty
Aircraft Maintenance (Fixed-Wing); Artillery Systems Technician; Aviation Ordnance Officer; Combat Engineer; Field Artillery Operations Man; Ground Operations Specialist; Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Master Gunner; Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Gunner; Ordnance Quality Assurance/Safety Observer; Rifleman
(EOD) Apprentice Diver (Student Status); Antisubmarine Weapons Officer; Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) Phalanx Block 1B Baseline 2 Technician; Division Officer, Weapons Department (Gunnery); Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Individual Augmentee/In Lieu Of (IA/ILO) Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training (NIACT)-Not Deployed; Master EOD Technician; MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) Advanced Technician (VAT); SO Candidate; Staff Nuclear Weapons Officer; Torpedoman’s Mate (TM) Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO)
Aircraft Armament Systems; Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, B-1; Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, F-35; Aircraft Armament Systems Helper; Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, B-52/B-2; Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, F/A-22; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Apprentice; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Superintendent; Munitions Systems Helper; Nuclear Weapons Apprentice
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.

Knowledge

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

Skills

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

Abilities

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

Personality

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

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Analytical or scientific software

  • Blaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's Calculator
  • DetNet ViewShot

Education

high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:

$61,590
$42,670
$89,400
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