NATO EOD Staff Officer Training Course Successfully Conducted in Trenčín, Slovakia
From 02 FEB to 13 FEB 2026, the NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Staff Officer Training Course was successfully conducted in Trenčín, Slovakia. The course was delivered under the auspices of the NATO EOD Centre of Excellence as part of its official Programme of Work and in response to current operational requirements.
The training was executed by a Mobile Training Team and specifically tailored to the requirements of the Hungarian and Slovak Armed Forces. A total of 16 participants from both nations attended the course. All participants successfully fulfilled the established training objectives and graduated upon completion.
The primary aim of the NATO EOD Staff Officer Training Course is to educate and train non-EOD-qualified staff officers to attain a foundational level of professional competence in accordance with NATO standards, while incorporating relevant United Nations principles in explosive ordnance threat mitigation. Upon successful completion, graduates are equipped to plan, prepare, command, control, and coordinate EOD operations within multinational battalion- and brigade-level command structures.
This iteration of the course was supported by Subject Matter Experts from the following distinguished institutions:
- 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD) (USA)
- Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CAN)
- 905th SCSC Nováky (SVK)
- 5th Special Operations Regiment (SVK)
- 15th Engineer Regiment (CZE)
- C-IED COE (ESP)
- JCBRND COE (CZE)
- JISR Institute (CZE)
- United Nations Mine Action Service (USA)
The multinational cooperation demonstrated throughout the course, combined with the contributions of the supporting experts, reaffirmed the training’s significant value in strengthening NATO EOD capabilities and enhancing interoperability among Allied forces. Daily hot wash-ups and the final course evaluation reflected a high level of participant satisfaction with both the course content and its delivery. Participants particularly emphasized the course’s relevance to their professional duties and future assignments, while also providing constructive feedback to ensure continued alignment with evolving operational trends and developments within the EOD domain.
The next iteration of the NATO EOD Staff Officer Training Course is scheduled for April 2026 and will be conducted in Wrocław, Poland. Registration is available through the official website of the NATO EOD Centre of Excellence.
Author: CPT Radek MICHALKA - (CZE-A)
Photo: Jaroslav LACKO - (SVK-CIV)
