Researchers at the War Department's premier explosive ordnance disposal training school are making major strides in a landmark study focused on the effects of concussions and blast exposures among explosive ordnance disposal technicians.
Working directly with students at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the study has enrolled 1,908 participants since October 2022 — 95% of its target goal of 2,000.
The school, which trains approximately 1,350 students annually from all branches of the military, runs a rigorous eight-month training pipeline. The course is divided into eight technical divisions, with an additional underwater component for Navy students. The demanding physical and intellectual challenges of the program mirror the intensity of the EOD career field itself.
The enrollment strategy is tailored to this unique environment. The study team conducts recruitment briefings at multiple places, including Army, Marine, and Air Force indoctrinations, range indoctrination, and the Advanced Improvised Explosive Devices Division course for operational EOD technicians. They also partner annually with the local base EOD shop to engage service members after permanent change of station.
"Meeting students where they are — literally and figuratively — has been critical," said Sarah Delgado, one of the researchers supporting the study. "The training schedule is relentless, and even small barriers, like running across campus to our office, can make follow-up participation difficult."
Currently, the study maintains a 36% follow-up rate. While distance and the high demands of the curriculum pose challenges, the team is countering them through consistent community engagement. Staff members volunteer at major schoolhouse functions and teach classes tied directly to their research expertise, building credibility and trust within the EOD community.
This study group is the newest addition to the Concussion, Assessment, Research and Education Consortium's service member initiative, otherwise known as the CARE Consortium. Unlike previous groups, the EOD cohort represents enlisted service members with high cumulative exposure to blast and explosions over the course of their careers — making them a particularly important population for understanding brain health risks.
Leaders and instructors at the school are key partners in reinforcing the importance of the study.
"EOD technicians are expected to perform at the highest levels in some of the most dangerous environments imaginable," said Navy Lt. Colin McNamara, senior medical officer at the school. "Supporting this research is about more than collecting data — it's about protecting the long-term health and readiness of our force."
With recruitment nearing completion, these efforts mark a significant step forward in addressing one of the most pressing health concerns for today's warfighters: the long-term effects of concussions and blast exposure.