Why I respect EOD so damn much....

I've spent quite a bit of time working with EOD, learning what they do, how they do it, and what keeps them coming back for more. Not so much the Hollywood action heroes, fighting the desert heat while racing against time choosing between the red or blue wire, though I'm sure in that situation, they would do just fine. What I discovered was a tight-knit community that enjoys a good laugh, a hard days work, sweet explosions, and an ice cold brew. I went ahead and listed the ten reasons why I think they kick ass and take names.

1. EOD is family.
Every community and rate in the Navy will want to establish themselves that not only distinguishes them from the rest, but something of pride that brings it's members close and together. Most examples do not compare with what I experienced working with them. EOD is a very tight-knit community where pretty much everyone knows everyone.

2. One of the best jobs, period.
The military pays them to literally blow stuff up. Enough said.

3. Each has a story.
Long or short, each tech can have you balling from laughter, or tense and serious. Some of the stuff they do or did is unbelievable, but for them, it's another day's pay.

4. One of the most rewarding jobs in the military.
Not only from the extra pays and benefits, but the other side too. Before I cam here, I sat behind a desk. I won't deny that I was helping keep the fleet and maybe my country safe, but out here, I KNOW I am.

5. Money, money, money.
An extra thousand every month? Sign me up. With all the extra training and the job that they do, the Navy makes sure to pay them appropriately.

6. Respect.
Word. Pretty much everyone in the military has the basic idea of what a tech does. The have an idea and it's enough to respect EOD and what they do. When EOD shows up on scene, they take charge, and everyone listens.

7. Wild and crazy guys.
You kind of need to be to do this sort of work. This sort of goes along with #3, but also the fact that they're a bunch of the coolest folks to hang out with. They enjoy a good party and BBQ and are always up for a beer. Though, be careful; they come up with the most ingenious pranks I've ever heard and are always ready to return the "favor", better/worse.

8. Subject matter experts.
For an EOD tech to earn his Crab, he needs to know his job. No one questions his judgement and no one should.

9. Location, location, location.
EOD gets stationed everywhere. Where there's military or US citizens/assests, there's EOD. My chief told me about a time he worked for Secret Service in Egypt. And I thought my rate got the cool places.

10. Rock stars.
They simply are.

If it seems like I was kissing EOD's bum, know this: They earned it.

POTD for August 7th, 2009 "Frag Crab"

POTD - Pic of the Day - Sailor Harry tries to provide his loving public a glimpse at the what he sees in the Sandbox, almost every day.

Just a glimpse at what EODC is cooking up at the office. Here's a picture of what he's recreating. I hope to have a picture of the end result. He's using left over frag from previous missions and what was laying around the TOC.

Not much has happened but I'll be headed back to Brass in a couple days. Chief wants me to assist the new team down there, as well as maybe put me back to work, haha.

I did, however, accomplish a little bonding with a couple of the techs here by helping pull off a prank. Recently, my family was kind to send me a luau themed care package, complete with kiddy pool to cool off in. Sitting in the office, someone mentioned wanting a pool. Next thing I know, I am inflating the kiddie pool in the OIC's room, being watched by two snickering EOD techs. Once blown up, we filled it appropriately. Enjoy here and here.

Lastly, please pity me and my meager 32" LCD TV. Life is hard, can you tell?

Homecoming Checklist (UNCLASSIFIED)

Checklist for when I get back

1. "Mission Accomplished" Beer

2. Homecoming party/BBQ

3. Kiss pretty girl

4. Full-body massage

5. Near-Coma sleep fest

6. Xbox Live marathon

7. Visit friend in Pennsylvania

8. Visit Uncle Bob and Aunt Frankie in Seattle

9. Visit Grandma Jo in Oregon

10. Brag about how much money was saved on deployment

11. Somehow spend it all on women and booze

12. Immediately regret spending money

13. Cry inside

14. Demand free food and drink at any restaurant I go to while using "Iraq" excuse

16. Act fidgety, twitch eye, repeatedly mutter "Post traumatic disorder", whenever free food is not provided

17. Get kicked out of an establishment

18. Apologize to family, especially mother

19. Dread returning to Norfolk

20. Have mom make biscuits and gravy

I have a plan and I intend to follow it. That is all.

All Will Come Home

18 years; 18 long years. The remains of Capt. Speicher were found by Marines today. This brings closure to his family and a search that has been ongoing for a long time. The full story can be read here.

If you notice, I am currently at COB Speicher. Last week I looked into the name and found out that it was named after the Navy pilot. Funny how all this has happend in less than a week. Finally someone can be taken off the MIA list and finally be taken home.

POTD for 01AUG09: "Did they get my Good Side?"

I know the quality kind of sucks, but that's the best my web cam does. It's a copy of the May, 2009 issue of the Army's 25th Infantry Division's monthly newsletter/magazine, "Lightning Strikes". Way back when I first came here, I did my first demo, along with some engineers and Army press. They had the pics from the demo shot and it included me. Not exactly Newsweek awesome, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Good to know our replacements want to get here as much as we want to leave, so I won't be here too much longer. We've done alot and are ready to share our stories and experiences via live audiences, rather than phone calls and emails. Though, I have to say, with technology the way it is, never did I imagine that I would be in a place like this and actually have a face to face conversation with my family on my computer. My mom and dad were in more disbeliefe but it was actually nice to wave at each other, say hello, and even play a game of UNO. Thank you Windows Messenger.

An old friend who likes to show up in random places smiled at me today. World War two is over, but he is always there with the military. Whoever decided to do it though needs to learn to spell. The "wuz" is cute, but the "hear" is just embarrasing.

Our supply guy is keeping me busy with the inventory. So nice that I have a bunch of equipment that's not on any lists, yet I can't seem to find the stuff on the lists. Go figure. I'm very close in just paying for stuff we're missing, just so he'll leave me alone, yet I don't think I could afford it, even with my life savings.

I also may be heading back to Brass for a few days. Seem the EOD guys tore their place apart and Chief may want me to help tidy the place up. Be nice to be able to see my Army friends one last time, though they say they're headed to Baghdad, and I'll eventually be heading there too.

Besides that, it's getting through the day, boredom being the worst enemy. Beats bullets and IEDs exploding, I guess.

- Sailor Harry