FAQ #3 You mention in the opening of "Proximity" that EOD procedures are often classified. How then were you able to publish?

The exact quote in the front of Proximity is:

"The methods, tactics, and procedures used by military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians are often classified. This is to prevent the architects of military ordnance or improvised explosive devices from incorporating countermeasures into their design. This book only reveals procedures that are intuitively obvious or so widely publicized that mentioning them here could not be considered irresponsible. Where required, the methods described are fictitious while maintaining the flavor of explosive ordnance disposal work."

To ensure that I did not unwittingly publish classified information I submitted this manuscript to the U.S. Navy's Office of Information and Personnel Security. They authorized it for release after a nine month review. Since that time, I've submitted a collection of historical accounts. One of which has been published as an article in the Small Wars Journal entitled The Birth of the Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell.

IRONMAN EOD FUND

I received this message via the Navy and Marine Corps EOD Association - LT Michael McMahon will participate in the Florida Ironman Triathlon in Panama City. Proceeds support the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation and EOD Memorial Read below.

Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I am LT Michael McMahon, Officer In Charge of Navy EOD Mobile Unit 2 Platoon 2-5-1 deployed to Mosul, Iraq. The reason I'm contacting you is to raise awareness and funds for two organizations; The EOD Memorial Foundation and the EOD Wounded Warrior Foundation. On November 7th, 2009 I will be competing in the Florida Ironman Triathlon in Panama City. I'm running it to honor all of the fallen and wounded EOD warriors that have given so much for this country.

EOD stands for Explosive Ordnance Disposal. EOD techs, as we are referred to, are on the front lines in the war on terror. EOD teams are integrated with combat units from all services. We are there to ensure safety from explosive hazards more specifically IEDs; Improvised Explosive Devices. EOD personnel save countless lives, both military and civilian, on a daily basis. Unfortunately, there are those who are wounded in this effort and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Below are links to both the EOD Memorial Foundation and the EOD Wounded Warrior Foundation's web sites. Please take a moment to visit these foundations and take a look at what they do for the families of the fallen and the lives of the wounded EOD warriors.

www.woundedeodwarrior.org

www.eodmemorial.org

A donation of any amount is much appreciated. Your contribution will help make a difference in the families of the fallen and the lives of the wounded. If you choose to donate please make checks payable to the MICHAEL MCMAHON IRONMAN EOD FUND, and send to:

2024 Sunset Maple LN Chesapeake VA, 23323

The total amount of donations will be split equally, with a check made out to each organization on the day of the race.

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in donating please forward this e-mail along. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Michael McMahon

LT USN

michael_mcmahon76@hotmail.com

EOD Book Review: The Longest Walk

This is word-for-word what I posted on amazon.com about The Longest Walk.

"The Longest Walk is a well written history of the U.K.’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) community from its inception through the late 1990’s. As implied by the cover, Peter Birchall provides insight into the heroic actions of Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs) operating in N. Ireland – but The Longest Walk includes much more. Birchall describes the birth of EOD in the UK, provides insight into EOD selection and training, and devotes pages to several counter-IED campaigns to include actions in Hong Kong, Cyprus, and the Falkland Islands. He even gives a nod to the Draper Kauffman, the father of the U.S. EOD community. Birchall served as an ATO, so his writing is strengthened by an authenticity that only someone who has “Been there, done that...” can provide. This book will serve as a valuable addition to any historian’s library, and is a must for all displosaleers."

EOD Book Review: Bomb Squad

"As a military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, I recommend BOMB SQUAD. The authors spent a year in the field with the NYPD BOMB SQUAD. The result is a narrative that strikes the right balance between history, human interest, and blowing stuff up. By the time I finished BOMB SQUAD I understood what it means to be a disposaleer in the Big Apple. I am particularly impressed and amazed with the number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that New York's Finest face on a regular basis. This book is a must read for anyone interested in EOD, police work, and homeland security. Thank you, Messrs. Esposito and Gerstein."

EOD Book Review: A Cold War Story

Jim Conkey adds to EOD legend and lore with A Cold War Story. The reader is immediately drawn into a Bond-like mix of secret missions and romance. EOD Techs will especially appreciate Conkey's description of a period in EOD history that is not well known; North Africa and its mix of terrorism and Soviet aggression in the late 1950s. This books is highly recommended. See my full review on Amazon.com.