EOD 7-level course moves from Eglin to Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Explosive Ordinance Disposal 7-level craftsman course has been moved from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to Sheppard in order to make the instruction portion of the EOD career field more streamlined.

"This is more conducive to team leading operations and provides better continuity under the 366th Training Squadron," said Tech. Sgt. Roger Hughes, 366th TRS EOD 7-level instructor.
 
The course, meant to make non-commissioned officer's more effective in leadership positions, is aimed at building critical thinking skills and team building exercises.

"More and more, we are finding staff sergeant's placed in the team leader position," Hughes said." With our operational tempo we just don't have enough technical sergeant's to fill that role."
 
The class itself covers topics such as operational risk management, Environmental Protection Agency permits and how to overall run a team during both low-risk and high-risk situations.
 
"We want to get a standard skill set for team leaders, Hughes said. "We're making sure these guys know their manning."

Having the course at Sheppard also makes teaching less difficult for instructors.

"It works out having it closer to the 366th TRS," Hughes said. "It definitely makes life a lot easier for us."

Hughes enjoys giving practical advice to those he teaches by passing on the operational experiences that he has had.
 
"I provide insight from a team leader's perspective," Hughes said. "They learn from what I did well, and what I would've done better."
 
Hughes counts confidence, knowledge and adaptability as some of the traits needed for the job.
 
"The first thing is having a thorough understanding of the job itself," Hughes said. "Having confidence in skill sets so you can make the right decision and identify what's going to accomplish the mission."

Hughes believes that the ability to augment a team leader's understanding of the job increases the readiness of objectives they are tasked to accomplish.

"As the wars have progressed, we've noticed trends and adapted to them," Hughes said. "We grow our team leaders so that when they fill these roles they're well-rounded."