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Bomb disposal experts: the bravest of the

brave?

As we prepare to send a further 500 soldiers

to Afghanistan, Thomas Harding on the secretcourse he took that selects bomb disposal

experts for the Army.

By Thomas Harding

Published: 10:45PM GMT 02 Dec 2009

Joint Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams save lives in Afghanistan Photo:

Staff Sergeant Mike Harvey

Many soldiers cannot fathom why people volunteer to become bomb disposal

experts, knowing that they are closer to death or maiming than anyone else.

Even after five years of covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is still an enigma

to me. What is clear, though, is that like Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid who died in

October while defusing his 65th IED (improvised explosive device) these people

have an inner self-belief reinforced by exceptional altruism towards their fellow

soldiers.

As the Government announced plans to send a further 500 soldiers to Afghanistan,

Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff, emphasised yesterday

on Radio 4's Todayprogramme just how crucial our counter-IED operation is. "It is

essential that we put in place the right protection for our people," he said. "It isessential that they have the right tactics, techniques and procedures [to counter the

IED threat]."

Indeed, bomb disposal experts are giving the British force in Helmand a chance of

securing the peace by doing what must be one of the most hazardous jobs in one of

the world's most dangerous places. So how do the Armed Forces find t he right blend

of calm, intelligence, skill and courage before they place these people in harm's way?

To find out, The Daily Telegraphwas given unprecedentedaccess to the confidential

selection process for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers at Q inetiQ, the

military research company where psychometric testing weeds out the applicants.

"It's about composure under pressure, absolute focus with underlying courage and

bravery," said Mark Stead of QinetiQ. "Psychology and physiology are all part of it

you cannot have shaky hands."

I took the psychometric tests and further evaluation at QinetiQ's headquarters in a

large wood outside Farnborough.

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First up was the 30-minute "abstract resasoning test" to find similarities and

differences in groups of t riangles, circles and some rather odd shapes. My initial

cockiness was soon replaced by confusion, and in an attempt to get at least some of

the multiple choice questions right, I answered all 115 rapidly.

Next, I tried out a TALON bomb disposal robot (ma chines that take the brunt of

bombings on the front line). I managed, after an hour's effort, to get the robot's

mechanical arm to stack one traffic cone on top of the other.

Then I met Paula Brown, an occupational psychologist at QinetiQ. She asked how I

had found the abstract reasoning and suggested that if I'd gone more slowly, I might

have got more answers right. So how bad was my score? "Out of the 'managerial and

professionals' comparison group that we have measured you against, you're score is

better than 40 per cent. You are just above the 'below average' bracket."

She then pulled out the results of my "occupational personality questionnaire".

"Staying within the rules is problematic for you. You are more inclined than the

general population to break the rules or bend them, which I suppose makes sensefor the job you do.

"You have a strong preference for expressing your own views," Brown continued. I

am apparently "insensitive to criticism" and will not "fall apart" if shouted out. So

based on my results, and with caveats, might she put me forward?

"There is nothing standing out as a major concern, but your failure to follow the

rules would worry me," she said. "If you get the wrong person in the wrong job, it

could mean that the wrong decision kil ls someone."

Being able to work calmly under extreme physical and mental pressure and tomaintain concentration, and the ability to process information, are the key

requirements for EOD personnel. Lt Col Rick Davies, commanding officer of the

Defence Explosive Munitions Search School at Kineton, said: "A strong sense of

humour in the face of adversity also helps. Most operators acknowledge that their

work may be perceived as dangerous, but they are highly trained to minimise the

danger. Self-preservation and the safety of their team and fellow troops are

significant motivators.

"It may seem strange to the outside world, but they often view the infantry role as

more dangerous, due to the unpredictability of patrolling. Our operators will

understand what they are facing when they make the 'long walk', and will haveplanned accordingly."

Despite all the training it can still go wrong, as S/Sgt Schmid's death testifies, but the

previous 64 bombs he secured so courageously saved countless other lives.