94. EOD Women's Leadership Symposium

The Explosive Ordnance Women’s Leadership Summit, held from August 8-10, marked 50 years of women in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal career field. Attendees from across the globe gathered for two days of leadership, mentorship, and camaraderie, a unique forum focusing on women's leadership and mentorship that had not been seen before. More than 75 service members participated in the summit, including not only female EOD technicians but also men and women from various career fields. Linda Cox, a trailblazer in the field, shared her experiences from being the first woman to graduate from EOD school in 1974 to becoming the first EOD woman to achieve the rank of chief master sergeant in 1994. She highlighted the progress made over the years, with women now running teams and shops in the field. Despite advancements, women remain a minority in EOD, with only 38 women serving as EOD technicians out of 1,337 Airmen in the Air Force, comprising less than 2% of the career field. Chief Master Sgt. Diana Rogers, the second woman EOD Chief and the sole current female serving in that role, discussed the challenges faced by women in EOD and emphasized the importance of more women rising to leadership positions. The summit served as a testament to the progress made and the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal career field.