MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams from across the Marine Corps gathered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina this past week to compete for the title of 2026 USMC EOD Team of the Year. The weeklong competition, hosted by 8th Engineer Support Battalion from April 13 to 17, tested teams through physically demanding events, complex explosive scenarios, and precise decisional-making exercises designed to simulate real-world operations.
“It took a lot of coordination based on events for planning - logistics for , mobility, and then supporting the actual events and evaluations on site,” said Master Sgt. Ryan Siemer, the 8th ESB EOD operations chief. “[The competition] started with an idea and then blossomed into a real thing. This year specifically we added an emerging threat of a [unmanned aerial system] swarm launcher. Making a training aid that accurately reflected that threat was challenging.”
Throughout the event, teams were evaluated on their technical proficiency, safety, communication, and adaptability under pressure. Participants completed knowledge-based assessments, equipment inspections, and stress-induced timed operations. The Engineer and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Advocacy Branch, or “LPE”, provided more formal guidance for this year’s competition which allowed for a standardized grading criteria and a more structured training schedule.
“A myriad of EOD specific skills are tested covering the large breadth of EOD responses,” said Siemer. “Typically, teams must demonstrate overcoming some physical challenges and general soldiering skills. This year, that was encapsulated in a ruck-shoot-ruck event in which teams rucked 3.3 miles to a pistol range, executed a non-standard pistol shoot, then rucked 3.3 miles back and completed an M240 disassembly and reassembly for time,” stated Siemer.
The winners were selected through a point-based system based on the event and overall grading criteria. Following a week of testing their mettle against peers, 3rd EOD Company, 9th ESB, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, earned the top honors as the 2026 USMC EOD Team of the Year.
“Winning this competition means a lot to us. We have always bragged that our unit produces the best EOD Technicians and this competition validated that,” said Staff Sgt. Joel Walker an EOD Technician with 9th ESB.
This is the second year that the EOD team from 9th ESB has competed and their first year winning.
“I think the biggest learning point was that you are never too good to practice hard skills,” said Walker. “The most important things we showcased this week were high physical fitness and being well rounded in fundamental EOD skills.”
The event also fostered professional exchanges and camaraderie among units from across the force, strengthening operational partnerships and reinforcing a shared commitment to EOD excellence.
“The career field is filled with exceptional Marines that love to compete. This all-volunteer community is as close-knit as it is challenging and demands the very best of its members every day,” stated Walker.
Future institution wide competitions aim to be alternately hosted by 9th ESB and 8th ESB.