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Norfolk, Va. – Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians from EOD Mobile Unit 12 participated in Career Day at Norfolk Christian School Oct. 16.
Lt.j.g. Sam Miller and EOD1 Cole Savas spent most of the morning interacting with over 160 middle schoolers and dozens of staff members, describing what an EOD Technician does in the U.S. Navy.
“It was heavy, and it was hot ‘cause it was really thick,” said seventh grader Jared Goodman, who tried on a bomb suit. He enjoyed the presentation and being able to interact with the display Miller and Savas had brought: bomb disposal suit and helmet, and several robots. “It’s really cool and fun.
I wanted to be in the military when I was a little kid.”
Makenzie Hayes, an eighth grader, also tried on the suit.
“It was really fun, the experience of being in it and seeing what these guys wear,” Hayes said. “Seeing that you can actually move in it. It’s really heavy!” Hayes, a softball catcher, saw similarities between her softball gear and the bomb suit. “It was bigger, and hotter, and a lot heavier. A lot less maneuverable, I can say.”
“I think it takes a lot of guts,” continued Hayes, reflecting on a short video that Miller and Savas used to introduce their presentation. “I wouldn’t jump out of a plane. I’m scared of heights!”
Miller and Savas jumped at the chance to share their perspectives and experiences with sixth, seventh and eighth graders at the school.
“It’s nice, especially now that I have a kid, to come out and give the students an idea of what we do,” said Savas. “With all that’s on TV today, it’s nice to have real people come out and talk about real things.”
Miller, who recently arrived at EODMU12 from the training pipeline, enjoyed the event.
“It was a blast,” said Miller. “I had a great time. Just seeing how excited the kids got with everything, trying on the bomb suit, playing with the robots.”
Jennifer Newman, middle school volunteer coordinator, facilitated the event.
“I think they were engaged,” Newman said of the EOD presentation. “It was an interactive activity—which helps. It’s better than having someone just stand up and speak about a career choice. The kids can actually experience some of the pieces of what EOD does.”
Newman and many of the students expressed interest in having EOD return the following year, along with a desire to learn more about the explosive ordnance disposal community.
“I think it’s good—you guys can go to different places, see different places and do fun things,” said Hayes. “I’m definitely interested. Definitely considering it.”
U.S. Navy EOD deploys to conduct EOD, mine countermeasure and diving operations for numbered fleet commanders and combatant commanders throughout the world.
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2015 13:43 |
| Story ID: | 179298 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, EODMU12 visits Norfolk Christian School for Career Day, by PO2 Benjamin Wooddy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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