I am very upset at this point and looking for any kind of information or guidance. My son recently enlisted in the army. He is leaving on February 11 and will be stationed in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. He has had some problems in the past and the signing bonuses, paying off student loans, etc. that he was promised were very enticing. He is very intelligent and is about 8 credits away from having a degree in Mathematics. He told me over and over that he was going to try for something in logistics or intelligence. Now he comes home and says that he has signed his papers and the job he chose was demolition. I said oh no, that's very dangerous. He said that when he is in the states (which he assures me will be most of the time) that he will work to assure that places where dignetaries and the such are staying are safe. He said that if he has to go overseas that all he will be doing is getting rid of structures. I don't believe this for a second. Can someone please tell me what the description of this job is? My family is in quite an upheaval because now that he has signed there is nothing that can be done. They say that it is one of the most dangerous jobs that he could have picked, that he will get an arm or leg blown up...that it's a suicide mission. I am at wits end and just crying my eyes out. Any information that anyone can give me will be very much appreciated.

Do you know if he's going in EOD, MOS 89D? There are always openings in that MOS & usually good bonuses. Dangerous? Yeah, but then again you can say that the whole military is dangerous regardless what MOS you hold.

Demoliltion is also used in Combat Engineers & Infantry to a certain extent, & probably other MOSs as well.

In any event he'll receive the best training possible so he'll be safe as possible.

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

Yes, he is going into EOD, MOS 89D. Thanks for the input. I'm still very worried and get sick to my stomach every time I think about it. They gave him a very good signing bonus and promised to pay off student loans. That's one of the main reasons he chose this I think. He is 30 years old and in addition to serving his country it will also get him back on his feet and put him on the right track.

You just have to believe he'll be alright & the Army will certainly put him back on his feet.

I did underwater demolitions in the Navy & Airborne Infantry in the Army both dangerous jobs to a degree & after 27 years of that I came out OK, a few bruises, a wrenched back from being too close to an underwater explosion, bumps, scrapes but nothing lasting & permanent. It was always a minor injury & I was always able to carry on the mission & get treatment later.

I think I got worse injuries in wrestling & judo. I'm of the age where arthritis can start to be bothersome but so far only minor aches & pains. I can tell you I know each place in my body where I got injured but it's not bad at all.

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.