If I am not mistaken it is a violation of General order Number 1 in any deployed theater for non-EOD personnel to handle, dispose or any in way form or fashion attempt to deal with UXO or an IED. Also, when engineers or other Soldiers blow up IED's  all the evidence that is needed to help find the people placing the devices is now gone, because these Soldiers are not trained to conduct post blast investigations. When disposing of UXO, the type by function of ordnance items found on the battle field can boggle the mind with the complexities of fillers, functions and armed/unarmed states. Also, No soldiers other than EOD have the required publications to effectively render safe or conduct a PROPER DISPOSAL. Also, for the Soldier who made the claim that a superior officer ordered them to "do EOD work", that is called an unlawful order and should not be followed. Did you know that several hundred chemical filled artillery rounds have been found in Iraq and a few in IEDs. Do you as an Engineer know what a chemical round looks like?

I am a former member of the bomb sqaud of the South African Police  (17 years on the ground and training experience). We have done disposals, rendering safe, destruction, investigation of scenes of explosions ect on limpet mines, hand grenades, vehicle bombs, landmines, pipe bombs,IED, ect. I also have done some EOD. BAC, Demining ect. You are actually in the same game, so why don't you guys (ssmith and EOD james take hands and try to teach each other). Although it is not the same job there are a lot of similarities between EOD and IED

I have to say reading this really scares me. My son...a new basis training grad is headed to Afghanistan to do route clearance. No training, no school...and sent to war. Is this the type of support I can count on him receiving? It was not his decision to become a US Army Engineer and to be sent to detect IED on his first mission but I would hope that ALL members (battle buddies) would do their best to ensure that everyone had ALL means at their disposal to remain safe and to return alive. Not to worry about who gets incentives, who is better at what job, and  who is a "wannabe". He just wants to learn his job and do the best that he can at it. I resent the fact that you would consider an engineer a "monkey" placing a CO2 charge. He is willing to learn and to go to ANY school that the Army would give him the opportunity to attend. Instead, "Uncle Sam" feels he is needed to put his life on the line 4 weeks out of basic training. ssmith, please step up and help these young men to become better soldiers and bring them back home ALIVE..that is the number one mission!!!

Thanks from an Army Mom!!!