The Belgian army announces that new soldiers can start work as EOD assistants (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) from 2026. These soldiers learn to identify, secure and neutralise explosives.
On the Defence news site, Commander Dirk Gunst, who is responsible for the training, explains what the assistants will learn. “They are trained to support EOD operators in their missions, including the preparation of explosives, maintaining intervention vehicles and providing first aid in the event of an accident involving explosives.”
9 weeks training
After the Military Initiation Phase (MIF), candidates will undergo specialised training lasting nine weeks. From 2026, this will be made available to new recruits, whilst today it is reserved for experienced soldiers.
“EOD assistants must not only master the techniques, but also deal with stress and delicate situations”, the Belgian army explains. “They are responsible for assessing the risks and implementing the method chosen by their team leader for handling explosives.” After two years, assistants can obtain the EOD certificate, to later progress to the position of EOD operator.
- More information about this training: https://www.mil.be/
- More information about jobs with the Belgian Army: https://www.mil.be/nl/werken-bij-defensie/alle-loopbanen/