Directorate of Training

Engineer: The Professional Bulletin for Army Engineers, July, 2002

Counter-Booby Trap Course. On 28 May 2002, 18 Engineer Officer Basic Course students from Class 3-02, along with two first lieutenants from the 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, participated in a pilot Counter-Booby Trap Course.

The purpose of the 2-week course was to train personnel to recognize, detect, report, and plan the clearance of booby traps. Students were introduced to a wide range of counter-booby trap topics, including uses and principles; switches; recording, marking, and reporting; and recon. They participated in various practical exercises that incorporated classroom training into real-life scenarios, while providing an opportunity to plan various booby trap clearance operations and conduct clearance exercises. Students used trip wire feelers; titanium probes; AN/PSS-12 mine detectors; DA Forms 1355, Minefield Record; and rolls of engineer tape for marking safe pathways. The intent of the course was not to turn lieutenants into subject-matter experts but to expose them to the many aspects of booby traps and enhance previous training.

The students were reminded regularly that all clearance missions should be conducted with the support of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD)-qualified soldiers. Trained experts on post, including instructors from the Department of Instruction at the Maneuver Support Center and the Sapper Leader Course, enhanced the quality of the course while offering students the opportunity to learn about real-life experiences. The course was capped off by a visit from EOD personnel from Fort Polk, Louisiana, who offered search advice and fielded questions.

Officials from the Directorate of Training Development are currently deciding on the course's future, making any necessary adjustments, and deciding at what level of leadership the course will be taught.

POC is CPT John Clarke, 35582; DSN -5582; or e-mail clarkej@wood.army.mil.