Prior to 1 June 2006, enlisted members of United States Navy that qualified as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist were authorized to wear the warfare qualification as well as have (EOD) listed after their rating designator. For example, if Bob Jones was a Hull Technician First Class Petty Officer (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist), then his title would be HT1(EOD) Bob Jones.
As of 1 June 2006 for E6-E9 and 1 October 2006 for E1-E5, U.S. Navy EOD Technicians have become their own rating within the Navy. Only after being qualified as a Senior EOD Technician, is the technician designated as an EOD Warfare Specialist. An example would be: Petty Officer First Class Bob Jones, who is a Senior EOD Technician, would have his title read EOD1(EWS) Bob Jones.
In 2007, the Special Operations Officer Community was rechristened "Explosive Ordnance Disposal," a change which the Navy felt also needed to be reflected in the EOD Officer warfare device as well. The new officer insignia is identical to the Master EOD warfare device, but is gold in color.[2]