MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Aug. 5, 2016) -- U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daquille Barzey-Ferguson and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Samnang Chang, Marine security guards with the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, went through an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician screening test at the EOD building at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, July 2-5, 2016.

After completing a physical fitness test, the two Marines donned an EOD-9 Advanced Bomb Suit and performed a bomb suit agility test, which included physical and memorization activities.

After completing the PFT and bomb suit agility test, Barzey-Ferguson and Chang went through a set of interviews with the EOD staff to prove they have what it takes to make the move from Marine security guard to become an EOD technician.

“The screening process is the same no matter who is conducting it and where it takes place,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Charlie Valentine, an EOD technician at MCAS Iwankuni and one of the Marines conducting the screening. “For the most part, it’s at least 20 minutes in the bomb suit, a test dictating how well the candidate’s comprehension is on instructions and interpretation, and an interview process that gages the candidates mental state and if they are mature enough for the job.”

Barzey-Ferguson and Chang completed the screening process during a week of high temperatures at MCAS Iwakuni. They were evaluated not only on their physical ability, but also how they dealt with being in the claustrophobic environment while inside the EOD-9 ABS and the constant tests on making calculations and memorization.

“The screening process is pretty thorough.” said Chang. “You have to do all the medical and physical qualifications before you even get to come out here, then when you come here, you have to get screened by the team here as well, and they also do a pretty thorough job.”

Marines who go through the EOD lateral move screening process come from different military occupational specialties and must go through a pre-screening with their career counselor before they start the screening process. The pre-screening includes a completion of the NAVMC 11361 EOD lateral move screening checklist, which has a general information, medical and security section.

“When I was back in Okinawa for the first time as a lance corporal, we had two EOD staff NCOs come in and do a whole talk discussing the job, and I thought it seemed pretty interesting,” said Barzey-Ferguson. “I’ve always been on and off about wanting to do it and now that I’m at the time in my career where I’m able to be screened to do so, I want to see if I got what it takes.”

For Barzey-Ferguson and Chang, the move to EOD is something they have committed to and are on their way to completing the process. The process is comprised of qualified volunteers from any MOS who have successfully completed the Marine Corps EOD lateral move screening process and have graduated Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

“If you’re looking for a challenge, if you’re looking for something that is physically demanding, mentally demanding in a constantly changing field and being extremely well-diverse in the tasks that are asked of you,” said Valentine. “This is the MOS for you.”