Psychological Service at the German EOD Center

Psychological Service at the German EOD Center

Mag. rer. nat. Nicola von Lüdinghausen, German Armed ForcesIAMPS 2018

Outline

• Explosive ordnance defense in the German Army

• The EOD training unit

– Mission

– Location

• Psychological Service and lessons

Explosive ordnance defense

Explosive ordnance defense covers alls measures to

counter any threat by explosive ordnance to

• protect own units and installations

• promote mobility and freedom of action on mission.

Explosive ordnance threat - examples

Basic capabilities – every soldier

The soldier

• is aware of the threat by explosive ordnance

• can navigate through explosive ordnance infested areas

• can conduct EOR tasks under supervision, such as search,

localization, object description, marking and reporting of

explosive ordnance.

Advanced capabilities – all units

Specially trained personnel

• search, localization, identification, marking and reporting of

unexploded ordnance.

• advising the officer in charge of all necessary precautions

and measures to enable safety to own troops.

• requesting EOD personnel.

• training soldiers in the basic capabilities of explosive

ordnance defense.

Search, identification and clearance of explosive ordnance on site, in

context of combat support.

Primary objective: Promotion of own mobility

In case of suspicion of NBC weapons the task must be forwarded to

specialized EOD personnel.

Qualified capabilities –

Explosive ordnance clearance EOC

Search, identification, site exploitation, recovery and

disposal of unexploded ordnance (while preventing

collateral damage), as well as disposing of damaged or

unsafe to handle ammunition.

Primary objective: Protection of own units and

installations

Qualified capabilities –

Explosive ordnance disposal EOD

9

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training unit -

Stetten am kalten Markt


Mission

The Explosive ordnance disposal training unit is the centraltraining facility for explosive ordnance defense anddisposal in the Bundeswehr.

• Conducts the training for all basic, advanced andqualified explosive ordnance defense capabilities,

• operates a Training centre and a Documentary centre forexplosive ordnance defense,

• assists in further development of tactics, techniques andprocedures,

• and provides and deploys EOD personnel to all missions.

• Lessons and trainings

• Advising and coaching programs

• Pre-deployment preparation

• Post-deployment support

• Expert in Psychological Matters

• Care for soldier‘s relatives

Tasks:


Psychologist

Supports the EOD personnel with coping psychological

stress and burdens, so the safety and confidence in fulfilling

their assignment is strengthened.

Commander

Staff EOD Ops Coy

CBRN EOD

platoon

MDD

Training Unit

Instructors

Class 61

Class 65

Class 62

Class 63

Class 64

Psychologist

Supply Unit

Supply

Logistics

Maintenance

Motorpool

Training

Centre

Documentary

Centre

Conception

Training

evaluation

MEAT

Class 66

EDD 1

EDD 2

Media & PR

EOD Support


Structure

Instructors

S1-S6

Supervisor

Training

coordinationRecording /

evaluation

Validation /

provision

ReserveTraining assist

Training centre

engineers

support

Instructor


Courses

EOD Officercourse

EOD NCOcourse

Team leaderExplosive ordnance

defensecourse

Squad leaderExplosive ordnance

defensecourse

Tactical siteexploitation

course

Road clearance systemmanipulator operating

course

Road clearance systemdetector operating

course

Road clearance KAI operating course

EORcourse C-IED trainer

course

Licence maintaining

Training Unit

EOD NCO course

20 weeks

EOD NCO course

EOD contens:

• Controlling and operating EOD gear and equipment.

• Conducting EOD procedures.

• Leading a EOD squad.

• Obtaining the explosive ordnance defense licence.

Psychological lessons:

• Stress and stressmanagement (support by CHARLY)

• Examination of the fact to die or become wounded in

the mission

→ includes visit of the forensics

EOD Officer course

14 weeks

EOD officer course

EOD contents:

• Familiar with the EOD gear and equipment.

• Familiar with EOD tactics and procedures.

• Operating a EOD coordination cell.

• Advising his superior officers in terms of EOD.

• Obtaining the explosive ordnance defense licence

. Psychological lessons:

• Stress and stressmanagement (support by CHARLY)

• Examination of the fact to die or become wounded in the

mission

• Accept responsibility to choose EOD NCO teams to defuse

→ includes visit of the forensics

Chaos Driven Situations Management

Retrieval System

reference:

Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Berlin

Ass. Prof. Dr. J.T. Kowalski

Dr. Ulrich Wesemann

EOD Ops Coy CBRN EOD Platoon –

instensive psychological training

• Mental training / workshops

– Different techniques e.g. to ease stress (breathing, progressive

muscle relaxation, imagery programs ), motivation,

concentration, ..

• General rules when working with other people (team) –

communication

• Rules of dealing with persons and explosives

– Safety rules Do‘s and Don‘ts

(Hostages vs. Suiciders)

– Psychological first aid

– Personality differences

– Cultural differences

Questions?

Psychological Service at the German EOD Center

Documents

Transcript of Psychological Service at the German EOD Center