Explosive Ordnance Disposal News Letter

EOD Units HHQ:
LPE-2
2
MARFORPAC
5
MARFORCOM
6
Units:
I MEF
8
II MEF
11
III MEF
14
Bases
17
Stations
20
Explosive Ordnance
Disposal
News Letter
MARSOC
TECOM
23
Special Features:
What is it?
Awards
Retirements
28
Some Gave All
30
Unit Roster
32
EOD Info/links
34
This newsletter is the
unofficial newsletter of
Marine Corps EOD. It is
produced by the EOD
Marines of MAGTF-TC
Publisher - Maj Callahan
Editor – MGySgt Loechler
Oct - Dec 2013
EOD News Letter
HQMC LPE – Maj Shelstad / Mr.
Tater / MGySgt Lippert
Greetings from HQMC (LPE-2) located in room 2E227 of
the Pentagon. As always, a lot has happened since the
last entry. We’ll hit on just a few items of interest.
Promotions:
First off, congrats to our 6 Warrant Officer selects, 7
MGySgt Selects, and 24 MSgt selects. Master Guns
Lippert has been working with the promotions branch to
adjust the EOD zones that offer a max opportunity for
selection in an effort to assist the above zone personnel.
In the coming years, EOD promotions will become
extremely competitive; as they used to be during years
past. That increased level of competitiveness applies to
both the Officer and Enlisted ranks of the EOD field.
This year they did not select to the full allocation we had
for the EOD MSgt vacancies. We only selected 26
Marines out of a possible 38 slots available. Although we
don’t have the full data on those that were passed for
promotion, the lack of PME has been the trend during
recent years that has been the main factor in EOD
GySgts not being selected for MSgt. If you fit into this
category; get to the resident PME ASAP in order to be
competitive / fully qualified next Oct.
Warrant Officer Selection Criteria: The OccFld
Sponsor has rewritten the Warrant Officer criteria for
selection as a 2305 EOD Officer. For those of you that
have not seen the new requirements: the attached /
linked document is provided for your reading pleasure:
2305 MOS
Criteria_Dec_ 2013.docx
MCO 8027 rewrite:
The draft 8027 (Interservice Responsibilities for EOD)
has been sent out from LPE-2 to the Marine Corps
Operating forces for a chop. We hope to have the action
Office review completed by mid January. Our EOD
counterparts at the Army G-3/5/7 have the lead on the
rewrite. The main focus of this order will be covering
homeland defense roles to include EOD support to civil
authority.
We appreciate the help from some of the supporting
establishment teams for providing us details regarding
response areas within their purview in order to upload
into this order.
Third Location Decompression Program:
LPE-2 is still managing the Decompression evolutions in
Germany. Another very successful evolution took place
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 2
as the outgoing Company (Fwd) was returning from
combat operations. We anticipate this program to
continue throughout the remainder of the OEF
deployments. Drop us a line if you need to talk dates and
specific info.
Departure of Master Guns Lippert: Although he was
only here for a short time (13 months), he had a great
impact on the EOD field during his tenure at HQMC.
Master Guns Lippert has departed for waters south of
here. He sailed his house boat down to the North
Carolina coast as he prepares to start his new job as the
EOD Chief at MARSOC. Master Guns Lippert’s happy
demeanor, while walking the halls of the Pentagon, will
be sorely missed. Some of his initiatives, particularly
regarding the promotion processes / zone management
for EOD will carry well into the future and positively
affect the community for years to come. Due to
mandatory downsizing of active duty billets at HQMC,
the EOD MOS Specialist Billet has been discontinued.
With the Marine Corps shrinking their numbers to the
175K neighborhood, many cuts have taken place
throughout the total force. However, EOD has fared
extremely well compared to many MOSs regarding the
depth of reductions.
New Join to LPE-2: During the Month of November,
LPE-2 saw the hiring of a new employee by the name of
Mr. Marc Tarter. He is now a government civilian worker
at LPE-2 serving as the EOD Program Analyst. LPE
was able to successfully take two civilian logistics billets
and change them to one civilian EOD billet. LPE-2 will
now have some level of continuity for years to come;
unless they cut all the civilian billets up here due to
sequestration.
If you get lost and find yourself in the Pentagon area,
stop by and we’ll gladly put you to work.
Maj Shelstad
Mr. Tarter
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 3
FPID – Capt Perry / Mr. Carroll
recent reconciliation as well as those conducted in years
past.
Greetings and Salutations from Marine Corps Combat
Development Command (MCCDC), Capabilities
Development Directorate (CDD), Force Protection
Integration Division (FPID), Counter Improvised
Explosive Device (CIED) Branch, formerly known as
Explosive Hazards (XHAZ) Branch or simply put, Deputy
Commandant, Combat Development and Integration
(DC, CD&I).
Additionally, as it pertains to EOD equipment,
we continue to work with our colleagues at Marine Corps
Systems Command as well as our counterparts at Fires
and Maneuvers Integration Division (FMID) and Logistics
Integration Division (LID) here at Combat Development
and Integration (CD&I) to develop requirements and
Approved Acquisition Objectives for the Scout Sniper
Observation Telescope (SSOT) to replace currently
fielded M49 Scopes used in conjunction with the SemiAutomatic Sniper System (SASS) and Special
Application Scoped Rifle (SASR) along with a 5KW
generator for each unit as required to effectively operate
the forthcoming Remote Fuze Disassembly System
(RFDS).
Mr. Greg Carroll and I continue to advocate on
numerous issues in an effort to posture the USMC EOD
Community for future engagements across the Range of
Military Operations.
In conjunction with the world’s finest Marine
Detachment (MarDet, Indianhead), the EOD Project
Officer at Marine Corps Systems Command, and our
advocacy at Deputy Commandant, Installations and
Logistics (LPE), a reconciliation of all EOD TAMCNs and
Approved Acquisition Objectives (AAO) was completed
recently and the results have been populated in Total
Force Structure Management System (TFSMS). All
changes were made effective FY14 so as you conduct
your respective Consolidated Memorandum Receipt
(CMR) reconciliations, it would be wise to inquire what
TFSMS displays as your actual Table of Equipment
allowance as some TAMCNs have changed, notably;
MCAS Camp Pendleton T/E was deleted
completely.
EOD Companies, Combat Logistics Battalions
(CLB) and Marine Wing Support Squadrons (MWSS)
saw decreases to Radiographic Imaging System, EOD
(RIS, EOD) General Operations Kit (TAMCN E01597G)
by 50% (2 per section). Advanced EOD Robotic System
(AEODRS) Dismounted/Small (TAMCN E01107G) was
reduced by 50% as well at EOD Companies, CLBs and
MWSSs (2 per section). The Stand-off Disruptor
Improvised Explosive Device (SDIED) (TAMCN
E30212E) was reduced at all Operating Forces and
Supporting Establishments by 25% (4 to 3 per section).
And the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
was reduced to 2 per section at each MWSS.
Please refer to Technical Assistance Information
Letters (TAIL) and guidance from the Marine
Detachment, Naval EOD Technology Division,
Indianhead and the EOD Project Officer, Marine Corps
Systems Command for disposition instructions on any
excess equipment you may have as a result of this most
We spent much of December bouncing between
Program Objective Memorandum (POM) reviews and
the Marine Expeditionary Unit Operational Advisory
Group (MEU OAG). Good news on both fronts. With
regards to the POM drills, we have taken some
decrements to our funding over the past couple of years
and reviews but it looks as though we will not take any
further cuts to our current baseline funding. The result of
these previous cuts is largely responsible for the
aforementioned reductions to our AAOs; can’t buy it
without funding so as funding reduces, we have to find
ways to save. As it pertains to the MEUs, we have
assisted with the update to MEU Mission Essential
Tasks List (METL) that now includes an EOD heavy
footprint with our own Mission Essential Task (MET) 6.8
Conduct EOD Operations.
One hanging chad from the MEU OAG relates to
Navy EOD returning to the Amphibious Ready Groups
(ARG) and it was essentially unanimous at the MEU
OAG that Marine Corps Leadership, to include former
and current MEU Commanders, is not going to “wait” or
“plan” on Navy EOD returning and they would prefer
Marine EOD supporting Marines. Therefore, there are
plans which are currently underway, albeit in their
infancy, to increase the Marine EOD structure on the
MEUs. Please refer to information from LPE and the
MARFOR EOD Officers for updates and additional
information on this topic.
And finally, it would not be an average week
here at Capabilities Development Directorate without the
plethora of Marine Corps Action Tracking System
(MCATS) tasks, the seemingly never ending budget
drills, and countless power point slide presentations
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 4
regarding the POM and EOD equipment that are
required. Through in the Joint Urgent Operational
Needs Statements (JUONS) reviews, Urgent Universal
Needs Statement (UUNS) reviews, the Counter IED
Working Groups, and daily operations meetings and we
stay pretty busy here at the Crossroads of the Corps.
the minutest detail. Nevertheless, we continue to march
As we embark on a new year, we remain
steadfastly devoted to providing our Operating Forces
and Supporting Establishments with increased
capabilities in an amount sufficient to support your
respective missions and concepts of operations while at
a price we can afford and in a package you can train,
maintain, and sustain.
he can and even finds the strength to stop by when he
If you are ever in the area, please give us a call!
Steve Lucas is heading to Afghanistan to serve as our
Semper Fi,
Captain Jason Perry
MCWL – Maj Lucas
Marines,
on our initiatives.
LtCol Mike Glass continues to improve and has
completed his last few rounds chemotherapy and his
prognosis is looking good. He calls into the office when
can. We ask that you all continue to keep him in his
prayers and be prepared to attend his retirement
ceremony.
OK so we are going to try this once more…Maj
MCWL LNO Forward. Last time we attempted this hat
trick, Maj Lucas was the first Marine ever to get
medevac’d INTO theater. Although we wish him luck, we
have odds on him breaking his other angle this
deployment.
All hailed from the Marine Corps Warfighting
Laboratory Counter-Improvised Explosive Device
Work on the ATC and EAC training are
Division, the most significant EOD Team aboard MCB
continuous and updates to follow as we make progress.
Quantico. Helping you help yourself, the C-IED assists
In the meantime, our contractors (minions) Mr. Dean
the operating forces in identifying C-IED capability gaps
Reik and Mr Paul Miller will provide continuity in the
and developing plans for materiel and non-materiel
office. Mr Reik works on the Strategy side of the house
solutions for those gaps. The division also evaluates
while Mr Paul Miller is located in the Operations section.
emerging capabilities, training, and technologies and
Always remember and never forget, IEDs are weapons
develops transition strategies that support the needs of
of strategic influence…NOT booby traps!
the Marine Corps. We accomplish this by serving as the
conduit between the operating forces JIEDDO’s rapid
acquisitions program which is designed to fund gapped
solutions until the Marine Corps can institutionalize
demonstrated C-IED solutions. With our team
EOD Monitor – MSgt Blum
Did not submit
comprising of LtCol Mike Glass, Maj Steve Lucas, Mr.
Dean Reik and Mr. Paul (JP) Miller, this team literally
has thousands of years of experience to draw from.
MARCORSYSCOM –
MGySgt Lamer/MSgt Farmer
What role JIEDDO will serve our needs in the
future is still being debated. However, one thing is
certain, their once $2+B budget, B as in BILLION, is all
but cut into a third of what it once was. As a result,
initiatives are being scrutinized and prioritized down to
Did not submit
Two senior enlisted Marines cannot find time to
submit a couple of paragraphs
EOD News Letter
MarDet NAVEODTECHDIV
Maj Smith / MGySgt Loechler
Did not submit
Becoming one of those teams.
MARFORPAC – LtCol Corris
Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou to all from
Gods Country!
First and foremost congratulations to all those selected
for promotion (Chief Warrant Officer-3, 4 and 5 as well
as Master Gunnery Sergeant and Master Sergeant).
I also want to thank the Marine Corps Base Hawaii and
CLB-3 EOD Teams for their hospitality is welcoming the
Ole Man on the Hill down on a recurring basis. For the
next holiday breakfast, can we limit the amount bacon a
certain MGySgt (select) is allowed to swallow in one
breath?
A few things to update you on since the last newsletter
entry.
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC):
Bad News: Given the current financial situation we are
operating in, JPAC has been forced to cancel at least (4)
of its 2nd quarter missions. If you were selected as an
augment for one of these missions, be patient; I have the
MARFORPAC G-1 prepared to pounce on any/all
emergent JPAC missions requiring EOD augmentation.
Good News: PACOM recently announced that ALL FY15 (and future) external augmentation to JPAC will be
fully-funded by JPAC. External augmentation for JPAC
missions is allotted using a fair-share methodology
(during the annual JPAC External Augmentation
Conference in April). Recently, given the fact that these
missions were `unit-funded’ that other services have
been picking up our slack. Not that all missions will be
`PAC-funded’ we will find ourselves supporting our fair
share of missions. For example, for FY-14 there were
(112) requirements for EOD augmentation to JPAC
missions. If we followed the `fair-share’ model we
should have provided (28) EOD techs (when we actually
only provided (17)).
For I MEF and III MEF, I will continue to follow the same
process for FY-15 as we did for FY-14 wrt releasing a
Feasibility of Support message to both MEF’s to
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 5
accommodate your other training requirements. I would
highly encourage someone from MCI-West/MCI-PAC
engaging their respective chain of commands now, iot
get your EOD techs back into the JPAC business for FY15.
Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA)
In November, I traveled to Thailand for a PreDeployment Site Survey with MSgt Nutting, GySgt Jones
and SSgt Eckert. We were able to engage with the Thai
Mine Action Center (TMAC) to set the stage for 3rd EOD
Company’s EOD/Blast Trauma Train-The-Trainer (Phase
I) course which was just completed on 20 December.
Dates for Phase II and III are currently being coordinated
between JUSMAGTHAI and TMAC.
After the Thai PDSS, I traveled to Hanoi with CWO2
Dempsey to participate in the Initial Planning Conference
for CY15 HMA missions in support of Vietnam. We
proposed a 3-year mil-to-mil engagement with the
People’s Army of Vietnam Technology Centre for Bomb
and Mine Disposal (BOMICEN). As we await formal
response from the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense on
our proposal, CWO3 Dempsey is taking charge in
preparing I MEF forces for the next iteration of EOD
support to the USPACOM HMA Program.
The MARFORPAC Deputy Commanding General
travelled to Vietnam in November, as the guest speaker
for the Marine Security Guard Detachment Birthday Ball.
During an office call with the Ambassador and Office of
Defense Cooperation, the DCG was briefed that
MARFORPAC EOD has been the only mil-to-mil
engagement between the governments of the United
States and Vietnam. Bravo Zulu to SSgt Bobby Conlon
and 1st EOD Company for their efforts during last year’s
engagements.
I also had the opportunity to participate in the FY-15
USPACOM Capabilities Development Conference in
early December. During the conference, I was able to
identify a requirement for USPACOM HMA EOD/Blast
Trauma Train-The-Trainer support in Nepal and Laos. I
am currently building these projects and should have a
concrete plan come the Jun/July timeframe. With will
increase the MARFORPAC EOD footprint in the Pacific
AOR to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal and Laos.
The USPACOM HMA Program Manager also wants us
to take on Palau, but I’m hesitant on taking it on until I
can get some time to hone my free-diving/spear fishing
skills (It’s rough enough finding time to hone my surfing
skills).
EOD News Letter
During 2014, MARFORPAC will also be joining forces
with MCSCG by providing 2 EOD Teams (from 3rd EOD
Company) in support of AFRICOM’s HMA program in the
countries of Senegal and Burundi.
Sister Service/Partner Nation Training
During the last USPACOM C-IED Working Group, I
proposed MARFORPAC EOD support on all future Asian
Pacific C-IED Fusion Center (APCFC) C-IED Subject
Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE). The proposal was
well received by all (to include the Director of the
APCFC) so I would anticipate MARFORPAC EOD
supporting a C-IED SMEE to Thailand during the spring
of 2014. There are still some issues that need to be
worked out, but it looks as though we will be able to get
at least one Marine EOD tech on all future SMEE
missions. I’m also being informed that missions will be
fully-funded by the APCFC.
I recently participated in the Initial Planning Conference
for Exercise Fortune Guard 14 (FG-14). This counter
proliferation exercise is the first of a multinational series
of nationally hosted air, land, and sea exercises
designed to demonstrate a collective commitment to act
against proliferation-related shipments and enhance
interdiction capabilities of Proliferation Security Initiative
participants. This year’s exercise is being held on Oahu
immediately after RIMPAC. The exercise with consist of
a table top exercise and two tactical level
demonstrations of participating nations capacity to
detect, identify and interdict WMD. While there was
huge appetite for CBRN involvement, all four services
had EOD representation that provided a strong
argument for future EOD involvement. Given the time
constraints and level of multi-national participation, it’s
not looking like USMC participation will be necessary
this for this years exercise. We’re not providing any
objection to this year’s exercise with next year’s exercise
taking place in New Zealand. More to follow on this!
I am using this exercise as a justification to bring a
DNWS Mobile Training Team out to Oahu to facilitate
their EOD level 3 Incident Response (Nuclear) Course
for the MCBH EOD Teams. I’ve heard nothing but rave
reviews for the course DNWS MTT put on for 1st EOD
Company. Only issue now is identifying the $20,000.00
is going to cost to bring Major Stotts to Hawaii for a
week. GySgt Barajas is attempting to identify JIEDDO
funds, but it’s not looking too good. Looks like CWO’s
Cheatum, Jones and I will have head to down to
Kalakaua Ave to solicit ourselves to Japanese tourists in
order to raise the necessary funding (unless someone
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 6
has some funding for us). What some EOD Officers
wouldn’t done for the professional development of their
EOD Marines.
That’s about it from Marine Force Pacific, I do hope you
all have had a joyous holiday season you’re your family
and friends. For those of you deployed for the holidays,
you have our thoughts and prayers for a safe and
speedy re-deployment. Wishing everyone a Safe and
Prosperous 2014!
MARFORCOM –
LtCol. Miyamoto
MARFORCOM
Hello, EOD field. I wish everyone a prosperous new
year as we try to secure the memorable moments and
find peace for those that faced unfortunate incidents
and tragedy last year. 2014 will mark several changes
to the USMC total force and our MOS. MARFORCOM
has been dealing with several issues at the operational
level which included the USMC Total Force draw-down,
OEF draw-down, deactivation of several commands, and
the II MEF merger with MARFORCOM. So what’s in it
for you?
Navy EOD. I met with EOD officers from the NECC and
EOD Group 2 about the status of their return to the
ARG. Here’s the bottom line: They have been told to
get back on the ARG, but are balking. Navy EOD wants
to integrate with the USMC IOT to support the MAGTF.
They want to do more than what they did prior to
leaving in 2008. If you saw the Navy EOD paper titled,
“How we are and what we do”, you’d see this why.
(Contact me if you need a copy for the shitter?) They
want to me to write a supporting/supported
relationship into doctrine, MOA, MOU, or other formal
agreements prior to returning. Navy EOD wants to offer
the MEU an EOD dive and jump capability and other
special mission sets they say the USMC EOD can’t do.
Their first order of business is to integrate with the
special ops since this is where they feel they could
increase the capability of the MEU. What do you say?
EOD News Letter
No doctrine or MOA/MOU will be written. Although
possible at the Tactical Level, no agreement for
integration into MAGTF operations will be made at the
Strategic or Operational level of planning. Navy EOD
needs to get back on the ARG to resume their Required
Operational Capabilities. Now back to the Tactical Level
of USN EOD support: The MEU commander may
request additional EOD support from the PHIBRON
based on the tactical situation. This request should be
initiated by the MEU EOD officer, and he should make it
clear why the support is needed and how it will support
his EOD concept of operations. In other words, the
Navy EOD support is augmenting the USMC EOD
ConOps and not working for the MEU CE. If you, as the
MEU EOD officer, don’t know why Navy EOD is on your
MEU mission, you’ve been punk’d. Sounds like the
Navy EOD had a sales seminar in the Wardroom with
the MEU CO.
MEU OAG. I spoke about two topics at the MEU OAG
13.2 in Quantico last month. The first topic provided
additional info and updates the above story of Navy
EOD. If you want the slides with speaker notes, contact
me. The other point for the MEU OAG was the increase
of EOD to the CLB. When the EOD leadership spoke
about the MEU troop list increase two months ago, we
agreed to increase by 5 x EOD to equal 1/13. This has
since changed! The MEU troop list increase will be 4 x
EOD to equal 1/12. So far, 22 MEU requested 4 x EOD
and got 4. 13 MEU requested 4 x EOD and got 4. 11
MEU requested 4 x EOD and got 4. The EOD leadership
is working permanent T/O changes to reflect 1/12 for
the CLB. The recent MEF approvals for the above
increases will help justify the permanent change.
Contact me if you need the slides with speaker notes.
Late note: The MEU METL draft was approved by the
MEU OAG 13.2. What does this mean to you on the
MEU? EOD MCT 6.8 has been integrated throughout in
the Core, Core Plus, CE Core, ACE Assigned Tasks, and
CLB Core. You are essential to the readiness reporting.
Contact me for details.
Future Deployments. Here’s a snap shot of the slate.
Nothing for OEF is slated past December. SFAAT
augment numbers stayed the same, but we faced a
change of a GySgt to Capt billet from I MEF. The
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 7
Georgian Deployment Program was approved for
another rotation so we will support the training this
spring/summer. We’ve gained HMA missions in
AFRICOM, see below. The SPMAGTF saga continues to
shift, grow, reduce, merge, emerge, you name it. There
are five SPMAGTF’s that are notional, forming, or fullmission capable. By the end of this year, I MEF and II
MEF will each be responsible for a SPMAGTF. This
means internal MEF rotations with at least an EOD
section (rein) per SPMAGTF. EOD Companies, this will
be your “New Norm”.
C-IED Training. Many issues concerning C-IED have
come my way. This billet is all things EOD and
everything C-IED. You may have heard of the C-IED
Institutionalization Strategy and Implementation
Process (ISIP) Document. (Referred to as the C-IED
Strategy) This document will prescribe the transition of
“where we are now” to the future 2025 “where we
want to be”. Another strategy document? Yes, we
need to write it with value otherwise it will get put
aside like others.
The C-IED Requirement. Currently, the only
requirement for C-IED training is for CENTCOM.
Essentially, if a unit is not deploying to OEF, they don’t
have to train for C-IED. What are your thoughts since
IED’s only exist in AFG? In the big picture, we need a
HQMC policy, theater entry requirements, and PTP
requirements that support each other. (All are in
process or staffing) The current effort up here is to
establish theater specific C-IED training requirements
for each GCC.
Humanitarian Mine Action. HMA support to the
countries of Burundi and Senegal has been formally
requested for 2014 and scheduled for interim support
from III MEF. Right now there are no techs on the East
Coast certified/qualified to support these missions.
Thanks to MARFORPAC for covering down until II MEF
can grow the capability. Techs on HMA missions need
the EOD level 1 and 2 class taught by the Humanitarian
Demining Training Center. The HDTC will provide this
training for the local East Coast EOD Teams via MTT on
5 Feb 14 at 2d EOD Company. Put the word out and get
there if you can. Training takes about an hour and is
EOD News Letter
scheduled for a morning and afternoon session.
Training cert/qual only lasts one year. I anticipate the
HMA program in AFRICOM to grow much larger and
need capacity from II MEF to source.
That’s all for this quarter, those are the highlights of
current issues. Stay motivated and see it my way:
Someone is worse off than you right now. In a few
months, you’ll say I remember those damn days.
I MEF – Capt Volz/CWO3
David/CWO Batie
I MEF (fwd)
Capt Volz (CIED), CWO2 Batie (ANSF), GySgt Blanche
(ATG, SFAAT)
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 8
VTC), which the majority of those invited actually
participated. Believe it or not, we actually came to
agreements on numerous issues/topics as a community.
Those issues/topics and recommended way-forwards
were captured and published on DTG 251854Z Nov 13
via AMHS. Drama began stirring up shortly after the
publishing of the message, gaining 3 star level attention
thanks to certain individuals (whom might have also
played a part in reference to the paragraph above), but
have calmed down since due to maintaining a good
paper trail and strong representation by some of our best
sea lawyers. If anyone wishes to know more
information, please don’t hesitate to call me.
SOTG - 1st EOD Company was generous to lend (2)
Technicians to 1st Special Operations Training Group,
TAD for a year. Despite the Company’s shortage of
operationally available personnel, Capt Soto felt that this
investment was worth it. SSgt Marini and SSgt Conard
have begun to fully immerse themselves within their
respective branches of SOTG and are ready to execute
many initiatives and solutions to identified problems. I’ll
provide an update on this in the newsletter next quarter.
Moratorium - Next, I’ll address the Moratorium pertaining
to I MEF EOD personnel. As of DTG 160315Z Nov 13, I
published a moratorium via AMHS regarding the
handling of the Mk 19 40mm HEDP grenade, and also
addressed safety distances and number of personnel
with regards to UXO handling. For your knowledge - On
multiple occasions, I urged the MEF Command Element
to concur with DC I&L’s (EOD Advocacy) stance to wait
for the results of the investigation before publishing a
message, which the MEF did not view favorably. In
addition, certain individuals from other MSCs had begun
to initiate an “outsiders” version of a moratorium, which
already gained the attention of the I MEF CE.
A moratorium was going to be published by I MEF,
regardless. At that point, I felt a moratorium affecting
EOD, written by EOD, would be much better than being
authored/influenced by folks from outside of the EOD
MOS. If anyone wishes to know more information,
please don’t hesitate to call me.
WMDs - The Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS)
revised the JEIRRC and renamed it EOD Level 3
Improvised Radiological Dispersal Device Nuclear
Course, abbreviated as “L3IR(N)”. The L3IR(N) Course
is highly encourage for all EOD Supervisors and above.
I, to include many EOD Technicians from 1st EOD
Company, 11th, & 15th MEUs were able to attend the
course in November, courtesy of CWO Mason at 1st
EOD Company and Maj Stotts w/ his instructors from
DWNS, and verified this is the perfect starting point to
develop and refine USMC EOD SOPs pertaining to
WMDs. The newer EOD Technicians, who’ve gone
through EOD School’s WMD division, commented on
how much more material and procedures were actually
covered during the L3IR(N) course. New acronyms,
policies, procedures, and great enforcement of
tools/equipment is the synopsis of the course. Unless
you understand everything pertaining to Phase 0 Level 3
Stabilization, CONUS and OCONUS, you should
probably attend this course. BOTTOM LINE: Things
have changed, lines are drawn in the sand by law, and
USMC EOD is expected to perform certain tasks within
this realm – No fail mission. DWNS also has a Level 1
course called Tactical Radiological/Nuclear Operators
Course, catered towards CBRND and SOF operators,
which seem to be the ideal solution for USMC CBRND
personnel, and operators (MARSOC and Recon). I
highly recommend that you get with your respective
CBRND brethren and pass the word about this course. I
MEF will have a few opportunities later this year to put
their skills to the test during the I MEB Large Scale
Exercise and a Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Exercise.
MEU OP VTC - On 6 Nov 13, I MEF hosted the MEU
EOD Operational Planning Video Teleconference (OP
December Force Synchronization Conference
(FORSYNCONF) – LtCol Miyamoto and I provided a
I MEF (garrison)
CWO3 David, SSgt Conard (SMB, SOTG), SSgt Marini
(Raids, SOTG)
Condolences - First and foremost, condolences to the
families of GySgt Mullins, SSgt Summers, SSgt Marsh,
and Sgt Ortiz. On behalf of the entire I MEF, we wish
them quick healing and everlasting peace for their
losses. To our fallen brothers – rest in peace. You are
missed and will never be forgotten.
EOD News Letter
proposed T/O to the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground
Task Force (SPMAGTF) that I MEF will support, but has
yet to be finalized. We were able to gain a clearer
picture of the Marine Corps force posturing i.e.
SPMAGTF – (insert name and/or number), which
appears to be “the” way-ahead and is gaining traction at
the Combatant Commander & host nation level. Not all
SPMAGTFs will be the same size or composition, nor
are the missions mirrored. SPMAGTF will be the next
game in town for both the Company and the MWSSs.
Each respective MEF/MEB will holistically support a
respective SPMAGTF. There are still some unknowns
out there, such as the size of the force, requirements,
and tasked MEF/MEB to support other Combatant
Commands anticipated in requesting their own
SPMAGTFs. The next FORSYNCONF in March should
provide a clearer picture on this. Contact me via SIPR
for specific information regarding I MEF EOD support to
the SPMAGTFs.
SFAAT - Based off his experience from his last
deployment and a desire to stay deployed as much as
possible, GySgt (sel) Blanche reported in to the MEF
Advisor Training Group and was just about complete
with a work-up for one SFAAT when he was re-directed
to join and focus on a different SFAAT. None-the-less,
he will be double prepared before he goes out the door
(if he goes out the door).
A special congrats to our SSgt, MGySgt, WO, and CWO
selectees.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 9
Coast Winery in Temecula. Our guest speaker was
retired EOD Major John Haynes who enlightened us on
the many ways to dispose of enemy combatants with
nothing more than a pair of crimpers. Major Callahan of
MAGTF-TC served as the Commanding Officer and we
sincerely appreciate his support. The Marines that
participated in the ceremony did an outstanding job and
proved that not only are EOD technicians great, but they
are also great at drill too. The Company 1st Sergeant,
yes we have one, only screamed a few times about
cover and alignment, before he was happy. A great time
was had by all and we would very much like to attempt
to replicate this event this year, planning much, much
sooner. We have provided some photos for your viewing
enjoyment. We hope to see everyone at the 2014 West
Coast EOD Ball.
We are preparing 1st Platoon for their upcoming
deployment to Afghanistan. We conducted their first
FEX during December and we are preparing to head up
to 29 Palms in January to conduct their EROC. Also, we
have sent GySgt Barnes, SSgt Chintala, Sgt’s Holl and
Bush to support SPMAGTF-AF for the next several
months. They will be working with 3rd Battalion 8th
Marines throughout their deployment supporting the
many partnerships and cooperation. We look forward to
their experiences so that we can be better prepared for
any other upcoming SPMAGTF missions as the Marine
Corps transitions to this new operational tempo.
Until then, the Imperial MEF, (the only MEF) has spoken.
As always, if you’re in the area stop on by and belly up
to the bar, with written permission of course, and the first
ones on us.
1st EOD Company –
Since the last newsletter we have said farewell to the
following Marines: MSgt Scott, GySgt Treme, GySgt
Small, SSgt West, SSgt Weber, SSgt StDennis, SSgt
Rubio, SSgt Newman, SSgt McDonald, SSgt McCarty,
SSgt Kulik, SSgt Johansson, SSgt Garibaldi, SSgt
Fierimonte, and SSgt Campos.
Capt Soto / MGySgt Luther
Greetings and a Happy New Year from 1st Company, we
hope that those deployed return in this next year safe
and sound. It has been a great year here at America’s
EOD Company, we’ve completed some outstanding
training and operational events and it’s been bittersweet
as we’ve said goodbye to pretty much most of the
Company Marines as they have transitioned either
through EAS, PCS, and PCA’s. We are gearing up for a
new year that sees the Company Marines preparing for
a much reduced Afghanistan deployment as well as the
future operational spectrum of the Marine Corps.
During this quarter, the West Coast EOD Community
celebrated the 2013 West Coast EOD Ball at the South
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 10
MWSS 371- WO Otto
Hello from Yuma; as the temperature drops to the Mid
50’s at night we are breaking out our heavy coats for
morning and evening, then shorts for our afternoon cook
outs. The yearly Snow Bird invasion is in full affect as
evidenced by the fact that it takes twenty minutes to go
two miles. Someone should tell them that an 80 year old
on meds piloting a huge RV is a terrible idea! In keeping
with tradition, we continue to educate our command on
what EOD is and what we do. We have high hopes that
once learning occurs, we will be the best trained MWSS
in Arizona.
The team attended the Homemade Explosive Course at
Los Alamos National Laboratory, and we all feel smarter
for being around people with PH’ds. Congratulations to
MSgt Manor for completing the course with all of his
remaining digits intact.
We welcome a new addition to SSgt Burke’s fire team.
Hanna Burke was born on October 31 weighing in at
7lbs 2oz. We are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of
SSgt Wright S. newest little one.
We have all said goodbye to SSgt Gillespie, who
returned to his home state of Oklahoma to become a
police officer, best of luck to him and his family.
SSgt Gillespie’s going away Plaque.
EOD News Letter
MWSS 372- CWO Rodriguez
Did not submit
MWSS 373 – WO Black
Greetings from sunny Miramar. We here at MWSS-373
have been working our Pre-deployment training pretty
hard. Recently we participated in 1st EOD Company’s
mission rehearsal exercise aboard Camp Pendleton,
NGIC was kind enough to come to Miramar to present
their Crater Analysis Course, and we managed to get the
entire section to Los Alamos in November. The month of
January is pretty packed as well.
Oct – Dec 2013
Following these two missions we kicked off the
ball and holiday season by traveling up to Las Vegas to
celebrate the birthday of our wonderful Corps. The
Marines enjoyed some great partying down on the strip.
After we were all turkeyed out; our guys that are
deploying in the spring in support of MAG-50 headed
down to Tyndall Air Force Base to attend a BRAAT
course at Silverflag. The Marines received some good
insight from the Air Force Cadre conducting the course.
They were also able to provide some good insight back
to the Cadre as well. With that training complete we
rolled into almost everyone going on leave and enjoying
some well-deserved time off.
If anyone is ever here in Twentynine Palms and
the airfield is open feel free to stop on by. If the airfield
is closed give us a call and we will come and let you in.
II MEF – Maj Barker
We have taken on a bit of a history project here.
The team has been doing research on all of our fallen
EOD Techs. We’ve talked to a couple of the retired guys
that still come by the shop but if anybody has any
literature or even a newspaper clipping on anyone past
Vietnam it would be greatly appreciated.
Did not submit
Stay Safe
Maj Cline/MGySgt Barker
CWO Black
MWSS 374 – CWO
Fenstermaker
Hello from the High Desert. Just wanted to start off by
wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hope you all
had a safe and fun holiday season. Also wanted to say
congratulations to MSgt Morones on his selection to
MGySgt.
Since finally getting the network up and
functioning in our new shop in early September we have
been continually working to get the shop organized and
functioning smoothly. On top of that the guys out here at
MWSS-374 have been extremely busy over the last
quarter. We kicked off the quarter by sending a few
Marines out to support the White House Complex and
provide support to the Prime Minister of Iraq in
Washington DC. Want to send thanks to Mr. Todd for
taking time out of his busy day to give a couple of our
guys a wonderful tour of the Pentagon.
Page 11
2nd EOD Company –
Did not submit
MWSS 271 – CWO Mazza
New Year’s greetings to all from MWSS 271. I hope
everyone was able to bring in the New Year right and
haven’t already dropped from any resolutions made. Not
a whole lot happened this past quarter aside from a lot of
deserved leave after returning from OEF 13.1. This next
quarter is bringing a few changes to our section as
GySgt Robertson is in receipt of orders and will be
replaced by GySgt Gower earlier February. We will also
have the privilege of promoting SSgt Murphy to the rank
of GySgt on 1 February. Hopefully, we will see many of
you in due time as we are scheduling our boys for follow
on schools and anything else we can get out and
support within our EOD community when not employed
within the squadron.
Renovations have been completed to Station EOD’s
building and we are now free of asbestos materials
within the building. Don’t be stranger if you are in the
area.
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 12
Don’t let anyone spit in your caps!
start building the bar so we can move on to the important
things in life. Meanwhile, we are building our own OJT
Plt here, where some days the OJT’s outnumber the
MWSS 272 – CWO Lindsey
Techs. We have two guys inbound from 2nd EOD
Company… just in time to lose two more with one soon
out the door for recruiting and the other with orders on to
bigger and better things at MARSOC. If you’re in the
area stop by, we always love company.
Here at MWSS-272 we continued on with our
goal of one day having a full shop again and now it is
finally coming into view. We welcomed home SSgt
Stankus and Sgt Seaver from their deployment with 2nd
EOD Company and put them back to work running as
soon as we could. Our own MSgt Oldham was recently
selected for MGySgt this Year! That does mean
however that they will be taking him from us, but we
could not be happier for him. Currently he is still out the
door fighting the good fight with the SFAAT and doing
great things.
During October we finally got our hands on the
new barrel out at EOD Site 2 and tested our new stuck
round jig. We had a lot of success with it. Just a few
minor tweaks and it should be just about perfect. We
had some visitors from MCBCL EOD who brought out a
couple of their OJT’s who graciously helped with the
“lubrication process” to help seat the round; now we all
know why they kept them around. At the end of October
we got ourselves back out to the range and put to use
some of our shiny new Alford Technologies and Chris
Cherry products plus a few improvised ones of our own.
In November we went back out to try the stuck
round jig and its new improvements. We brought the
Marines from 2nd Maintenance battalion out there that
made it for us so they could see it in action. While on
the range we knocked the dust off our Mk 40 and got
some really good training out of it while testing it to its
limits with ranges and even racking up a few fines.
While we were out there, we figured we might as well
break out the .50 cal also and teach the OJT’s a thing or
two.
During December, between the multiple holiday
parties and other various squadron mandatory fun
functions, we managed to brave the cold to get out to the
range and get some inerting completed, even with our
shop overflowing; we figured we can always squeeze in
just one more thing.
We are STILL waiting on the new warehouse.
We really just think they are toying with us and don’t
actually have plans of ever turning over the building, we
will let you know how all that turns out. While living like
gypsy hoarders is fun, we actually just want the room to
MWSS 273-CWO Morgan
With over half of the section deployed things
here in the low country have been a little slower than
normal. Although the weather has been enjoyable and
the Low Country Boils frequent the sand fleas continue
to be persistent. While we haven’t been on the range as
much over the past couple of months we did manage to
send two Techs to Israel for an IED course hosted by
Shaneson Consulting which was a unique experience to
say the least. In addition to that, the section spent a
couple of weeks training and testing in order to obtain
certifications as HAZMAT Technicians. This HAZMAT
training provided and excellent opportunity for us to learn
new skills and exercise our tools and equipment, while
also working with Crash Fire Rescue as well as
elements from the Fire Department. Ultimately the goal
is to enhance mutual support during crisis response. All
in all Sgt Hoy keeps us busy with an abundance of T&R
based training. From our deployed section…
During the last week of September MWSS-273
EOD (FWD) assumed responsibility for Isa Air Base from
MWSS-371 EOD. The immediate attention of the team
focused on accountability and function of all response
gear. Following this, the remainder of September
through October the team concentrated on assuring
readiness and conducting training in order to maintain
and enhance our skill set. In conjunction with Army and
Marine SECFOR, EOD conducted response and
prosecution of two training scenarios aboard Isa Air
Base. The training allowed each service to work jointly
in order to manage and control the scene of a singular
threat to base personnel and property. In addition to
these practice scenarios, the section also responded to
one non-training threat at the MWR facility. After careful
interrogation it was determined that the suspect item
was merely a forgotten backpack. Coordination by Sgt
Boatwright with the Army Patriot Battery proved
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 13
extremely beneficial as the section was able to receive
familiarization training on the capabilities, function, and
responsibilities of the Battery and weapons system. A
walk-around session was scheduled and conducted
courtesy of Sgt Espinosa and VMA-225 Ordnance that
allowed us to gain beneficial knowledge on the weapons
systems inherent to the F-18/D. One training range took
place during this period in which the Percussion
Actuated Neutralizer (PAN) was fired in order to practice
precision disruption techniques on mock IEDs. EOD
also conducted in house training by running OCONUS
IED scenarios based off of Afghanistan TTPs, hook-andline training on vehicle access and hazard mitigation, Sgt
Espinosa created and timed us all on a robot agility
course, and there was great rejoicing. Classes were
given on various subjects including EOD tools and
equipment, ordnance items, chemical weapons threats,
EOD reports, and EOD intelligence briefs. Sgt’s
Espinosa and Boatwright also prepared and delivered
UXO/ERW/IED recognition and reporting periods of
instruction to the MWSS ADR and DAT/DART elements.
Overall this period proved busy but productive for the
MWSS-273 (FWD) team, we look forward to continuing
this high training tempo and building our team
capabilities throughout the deployment. Of course, there
was also time for HAL training….
We have had a couple of personnel changes
here as we have lost Mr. Ryan Wilhite to 1st Civ Div
where he will be holed up on the family farm in Virginia
and going into the family construction business. We also
gained Sgt Cooper who joined us upon graduation from
NAVSCOLEOD and had Sgt Malone return to us from
his IA deployment in support of OEF.
MWSS 274 –CWO Edwartowski
Greetings from MWSS-274, more or less located at
scenic and fabulous Cherry Point, NC.
The Marines of MWSS- 274 have been working
fairly hard the last few months, knocking out annual
training requirements and METs, PME and MOS road
map schools. We are currently supporting 2
deployments and just had our OIC and a SSgt
completed ITX 1-14 at 29 Palms while continuing to
operate on a rather reduced footprint here at the shop.
We currently have one team out with the Black Sea
Rotation Force (BSRF) and another currently supporting
Special Purpose MAGTF Crisis Response (SPMAGTFCR).
EOD News Letter
SSgt Chaney currently heads up the team out at
BSRF, and is finding he is busy balancing the multiple
hats of a team leader, command advisor, company
GySgt, and EO Rep as well as conducting TSC. GySgt
Koch and team are at SPMAGTF-CR and are continuing
to integrate and operate with their unit and command
while attempting to conduct some form of TSC and EOD
training to ensure MOS proficiency.
MWSS-274 has been happy to welcome Cpl
Carbajal as an OJT, he come to us from MWSS-274
utilities section. We also sent Sgt Riley on her way to
bigger and better endeavors; she began terminal leave
in November. Finally we would like to wish a happy and
safe holiday season to the EOD community.
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 14
concerns with my immediate bosses for a more MAGTF
unified voice.
JPAC’s are going very well and the line of
accounting I was able to obtain is really alleviating the
stresses of funding off of the units. Next goal is to turn
that line of accounting into an EOD and JPAC line of
accounting to execute future missions, operations, and
training from it.
Take it easy and be safe out there, Semper Fidelis!
3rd EOD Company –
CBIRF –CWO Anderson
Capt Freiburger/MGySgt Holden
Did not submit
Did not submit
III MEF – Capt Soukup
OOH RAH from III MEF. 2013 was a pretty
good year for III MEF EOD and we are looking at an
even busier year coming up. As we begin several
months of partnering with our Allies and government
parties, EOD will have many engagements to keep us
busy. We seem to be making good waves as EOD has
been brought into the fold for much of the planning and
scheme of maneuvers of the executing and participating
units. This will only get better once 3d MLG is staffed
with an EOD MSgt. A couple of ‘wins’ for EOD was the
execution of Operation Damayan in the Philippines and
the need for EOD support and mil-to-mil engagements
for better preparedness amongst the parties. As we
begin to receive requests from our sister services for III
MEF EOD participation and work support, I am able to
lobby our money guys and get us the funds (and
support) to make these things happen. Another ‘win’ as
we mature these relationships.
Receiving guidance from LtCol Miyamoto and
LtCol Corris we have been actively developing and
planning through CIED items and issues (most notably
the FOS for CIED DtD training). Understanding EOD is
not the lead, but a supporter, we are able to drive the
conversation and plans in a manner and direction that
will benefit the warfighter and us for the long run. I am
also highlighting much of the other MEF’s and EOD’s
MWSS 171 –WO Denning
Greetings from Iwakuni, Japan. Things are starting to
slow down a bit from this past summer. From August to
Oct we supported ITX 6-13 in fabulous 29 Palms,
California. Thanks to MWSS 374 we did not have to
sweat our butts off in the Camp Wilson housing. A lot of
thanks goes out to MCB Twenty-nine Palms for all the
help and allowing us to utilize the ranges where we were
able to hit a lot of the T&R events that we cannot hit on
our range in Iwakuni.
MCAS Iwakuni EOD Demolition Island/Range.
In December we sent 3 techs to Guam ISO
Furager Fury II. More or less this exercise was a paid
EOD News Letter
vacation. If you have never been to Guam, this time of
year it is in the (90’s). From Guam we went to an island
called Farrallon De Medinilla (FDM) where we escorted
the JTACS on the target island and stayed there for 5
days while the Marine Corps, Air force and Navy tried to
make this island a little smaller.
We will be sending SSgt Beaton to the
supervisor’s course right after the New Year, so we are
looking forward to his return with all the latest info. After
a lot of work with the command, we finally have some
funds to start sending techs out to get badge level
schooling as well as some much needed PME. So
hopefully this next summer there will not be a heavy
work load and most the techs at MWSS 171 can get
some training completed off island.
Looking Ahead:
-SSgt Weber Inbound, January 2014
-SSgt Burgess, Daniel Outbound to 2nd EOD Co, Feb
2014
-Cobra Gold in Thailand, January -Mar 2014
-MSgt Sutter Inbound, March 2014
-That’s it from Iwakuni, Until next time, “Hammer Down”!
MWSS 172 – CWO Ellis
Greetings from the hidden EOD shop on
Kadena, but not really on Kadena, but still on base
property… If you have been here you know what we
mean.
As October began we conducted some good old
fashioned CBRN training or as some call it “what the hell
does this thing to” training. It was good to open all 45
pelican cases and get the boys thinking about what we
can do for some future training evolutions. We also
welcomed SSgt Barnes to the shop. He joined us after
hearing that MGySgt Holden was retiring and decided to
jump ship before 3rd Company sank…… relax 3rd it was
a joke. We wish MGySgt Holden good luck on all his
future endeavors, thank you for all of your hard work and
dedication to the EOD community.
Besides consistently beating MCB Butler EOD in
wallyball, we also conducted two joint SMUDing ranges
this quarter. During the first range we employed the
M110 SASS to engage M67 fragmentation grenades to
great success. This was also a valuable tool also to
evaluate the Marines from both shops shooting abilities;
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 15
needless to say there are a few non-shooters that will
remain nameless. A couple weeks later we conducted
the second SMUDing range, employing the SASR on
M107 155MM HE projectiles, also to great success.
Both ranges were a great opportunity for our guys to get
time behind the tools and see firsthand what affects both
tool sets can offer on thin and thick cased munitions.
Thanks again to the Butler Base shop for the inviting us
to both ranges
After his year long vacation to Afghanistan Top
Blankenship returned in the beginning of December to
the Okinawa. The next few months of Squadron
nonsense and MarineNet training will have him pleading
to head back for another tour. Also in December we
conducted additional CBRN IED training, performing
EOD actions on a suspect device in the Futenma Air
station Gas Chamber. The training was “enhanced”
when 10 CS capsules were burned to simulate off
gassing of the device. Good times were had by all.
Congratulations to all our new MSGT, WO and CWO
selects. Needless to say if anyone is in the
neighborhood and can find the hidden driveway to get to
your shop, please stop on by.
Stay Safe
CWO2 Ellis
CLB-31 –CWO Carter
CLB 31 returned to Okinawa in early October
finishing up the summer patrol to Australia. We
immediately sent two of our finest, Sgt Crabtree and Sgt
Olsen to Sergeants course where they dominated their
peers. November brought a typhoon to the Philippians
which required the assistance of the 31st MEU. The
team rapidly embarked and we were underway in two
days, where we cut squares for three weeks outside of
the Philippians. Upon our return it was time again for
CLBEX and MEUEX before some well-earned leave.
This year we say good bye to Sgt Crabtree and
Sgt Sackett as they leave us to do bigger and better
things at 3rd EOD Company. SSgt Mills moved on to the
ATC and we received SSgt Potts and Sgt Bullard from
3rd EOD Company.
If you are ever in the area look us up and come
by for a cold drink.
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 16
CLB-3 – CWO Jones
MCB Hawaii – CWO Cheatum
Aloha from Hawaii. This last quarter has seen
the CLB-3, MCBH EOD, and MARFORPAC
representation from LtCol Corris involved in a myriad of
training ops. We started the quarter by doing a four day
advanced Access and Disablement op. MSgt Conner
used some of the knowledge he learned teaching at
AIEDDs to set up a house on our range, which is the
only work he has done since he has been here. After we
gained access to the house, we then tested the
explosive effects of assorted breaching charges. We
rolled right into November and a weeklong inerting op.
We successfully inerted (3) M762A1 fuzes and (2)
SMAWs. This was the first inerting op here on Hawaii in
nearly eight years, but it was a huge success. The
teams successfully laid the groundwork for many more
inerting ops in the future. December brought on our
annual CBRNE training. The guys from SAIC were here
for a week to give us classes on the gear and then run
us through an incident. We are still waiting on MSgt
Conner to complete the energetic tool pit. He is getting
closer, all components are in piles around our compound
and now waiting on a 14 dollar lifting lug that they
shipped by boat. Looks like it will be a couple more
months before it will be finished.
November and December were big months for
some of our Marines. MSgt Conner got selected to
MGySgt (it would appear as though the selection board
does have a sense of humor) and GySgt Carter pinned
on his Master Badge. Hope everyone had a Merry
Christmas and be sure to get your HARP forms
submitted before the New Year’s holiday! If your travels
ever bring you to this tropical paradise, stop on in,
coffee’s cold and the beer is warm and volleyball is
always a welcomed challenge.
Mele Kalikimaka
-MCBH and CLB EOD
SSgt Walker getting words of encouragement from SSgt noll.
EOD News Letter
Marine Corps Base
EOD Teams
MCB Camp Butler- CWO Karr
First quarter FY14 started the year at near a
snail’s pace, considering our budget went from enviable
by any team to virtually non-existent. We hear the
government shut down and assume that’s what was to
blame, but with AFN being our prime news source, we
can never be too sure. However, things are beginning to
look and pick up. We finally got unit funded TAD money,
albeit very little, approved for Sergeant Young to attend
the EOD Supervisor’s Course in January and February.
Past that and with some convincing, the powers that be
have agreed to lighten up a bit with regards to penny
pinching. Hopefully this lead into busier second quarter
and a better read for our next newsletter entry.
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 17
MCB Camp Pendleton –
Capt Roush
Greetings from Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, it has been a somber time here at the base
shop. The tragedy that occurred in the Zulu Impact Area
has forever changed us. We wish the families, friends
and loved ones of our fallen warriors the best in the
difficult times ahead.
In our own battle space, we’ve taken to the
ranges in the CTA as our former and closer training area
has been given back to the Japanese. Thankfully, the
fuel has been turned back on from the first quarter
“cashmageddon” and we’re vehicle mobile again. All
things being considered, we feel like we’re training in the
right direction and are very happy and consider
ourselves fortunate to have the area and assets to
continue toward the mastery of our craft.
We finally received Sergeant Hicks and his wife
Lisa from EOD School, and with minimal action from
Congress finally have them both driving personal
vehicles with newly minted Status of Forces (SOFA)
licenses. Fortunately for him, he was in fact NOT the
clown from JTTOTS gassing up at Dodge’s Station in
Fort Walton. His arrival has found us at T/O, probably
for the first and last time in this millennium, and only for
a short time.
In closing, we’d like to take this opportunity to
offer sincere congratulations to all selected on the CWO
3/4/5, E9, and E8 boards, and announce that our own
Gunnery Sergeant Folden made the cut. “And there was
much rejoicing.”
Should you ever have the good fortune to find
yourself stranded in the Far East, we’re only a phone call
or a short drive away. The door is always open, the beer
always cold. Besides, we’ll only be T/O for so long
before we start having to find other people’s people to do
the work for us.
Out for now.
R408A
On a more positive note, we would like to
welcome Sergeants Kevin Haugh and Trent Countryman
coming to us ‘temporarily’ from the air station here at
Pendleton. We hope you like your new home, now go
wash the trucks!
Just a reminder to the rest of the occfld that we
still do EOD work here (29 Palms excluded). Reference
the picture…although this is the only evidence that we
have of any work as of late. Apparently our reports are
somewhere in the spirit world, also known as EOD IMS
2.0. We thought we were completing an EOD report but
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 18
ended up with health insurance instead?!?
MCB EOD digging on a MK 82 at MP4
Yes that is a non-sparking, non-magnetic, impact
cushioning dirt removal device. And that EOD
Technician is actually naked; Adobe Photoshop does
wonders for the figure.
That is all.
MCB Camp Lejeune
Did not submit
MCB Quantico –
Capt Hamric /MGySgt Slachter
In October we welcomed the newest member of
our team, Sgt Maize who is fresh out of school and so
far appears to be eager to learn and do. Too bad he
didn’t show up in time for our inerting operations on a
few of each: M19 Land Mines, M1 105mm HE and M795
155mm HE projectiles, and PG9 rockets.
Captain Hamric went to greet the redeploying
Marines from 13-1 in Germany and from his stories they
all got hammered, I mean, had a good time and
decompressed.
“I’m on a boat.” SSgts Ramsey and Springfield
supported the Marine Corps Marathon by working
alongside the Coast Guard inspecting bridges along the
route.
We completed a sweep of Range 7 effectively
disposing of multiple munitions varying from 40mm to
155mm. With the help of the MCB Quantico Sentry base
paper we were able to stock our fridge with adult
beverages.
In November we executed some stateside
response training in our Combat Town facility which
included terroristic threats to local municipalities, specific
intended targets, and hoax devices which enabled us to
utilize our equipment as needed in an actual response.
CBIRF came down for a visit and we took our
M107 SASR and M110 SASS for a “walk in the park” to
stretch their bipods.
SSgt McKinney and Sgt Maize attended a
Department of Energy X-Ray rodeo held in “Hogan’s
Alley” in the FBI complex here on Quantico. Vendors
came to demonstrate their newest technology and gain
feedback from the end users in ways to improve their
equipment capabilities.
GySgt Coduto and SSgt McKinney supported
the MCB Quantico Turkey Trot and watched as people
dressed up in turkey costumes, plain workout attire or
just silkies run the 10K race.
EOD News Letter
We enjoyed celebrating MGySgt Slachter’s 40th
Birthday. There was a great turnout and fun was had by
all.
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 19
We were fortunate enough to acquire a new
bomb truck from the Prince George County’s “Sign and
Drive” event. It’s only costing us about $30,000 worth of
upgrades to include lights, paint, radios and other
accoutrements. Hopefully, depending on funding, she’ll
soon be in service.
In December we completed our quarterly OJT
Screening; some motivated and capable, some not so
much.
We took part in a Grade 3 disposal range by including
emergency destruct training for the ASP personnel. It
also served as an excuse for some of the HQ Co staff to
get out from behind their computers and actually enjoy a
day outside for a change.
All that attended the MCB Quantico Christmas party
had a wonderful time. There was food, drinks, corn hole
for those that wished to participate and Santa showed up
to hand out presents. We also provided couples with the
opportunity to kiss under the “missile tow”.
We hope that everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year celebration and
wish everyone the best in the upcoming year.
EOD News Letter
Marine Corps Air Station
EOD Teams
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 20
MCAS Beaufort –
CWO McGinnis
Greetings from the Low Country!
MCAS Pendleton
Did not submit
MCAS Cherry Point – CWO
Gaydeski
Happy New Year from the ever sharp Tip of the
Spear! MCAS Cherry Point has continued to sharpen
our abilities recently sweeping the BT-11 island range
complex where over 650 Mk 76s were located and
handled accordingly. Also we have been introduced to
the new combat pistol marksmanship training, results
may vary.
Around the house we are happy to report that
our building renovation will finally be complete
(hopefully) by the time this goes to press. It has been a
painful experience living in a building that is partially
under renovation; both local MWSS units could not hack
it and opted to go to Afghanistan instead.
Lastly, as a follow up report on the month of
Moctober: The Grand Prize went to the resident OJT
and his 3/5ths of a moustache. More worthy specimens
were attrited throughout the month by various incidents
such as command hearings, lack of enthusiasm from the
better half, SNCO Academy, and court appearances. In
the end the OJT was the only one left standing. Morale
is at an all-time low.
“Punctum Hastae”
Hello again from Sunny Beaufort! We hope this
entry finds all of you specifically those of you forward
deployed doing well.
Since we last wrote, our own Gunnery Sergeant
Chjrapin has been promoted to his current rank of
Master Sergeant. We couldn’t be prouder to have him
wearing the additional rocker. He is already cashing
checks and snapping necks around here. We also had
the chance to recognize Staff Sergeant McLeod with a
Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal for his
considerable effort and tremendous impact while serving
as our Operations Chief. In tandem with that, he has
been selected to represent the MCAS at the MCIEAST
meritorious Gunnery Sergeant board. We wish him the
best of luck!
This quarter has been yet another busy time
here in South Carolina. We have had several training
opportunities and some decent responses that have
made things pretty interesting. Most recently the section
completed the HAZMAT technician certification course.
Your local federal fire guys are required to have this
course so getting in is pretty easy and free. Although a
bit off the beaten path with regards to the core skill sets
we as a field bring to the table, it is a good course to
increase your level of awareness in a HAZMAT incident.
We would recommend those at bases and stations as
well as anyone else who can get in with them to attend.
For those at bases and stations, it gives you a chance to
have a close look at those you are supporting before you
get that call for a suspect powder or leaking drum with
weird wires sticking out of it. We as a field are all trained
to do personal decontamination, if we are honest with
ourselves, that skill set has taken a back burner over the
many years at war. As a side note, HAZMAT awareness
and HAZMAT Operators course (Not to be confused with
HAZWOPER) are course prerequisites. Again your local
Fed Fire guys can be a big help in that endeavor.
The next couple of months we have Staff
Sergeant Golden and Sergeant Rogers headed off to
their respective resident PME. They are both as giddy as
school girls to get the chance to wear service bravos 5
days a week. Master Sergeant Chjrapin is scheduled for
EOD News Letter
the February Supervisor’s course and the Master
Sergeant symposium at the soonest.
We are also waiting the execute order on a
pretty big reclamation operation that is occurring in our
own back yard. The state of Georgia is doing dredging
operations to support increased commerce to the port of
Savannah. Smack in the middle of the suggested
dredging path is the CSS Georgia, which was scuttled to
prevent capture in the 1860’s. Within that wreckage is an
unknown amount of projectiles that are going to be
recovered. It has already been requested that USMC
EOD inert these items. Once we have the 5 W’s we are
going to put out the welcome mat for those who would
like to get involved. The operation is tentatively
scheduled to commence this summer.
Anyway, back to the grind. If you are in the area
stop by the coffee is hot, and most days so is the range.
Stay Low
MCAS Beaufort EOD
MCAS Miramar-CWO
Palumbo
Greetings from Saint Diego,
It’s after Christmas; it’s 70 and sunny with a slight
breeze. Everyone down here is doing well and we have
enjoyed our holiday season. Hope everyone else has as
well. A few faces have come and gone and we have
sent them off with a few mementos as they have left us
with a few as well. Not gonna say any names…..but if
yours starts with an “S” and ends with a “hoda”; you left
behind a disgusting mess crammed under the desk in
the training office. Not only was it a delight to find in
such a dark space but the real mystery as to why you
wear such small socks….Where do you shop at, Baby
Gap? It looks like a hobbit’s eye patch.
That’s all we have got from down here, for the time
being. To all who have braved the elements in
inhospitable places, we applaud you. You are better
than us!!! Stop by and say hi if you’re in the area. We’ll
BBQ and share in a frosty barley pop.
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 21
MCAS Yuma- CWO Herman
Greetings from the Arizona Desert and MCAS Yuma!
Well, the winter is now upon us, and the winter
visitor’s, aka: “Snow Birds” have migrated into town.
The road conditions are now extremely dangerous,
especially as the new Snow Birds attempt to park their
55 foot RV’s into the handicapped parking spaces at the
local parking lots. This month we will have the Desert
Firex Portion hosted at the ranges here, and next month
we will see some uptick in the operations as we progress
into the Scorpion Fire exercise.
The MCAS Yuma shop will be welcoming MSGT
Gravely in the coming weeks, and we are looking
forward to having his expertise and knowledge to pass
around. October saw the departure of CWO Wade as
he made his way to the Arizona Department of Public
Safety (DPS, the highway patrol here) Academy.
Wade’s Operation DPS Has been in full swing for a
couple of years now, and he should be getting yelled at
and counseled by many and much younger police
officers by now.
This Falls WTI went off without a hitch, and the
all of the EOD Techs involved did a great job with the
continued support throughout the entire exercise. This
spring’s WTI is fast approaching, and before we know it
we will be back in the Chocolate’s looking for bombs.
October also saw the EOD section conduct some
CBRNE training with the help of SAIC. The week long
training event was extremely successful, and all involved
were well trained. The gear performed well, and some
SOP development was identified on how to improve our
response capabilities.
That is all from MCAS Yuma for now, and as the
holiday’s approach we here at Yuma want to wish all a
happy and safe holiday season.
Have a good one.
MCAS Iwakuni-GySgt Jones
We do not have anything worthwhile to submit.
EOD News Letter
Special Operations
Command
MARSOC
Did not submit
1st MSOB –
Did not submit
2nd MSOB
Did not submit
3 MSOB
rd
Did not submit
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 22
TECOM / TRNCOM
MarDet NAVSCOLEOD
MARDET Eglin:
-Newly arrived: Welcome aboard to Capt Pilcher, MSgt
Carnevale, HM3 Danet (Short Round, a welcome
addition to the medical section).
-In bound: N/A.
-Outbound: CWO4 Colton is bound for the EODATC in
the summer, CWO3 Branch headed to Cherry Point,
MSgt Carnavale leaving for Camp Lejeune, GySgt
Depew is pending separation, Sgt Smallwood will EAS
from the Marine Corp.
-GySgt Hernandez had a welcome addition to his family,
Daniel Rafael Hernandez, a son born on 130725. GySgt
Bill has a new one at home as well, Everly Bill, a
daughter born on 131114.
-Congratulations to CWO4 Colton and CWO3 Branch on
selection to the next rank (a lot of keen competition out
there), MSgt Carnavale selection to MGySgt, SSgt
Harrison on selection to WO (no competition), GySgt
Konop was promoted in January, and SSgt Johnson is
still waiting to be a big tough GySgt, Harkins got
promoted to HM3 (again). GySgt (Chief) Bill is selected
for MSgt.
-A good time was had by all at our Marine Corps Ball,
and nobody went to jail this year.
-The School Demolition Division is going to break ground
on their new lightning proof training shelter, to keep the
lightning holds to a minimum.
-Please continue to stringently screen potential
candidates for the field. A few students check in every
month with no clearance started. If you are receiving
any pushback from your commands about initiating
SSBI’s because they like to interpret things their own
special way, please let us know, we can provide back up.
We have an AMHS message with their name on it; in
condition one, aimed at their face! Commands don’t like
derogatory AMHS messages. We know that all you fine
EOD Technicians out there are the pointy end of the
shaft, and we are the other end, but students that show
up should have all of their uniforms, they should be
serviceable, and actually fit (we do have uniform
EOD News Letter
inspections here). It would help if they were able to pass
a PFT and CFT with a 1st Class. We do those too.
-If anyone is interested in coming here to be an
instructor shoot an email or phone call to Master Guns
and we’ll go from there. That is not a guarantee that you
will become one but if you want the ball to start to roll he
is Point A.
-AIEDD: In accordance with the JFTR any techs coming
here to attend AIEDD need to check with on-base
lodging, the White Sands Inn for room availability. The
White Sands Inn should be the Marines first option for
billeting while here to attend AIEDD. Only if there is no
room at the White Sands should you or your Marines be
making room reservations off base. If there is no
availability at the White Sands Inn they will provide the
Letter of Non-Availability. It is not the MARDET's
responsibility to provide a Letter of Non-Availability. If
they come here and stay out in town and cannot get a
letter from the White Sands they will be paying their
lodging bill out of pocket. There will be more information
to follow on this matter in a welcome aboard package
that will be sent to all incoming techs.
White Sands Inn
404 7th St Eglin AFB, FL 32542
(850) 882-5025
-As the EOD Operational Advisory Group (OAG) is not
that far off, the same applies to Letters of NonAvailability so please keep that in mind in your planning.
If you are tasked with briefing at the EOD OAG you can
provide a copy of the brief to us prior to your arrival so it
can be pre-loaded to the computer. If the brief is in the
SECRET realm, coordinate with us so we can ensure
receipt of the brief and lock on a laptop capable of
classified material. If there is any other assistance from
this end required, just ask.
-The MARDET GySgt is now SSgt Johnson (big tough
GySgt select); GySgt (Chief) Bill didn’t make it (voted off
the island).
-Final parting comments relate to the EOD and SNCO
Distribution List. For some reason the staff here at
NAVSCOLEOD sometimes does not receive information
disseminated through the community distribution list. To
ensure important material is received by this command,
please ensure that you use
[email protected]. This will go
directly to the leadership of the MARDET.
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 23
Hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year. We look forward to seeing “some” of you at
the EOD OAG this spring but just remember… the coffee
and food is not free so don’t be surprised when we ask
for a couple dollars to cover our overhead. And if you
require medical support in your recovery after a night on
the town, there will be a medical surcharge due to the
new Affordable Health Care Law.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
EODATC –
Capt Quiroz/MGySgt Rhodes
Things have gone from bad to worse this
quarter; the anticipated government shutdown has
occurred and we are the mercy of Congress. All TADs
have been cancelled and all Marines are directed to
return to their permanent duty station if in a TAD status.
Luckily, we do not have any students on deck as of yet
for EOD Supervisor Course 2014010, but the course has
been cancelled until further notice. All student
registrations are cancelled and commands will have to
resubmit all nominations for future courses.
Since we don’t have anything better to do right
now due to the government shutdown, we are occupying
our time by getting caught up in other areas. As it is a
new quarter, there is always CMR reconciliation and
plenty of gear inventories to do. As luck would have it,
Marines from MWSS-273 are visiting the High Desert
and gladly volunteered to assist the EODATC in this
arduous duty (apparently, they don’t have anything to do
either). Seriously though, many thanks go out to them
for all the help.
Disaster averted; okay, so the government
shutdown didn’t last that long (16 days) but it has still
been a huge pain in the ass, since most civilians have
been sent home and Marines no longer know how to do
anything related to the military - it’s all done by civilians
now! TADs are back on and GySgt Moran has left us for
the time being in order to complete his resident PME at
the SNCOA Advanced Course aboard Camp Pendleton.
EOD News Letter
SSgt Winjum is currently attending the MTVR 7-Ton
Course aboard the Combat Center.
In November, the Combat Center EOD Team
hosted their Annual Halloween Party (wait a minute, isn’t
Halloween in October and Thanksgiving in November?).
A great time was had by all in attendance, despite the
absence of GySgt Gonzalez who recently PCS’d and
used to organize all the festivities. Sgt Kastenschmidt’s
wife gladly took over as the resident party organizer and
did a fabulous job of organizing the function. Activities
included games, face painting, best costume and tastiest
food contest (both rigged!), and a balloon artist (I don’t
want a hat, make me a bicycle Clown!). Unfortunately, a
stomach virus incapacitated several of the Marines and
families in the days following the party. Thanks a lot
MCAGCC, who the hell brought the sick kid!?
New Joins. This quarter we welcomed GySgt
Treme from 1st EOD Company, his wife Renee and their
son Sarun. We also welcomed MSgt McGrath from 3rd
EOD Company, his wife Jaylene and their children
Benjamin and Phoebe. GySgt Moran who was about to
leave us this quarter bound 3rd EOD Company, also had
a new join. Congratulations go out to GySgt Moran and
his wife Audrey on the birth of their daughter, Maggie.
Sorry 3rd, but Gunny’s departure has been delayed and
shifted to the right.
News Flash! The EODATC has acquired a
M198 Howitzer for training purposes. Students will now
have an actual 155mm Howitzer to conduct Lodged
Projectile procedures on, vice the old 105mm Howitzer
that many of us have known and used for decades. It’s
not a M777, but beggars can’t be choosy. We now have
our sights on acquiring a few foreign armor systems and
various weapons platforms to enhance training even
further.
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 24
Promotions! Congratulations go out to all the
Marines who were selected for promotion to Master
Gunnery Sergeant and Master Sergeant. Here at home,
Master Sergeants Mannon and Schuchhardt were both
selected for Master Gunnery Sergeant, and Gunnery
Sergeants Gorman and Treme were both selected for
Master Sergeant. Rolling deep!
Administrative Notes: All students nominated to
attend courses at the EODATC must be vetted through
unit SNCOICs and OICs – do not nominate yourself.
Ensure students meet the prerequisites for respective
courses. Units are not authorized to register students in
MCTIMS via their S3; units must submit nominations to
EODATC for registration in MCTIMS (Attn: MSgt
Mannon/MSgt Swanson). All students registered in
MCTIMS will receive a Welcome Aboard package,
ensure you read it and provide all deliverables to the
EODATC via the listed POCs (submit SAAR, ensure you
have EODIMS account, pre-reading list, uniform/gear,
ensure JPAS is submitted to SMO Code MS3305STUD,
POC MSgt Mannon).
In closing, on 13 November a tragic accident
occurred aboard Camp Pendleton during the annual
Zulu Impact area range clearance. While clearing the
impact areas of unexploded ordnance, a detonation
occurred resulting in the death of four Marines. Killed in
the blast were GySgt Gregory J. Mullins, SSgt Mathew
R. Marsh, SSgt Eric W. Summers, and Sgt Miguel Ortiz.
These Marines made the ultimate sacrifice, and will
never be forgotten. With deep sympathy in our hearts,
our condolences go out to the families and loved ones of
these Marines.
Methods of Entry School –
CWO3 Buckles
Holiday greetings and salutations to all from the
Methods of Entry School. As always, we have been
busy creating new breachers at Marine Corps Base
Quantico for the Fleet Marine Force. We recently
welcomed one a handful of EOD Technicians with the
last name of Small, GySgt Jordan Small, to be exact from
1st EOD Company. He showed up with a full head of
slicked back hair ready to work.
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 25
On 17 September 2013, the new WTBn barracks
were officially named for MSgt Adam F. Benjamin Hall.
Marines who attend the MOES and other training at
WTBn will now be living in relative comfort and enjoying
the new facilities. There was a good showing at the
ceremony, with several former MOES OICs, SNCOICs, to
include Mr. Frank Skinner, Mr. Mongo Klabenes, and
Mr. Paul Spencer as well as a multitude of other EOD
Technicians, both active and retired from the area.
Adam’s family was genuinely pleased with the event
and grateful for the effort put into it.
In January, we will be hosting the Course
Curriculum Review Board. Although much of the
communications will occur via telephone and email, we
should have a good representation of our target
student population and have high hopes on improving
an already good product. We wish you a Merry
Christmas and a happy new year.
Benjamin Hall Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 17 Sept 2013
(Right to Left: MCB Quantico CO: Col David Maxwell;
MSgt Benjamin’s Mother: Mrs. Judy Watters; MSgt
Benjamin’s Father: Mr. Frank Benjamin; WTBN CO: Col
Glenn Guenther) (photo Courtesy of the Quantico
Sentry)
MCTOG – GySgt McKinney
Did not submit
MCB Twentynine Palms –
Maj Callahan
Greetings from the high desert.
MSgt Adam F. Benjamin (photo courtesy of 2nd EOD
Company)
It seems to be non-stop around this place over
the past several months. During the month of October
we conducted our quarterly Lateral Move
interview/screening with the assistance of the Marines
from MWSS-372 and EOD ATC. Of the five candidates
we recommended four for Later Move. Aside from our
daily routine we also supported Twentynine Palms
Pioneer days with a static display and our first ever
LINKs “Day in the Life of a Marine” day. Naturally, EOD
was a big hit as the best most exciting unit the ladies
visited that day. Many enjoyed getting into the Bomb
Suit and operating robots. Although none of the ladies
were wives of EOD technicians, I am certain they went
home that evening trying to convince their spouse to LAT
Move. Some photos of the event below:
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 26
The West Coast Marine Corps EOD Ball was a
huge success and was glad to be a part of the event.
Job well done by 1st EOD Company in organizing the
Ball. Great venue, the guest speaker was also great and
a good time had by all. We support the High Desert Long
Range Shooting Match held here at 29 Palms from 1417 November. Our role is to set up a small shot on the
target. This year’s opening remarks and first shot was
honored to SgtMaj Wilburn (ret). Sgt Maj is 94 years old
and has a lot of stories to tell. Needless to say he was
quite surprised when his shot blew out the entire “10”
ring at 1000 yards. In addition to all of that fun, we
supported a quick VIPPSA mission to LA.
In keeping with our annual Halloween family get
together, this year’s event was yet another success. The
guys made carnival style games including a grenade
toss. Due to the Battalions Family Day event being
cancelled earlier in the month, we were able to capitalize
on all of the stuff they had pre-purchased; clowns, face
painters and tons of prizes. We declined the petting zoo
animals. As always we have a have prizes for best
cooking. SSgt Navarro’s wife won with her lumpia. She
is always welcome to make lumpia for the shop, but can
no longer enter it in any contest. It is an unfair
advantage; it is that good.
December…Nearly Christmas; how time seems
to fly, but the operational and training requirements do
not seem to let up any. We supported an OCONUS
VIPPSA to Vietnam, nearly every day sweeping ranges
or getting caught-up with our inerting. We also had the
opportunity to send Sergeants Kastenschmidt and
Morales to stand duties at the White House for the
Month of January. The Joint Robotics Repair Facility
located aboard MAGTF-TC has closed its doors for good
and fortunately for us we were able to take over their
building. We will use it as warehouse storage; getting all
the gear and equipment we have stored in hot dusty 40
footers and into climate controlled space. If any unit is in
need of an RC-60, I have plenty to give away. All the
attachments as too.
MAGTF-TC is expanding to the West. Roughly
200,000 more acres now belongs to the Marine Corps.
Training in the newly acquired land area is not
scheduled until later this year. With only 12 personnel
on deck, it will be a challenge to keep pace with range
clearances, target rebuilds/insert and UXO responses. If
you came into this field to become an EOD technician
this is the place to be. Talk with MSgt Blum for your
orders.
Until next quarter; be safe.
EOD News Letter
MarDet JIEDDO –
GySgt Barajas
Did not submit
JPAC
Did not submit
DTRA
Did not submit
DNWS
Did not submit
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 27
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 28
Retirements
Master Gunnery Sergeant John P. Rhodes
2013 ended with the retirement of MGySgt John P. Rhodes after 20 years of service. Being the quiet professional
that he is, the Master Guns requested a small private ceremony for family and friends. The ceremony was held at the 29
Palms Base EOD Shop on 13 December. Congratulations go out to John, his wife Rene, and their children Tyler and
Hanna. They will remain in the area until the kids finish school, and then relocate to Alabama. John will certainly be
missed as he has greatly impacted the EOD community during his time in uniform. We wish them all the best of luck in
their future endeavors. Fair winds and following seas, Semper Fi!
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 29
Stephen H. Negahnquet
Executive Assistance to the Chairman, Military Technical Acceptance Board
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division
Lieutenant Colonel Negahnquet was born on 7 March 1948 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated from Macomb
High School, Macomb, Oklahoma in 1966, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from
Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas.
Enlisting in the Marine Corps on 15 November 1967, he underwent recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San
Diego, California. After completion of Infantry Training School April 1968, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines
and later to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Republic of Vietnam.
Upon re-enlistment Lieutenant Colonel Negahnquet was assigned to Naval Weapons Station, Marine Corps Barracks,
Concord, California 1972. As a meritorious promoted sergeant he was selected to attend Naval School Explosive
Ordnance Disposal, Indian Head, Maryland. After graduation in 1974, he was assigned to EOD Team, Marine Air Group14, 2nd Marine Air Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina, EOD Team, Marine Air Group-36, 1st Marine Air Wing, Okinawa,
Japan, and EOD Team, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
Promoted to Warrant Officer in February 1981, his assignments as an officer include duties as EOD Officer, Marine Corps
Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, EOD Officer 1st Marine Air Wing, Okinawa, Japan, EOD Officer, NAVSCOLEOD, Indian
Head, Maryland, EOD Platoon Commander, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, and later
as Headquarter and Service Company Commander, Okinawa, Japan.
In September 1990 Lieutenant Colonel Negahnquet was deployed to Southwest Asia during Desert Shield and Desert
Storm as the Platoon Command, 2nd EOD Platoon, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group,
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In August 1993, he was assigned as the Marine Corps EOD Action Officer, Logistics Plans
and Operations Branch, Headquarters, Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., Officer in Charge, Marine Corps Administration
Detachment, NAVSCOLEOD, Indian Head, Maryland, Officer in Charge, Marine Crops Detachment, NAVEODTECHDIV,
Indian Head, Maryland. Lieutenant Colonel Negahnquet was once again assigned in 30 November 1999 to Headquarters
Marine Corps as the EOD Action Officer, Logistics, Plans and Operations Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps.
Mr. Negahnquet retired from active service in 2001. Mr. Negahnquet worked for Resource Management Concepts, Inc.,
Lexington Park, Maryland that provided support to NAVAIRSYSCOM and NAWCAD, Patuxent River, Maryland and
Dahlgren, Virginia regarding range management, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) program requirements and
specific environmental/range requirements.
In 2004, he assumed the duties as Branch Head of the Intelligence and Technical Support Center (TSC), 2010 Industrial
Division, Industrial and Management Resources Department, and 2012 Executive Assistance to the Chairman, Military
Technical Acceptance Board, NSWC, Indian Head, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division.
Mr. Negahnquet’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
Medal with Combat V and two gold stars, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V,
Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star and is authorized to wear the Master EOD Technician breast insignia.
Mr. Negahnquet is married to the former Claudia Rhodes of La Plata, Maryland. They have four children: Stephen, an Air
Traffic Controller, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, Karen Smith, a purchasing agent for the city of Denton, Texas, William, a
staff sergeant in the Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Thomas, a technician for AmeriGas,
Fredericksburg, Virginia. They will make King George, Virginia as their home.
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 30
All Gave Some, Some Gave All
GySgt Mullins, Gregory J.
11/13
SSgt Marsh, Mathew R.
11/13
SSgt Summers, Eric W.
11/13
Sgt Ortiz, Miguel
11/13
SSgt Mote, Sky R.
08/12
Sgt Huling, John P.
05/12
SSgt Frankhauser, Joseph H.
04/12
SSgt D’Augustine, Joseph
03/12
SSgt Stephen J. Dunning
10/11
SSgt Sprovtsoff, Nicholas A.
09/11
Sgt Patron, Daniel J.
08/11
GySgt Pate, Ralph “E.J.”
06/11
Sgt Day, David P.
04/11
SSgt Perkins, Adam L.
05/10
U
U
GySgt Eckard, Christopher W.
02/10
SSgt Taylor, Aaron J.
10/09
U
U
U
U
MSgt Benjamin, Adam F.
U
GySgt Spicer, David S.
U
U
U
CWO2 Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
U
U
SSgt Woodall, Peter
04/07
U
U
SSgt Callahan, William J.
04/07
SSgt Gould, Dustin M.
03/07
U
U
10/06
U
U
08/06
08/06
U
Sgt Noyes, Justin L.
07/06
GySgt Fry, John D.
03/06
U
U
U
GySgt Martone, Justin R.
07/10
U
06/07
U
GySgt Eastman, Christopher L.
U
SSgt Stephen Wilson
U
0810
U
06/07
U
Sgt Phillips, John P.
UU
MSgt Fedder, Daniel L.
U
Sgt Martin, Shawn P.
U
U
08/10
U
08/07
SSgt Williams, Dwayne E.
GySgt Holley, Floyd E.
U
Sgt Micheal Tayaoato
U
10/10
U
06/08
Sgt Walsh, Justin T.
SSgt Cullins, Joshua J.
U
SSgt Strickland, Christopher D
U
11/10
U
02/09
U
U
SSgt Emrick, Jordan B.
U
SSgt Hansen, Daniel L.
U
11/10
U
03/09
U
U
Sgt Smith, Jason T.
U
GySgt Roy III, John H.
U
12/10
U
04/09
U
U
GySgt Schmalstieg, Justin E
U
SSgt Wojciechowski, Mark A
U
03/06
U
SSgt Pospisil, Kenneth B.
12/05
MSgt Angus, Brett E.
11/05
U
U
U
U
GySgt Boatman, Darrell
11/05
SSgt Tsue, Daniel A.
11/05
U
U
U
U
SSgt Dameron, Joel P.
U
10/05
U
SSgt Lehto, Jason A
U
12/04
U
GySgt Clark, Micheal J.
07/04
08/09
SSgt Dame, William C.
12/99
07/09
SSgt Calaway, Robert T.
03/95
06/09
SSgt Burt, Roy W.
09/94
U
U
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 31
All Gave Some, Some Gave All
Capt Burmeister, William C.
05/91
1Lt. Reger, Verol L.
07/44
Sgt Mattoni, Michael C.
12/90
2Lt. Blakeslee, Leslie
11/43
SSgt Soifert, Allen H.
10/83
SSgt Parshall, James S.
12/75
SSgt Shryock, Richard L.
12/75
Sgt Underwood, James H.
12/75
SSgt Fetty, Clarence
03/69
Capt Cook, Marvin Jr.
01/69
Capt Jones, James W.
08/68
CWO4 Vick, William W.
08/68
SSgt Beck, John R.
08/68
SSgt Morrison, Gene F.
06/68
Sgt Vasquez, Jesus R.
01/68
MSgt Buck, George E. Jr.
04/64
1Lt. Brown, Gilbert L
11/57
Capt Porter, Ben C
09/53
Sgt Bird, John O.
09/53
Sgt Stahala, Howard R.
09/53
1Lt. Harris, Alan M.
06/52
SSgt Morris, Robert E.
03/52
Cpl Bennett, Marshal E.
03/51
SSgt Spudich, John M.
10/50
TSgt Meister, Paul E.
09/50
TSgt Moeling, John J.
09/44
EOD News Letter
HQMC (LPE-2)
Maj Sheldstad
Mr. Tarter
MGySgt LIppert
FPID
Capt Perry
MCWL
LtCol Glass
Maj Lucas
MMEA
MSgt Blum
MARCORSYSCOM
MGySgt Lamer
MSgt Farmer
MarDet NAVEODTECHDIV
Maj Smith.
MGySgt Loechler
GySgt Kindvall
GySgt Kilpatrick
SSgt Southerland
SSgt Butterfield
SSgt Jones.
MARFORPAC
LtCol Corris
MARFORCOM
LtCol Miyamoto
I MEF
Capt Volz
CWO David
CWO Batie
st
1 EOD Co
CAPT SOTO
CWO3 RUDIS
CWO2 MASON
CWO2 ELIAS
CWO2 DEMPSEY
CWO2 BATIE
MGYSGT LUTHER
1STSGT ELLINGTON
MSGT LEPPING
MSGT GRAEBNER
MSGT CANADAY
GYSGT WHITENER
GYSGT STENARD
GYSGT SMITH
GYSGT SCARBOROUGH
GYSGT MCINERNEY
GYSGTMCCAFFERTY
GYSGT MALDONADO
GYSGT HURBAN
GYSGT HERBERT
GYSGTHEATHMAN
GYSGT CONNOR
GYSGT BOUTEN
GYSGT BARNES
GYSGT STRADER
SSGT ZIERVOGEL
SSGT VIA
SSGT TORCELLO
SSGT THOMPSON
SSGT STRAUB
SSGT STRAIT
SSGT STEVENS
SSGT SKELLY
SSGT SHEA
SSGT SAWYER
SSGT REUTER
SSGT PLATFOOT
SSGT PETRI
SSGT PEREZ
SSGT PALMER
SSGT NGUYEN
SSGT MORGAN
SSGT MOORE
SSGT MCLENNAN
SSGT MARINI
SSGT LIGHTNER
SSGT LEVINE
SSGT KENNEALLY
SSGT JOYCE
SSGT IRVIN
SSGT HOUSENICK
SSGT HILTY
SSGT HANSON
SSGT HAMPTON
SSGT GRUNKE
SSGT FUCHS
SSGT CONLON
SSGT CONARD
SSGT CHINTALA
SSGT BROWN C.
SSGT BROWN M.
SSGT BLANCHE
SSGT GOHEEN
SSGT JOHNSON
SGT WORLEY
SGT VINCENT
SGT VAZQUEZ
SGT TIRADO
SGT SMITH
SGTRODGERS
SGT ROBINSON
SGT QUINONEZ
SGT PURYEAR
SGT PIERRE
SGT PEARSON
SGT PEARCE
SGT MIZELL
SGT MEEKINS
SGT MCCONNELL
SGT MARTINEZ
SGT MARTIN
SGT LEACH
SGT KIMMERLING
SGT JONES
SGT JACKSON
SGT HUNTLEY
SGT HOLL
SGT HARTMAN
SGT GEGENHEIMER
SGT FIRTH
SGT FERNANDEZ
SGT CAMPBELL
Oct – Dec 2013
SGTBUSH
SGT BOCKSNICK
SGT BARNES
SGT ANDERSON
SGT CHENG
SGT JONES II
SGT LESTERICK
SGT MATZ
SGT MORGAN
SGT NICHOLAS (OJT)
SGT DERFELT (OJT)
SGT GRAVLEY (OJT)
SGT PENTE
SGT RENDON
SGT SWEDIN
SGT THOMPSON
SGT WATSON
SGT WHITE
SGT ALVARADO
CPL YOCUM
CPL RESENDEZ
CPL ROSAS
PO2 CLARNO
PO3 PADDLETY
CLB-11
CWO2 MINKLER
MSGT FAULS
GYSGT BENDER
SSGT CALLOWAY
SSGT NOLEN
SGT CARDENAS
SGT RICHARD
SGT KLING
CLB-13
CWO2 ELIAS
SSGT HOLLADAY
SSGT DELMONT
SSGT HAMPTON
SSGT SAWYER
SSGT REUTER
SSGT TORCELLO
SGT VAZQUEZ
SGT RODGERS
SGT PEARSON
SGT BARNES
SGT JACKSON
CLB-15
CWO2 MCCULLIN
MSGT ADLE
SSGT ARNOLD
SSGT WRIGHT
SGT SHRADER
rd
3 MAW
MWSS 371
WO Otto J.P.
MSgt Manor T.J.
GySgt Hunt K.J.
SSgt Burke M.C.
SSgt Doty L.J.
SSgt Wright S.R.
Sgt Brewer A.R.
Page 32
Sgt Midcalf K.W.
Sgt Jones C.L.
MWSS-372
MWSS-373
MWSS- 374
II MEF
Maj Barker
CBIRF
2
nd
EOD Co
2
nd
MAW
MWSS-271
CWO2 Mazza
GySgt Robertson
SSgt Murphy
SSgt Hill
Sgt Taylor
Sgt Davis
Sgt Schaefer
Sgt Schulz
Sgt Heyer
MWSS-272
CWO2 Lindsey
MSgt Oldham
GySgt Prosser
SSgt Edwards
SSgt Stankus
Sgt Gerhards
Sgt Cooper
Sgt Seaver
MWSS-273
CWO3 Morgan
MSgt Lee
GySgt Eyrich
GySgt Seiler
SSgt Lucker
Sgt Hoy
Sgt Malone
Sgt Espinosa
Sgt Boatwright
Sgt Cooper
MWSS-274
CWO3 Edwartoski
MSgt Isele
GySgt Koch
SSgt Chaney
SSgt Janowski
SSgt Whittemore
Sgt Steele
Sgt Tharp
Cpl Carbajal (OJT)
III MEF
Capt Soukup
rd
3 EOD Co
MWSS-171
WO Denning
SSgt Beaton
EOD News Letter
SSgt Burgess
Sgt Schaffer
Sgt Hartman
Sgt Firestone
Sgt Peterson
Sgt Brian
Sgt Mitchell
MWSS-172
CWO2 Ellis
MSgt Blankenship
GySgt Ray
SSgt Acevedo
SSgt Barnes
SSgt Passage
Sgt Mead
Sgt Bright
Sgt Lindenmuth
CLB-31
WO Carter
MSgt Bebout
SSgt Morrison
SSgt Potts
Sgt Bullard
Sgt Christensen
Sgt Dearing
Sgt Laffoon
Sgt Olsen
Sgt Siemer
CLB-3 EOD
CWO2 Jones
MSgt Donahue
GySgt Attson
GySgt Carter
SSgt Sleppy
SSgt Hechler
Sgt Lopez
MCB Camp Butler
CWO2 Karr
MGySgt Williams
GySgt Folden
GySgt Miller
SSgt Griffin
SSgt Ludwig
Sgt Hicks
Sgt Young
HM1 Roberts
MCB Camp Pendleton
Capt Roush
MSgt Glau
GySgt Holloway
SSgt McDonald
Sgt Bejarano
Sgt Buchanan
Sgt Dupont
Sgt Countryman*
Sgt Haugh*
*TAD from MCAS Camp
Pendleton
MCB Camp Lejeune
Oct – Dec 2013
MCB Quantico
Capt Hamric
MGySgt Slachter
MGySgt Chavez
GySgt Coduto
SSgt Springfield
SSgt Ramsey
SSgt Shankle
SSgt Mckinney
SSgt Myslinski
Sgt Maize
MARSOC
MCB Hawaii
CWO3 Cheatum
MSgt Conner
MSgt Eggers
SSgt Walker
SSgt Noll
SSgt Smith
Sgt Muro
3 MSOB EOD
MCAS Camp Pendleton
MCAS Cherry Point
CWO-2 Gaydeski
MSgt Walker
GySgt Coyne
SSgt Berryman
SSgt McGlew
Sgt Kunst
Sgt Vuocolo
MCAS Beaufort
CWO4 McGinnis
GySgt Chrjapin
SSgt Anderson
SSgt McLeod
SSgt Golden
Sgt Rogers
Sgt Loflin
MCAS Miramar
CWO Palumbo
MSgt Donald
SSgt McQuillan
SSgt Sumner
SSgt March
Sgt AmayaRamos
Sgt Chavez
Sgt Adams
MCAS Yuma
CWO3 Hermann
MSgt Sutter
GySgt Bateman
SSgt Meyer
Sgt Grieder
Sgt Swain
MCAS Iwakuni
GySgt Jones
GySgt McCarty
SSgt Bercot
SSgt McKean
Sgt Al-Abid
Sgt Beltz
Sgt Howell
Sgt Valentine
st
1 MSOB EOD
MSOC Alpha
MSOC Bravo
MSOC Charlie
2nd MSOB EOD
rd
MarDet NAVSCOLEOD
Maj Schmidt
Capt Pilcher
CWO4 Colton
MGySgt Williams
SSgt Johnson
GySgt Whatley
Sgt Smallwood
Cpl Woods
HM1 Baer
HM3 Danet
HM3 Harkins
CWO3 Branch
MSgt Carnavale
MSgt Small
GySgt Bill
GySgt Depew
GySgt Disla
GySgt Hernandez
GySgt Key
GySgt Konop
GySgt Rash
GySgt Sheals
SSgt Andela
SSgt Harrison
SSgt Zambon
EODATC
Capt Quiroz
MSgt Schuchhardt
MSgt Mannon
MSgt Swanson
MSgt McGrath
GySgt Moran
GySgt Gorman
GySgt Treme
SSgt Winjum
SSgt Jackson
MOES
CWO4 Buckles
GySgt Meredith
GySgt Slattum
GySgt Palomo
GySgt Hraha
SSgt Rodgers
MCTOG
Page 33
MAGTFTC 29 Palms
Maj Callahan
MGySgt Alexander
SSgt Navarro
SSgt Franke
SSgt Broz
SSgt Engstrom
Sgt Arden
Sgt Kastenschmidt
Sgt Morales
Sgt Stuteville
Sgt Bennett
Sgt Seibert
MARDET JIEDDO
GySgt Barajas
JPAC
DTRA
DNWS
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 34
EOD Info and Links
EOD Warrior Foundation
U
Happy New Year! The EOD Warrior Foundation is moving full speed ahead into 2014. Our mission in 2014 is to continue
to provide solid support and expand our services, as our team remains committed to this great community. As you know,
the EOD Memorial Foundation and Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation merged together in March 2013, forming one entity
to serve the EOD community. Last year we provided over $290K in assistance to our wounded EOD warriors, their
families, and our legacy families. Over the past 12 years our EOD community has endured many unfortunate and
unforeseen circumstances, but rest assured that the EOD Warrior Foundation will be there to support our EOD Family.
Some examples of our expanded services include an upcoming retreat for EOD caregivers in February and one for our
Gold Star families in the fall. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) continue to be at
the top of our list as areas to expand services in. As the war draws down, the effects of war continue, and our team is
working hard to identify and implement services to help those who are suffering with these and all wounds of war.
Planning for the EOD Memorial Weekend, including the EOD Ball is underway. Please look for updates via our website
www.eodwarriorfoundation.org and postings on Facebook. Tickets for the EOD Ball are scheduled to go on sale February
1st and can be purchased online. There have also been changes to our scholarship program which have been posted to
our website. The application dates have changed slightly and we have streamlined the process for recipients who are
reapplying after receiving a scholarship from the EOD Warrior Foundation for the 2013-2014 school year. We look
forward to reviewing the applications of the many highly qualified candidates who apply each year.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the EOD Warrior Foundation and the EOD community. We are
honored to be in a position to make a difference; disarming challenges for our EOD Family, it’s what we do. Written by:
Sherri Beck, Director, EOD Warrior Care
EOD News Letter
Oct – Dec 2013
Page 35