Purchase signed copies of Proximity from Stephen Phillips via Square

Now, readers can purchase signed copies of Proximity through Square. Visit: or select one of the links below. Be sure to ad a note at checkout for any specific inscription like, "Thank you for your service to our nation," or "Good luck in EOD School!" on Square Market

Stephen Phillips speaking to the Annapolis Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association

On March 19, 2014 I was honored to join the Annapolis Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association. They were kind enough to video tape the talk. Here is the first of three sections. Enjoy it and it should link to the other two.

It's Monday morning....

...and someone is classing up. Someone has already finished their bay swim. Someone has already puked their guts out.

Someone is starting pool week.



Hooya, Divers!

(With thanks to Class 09-60-EOD)

The Waters Edge

The Waters Edge - This is an entertaining short video of the Naval Diving Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) in Panama City, Florida. Watch to see the wide variety of diving performed by the U.S. Navy to include scuba, surface supplied, and mixed-gas re-breathers. There are also depictions of physical training...and blowing sh!t up!

*** The WATERS EDGE (Short Film) *** - Mariano Lorde | 16x9Studios from 16x9 Studios on Vimeo.

Stephen Phillips on You Tube

I now have a You Tube channel, simply called "Stephen Phillips." Thus far, I added two playlists, one of recommended U.S. Navy EOD videos, one of bomb disposal in general. I hope that those interested in EOD, the Naval Academy, and my writing, will visit and provide me some feedback on what they think of this means to interact with my readers.

Book Review of "Defender Dolphins" for the Naval Historical Foundation.

I recently reviewed Defender Dolphins for the Naval Historical Foundation. The full review can be found here: Project Short Time.

Best of MIDRATS

In 2010, I joined Navy bloggers CDR Salamander and EagleOne on their blogtalk radio program, MIDRATS, to discuss life as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician. On the show I followed CDR Kirk Lippold who was the commanding officer of the USS Cole when she was attacked in Aden, Yemen in 2000.

This episode aired again on March 31, 2013 -Easter Sunday- as one of the "Best of MIDRATS." You can listen to it here: MIDRATS Episode 169

How Do I Prepare for EOD School?

Steven Watkins wrote on my facebook page :

"Hey, I just thought I'd let you know I signed my EOD contract to day. I ship October 29th. I almost lost my contract because MEPS messed up my paperwork and wrote I couldn't equalize my ears, but I easily passed the retest and swore in today. I'm very pumped up, any advice for dive school or EOD school?"

I receive this question often. I always enjoy passing on advice to those who volunteered for this challenging community. So, I've written this for Steven and for all those who may choose a career in naval diving....

Congratulations!

As stated in Proximity, "An EOD Technician must have the brains of an engineer, the hands of a surgeon, and the courage of a martyr....when the Navy needs to place a limpet mine under an enemy ship it tasks the Navy SEALs, but to respond to such an attack – the Navy summons EOD."

Thus, you have volunteered to join one of the most elite elements in the U.S. military. So, "How to prepare?"

To be a U.S. Navy EOD Technician, one must possess physical and mental endurance. In the EOD pipeline these two traits are tested time and again to identify those who do not have the requisite aptitude needed and build upon the ability of those that do. There are steps that candidates can take to build their physical and mental endurance, to prepare themselves for EOD training and and an EOD career.

The best online resource to prepare physically for EOD is StewSmith.com . Stew is a Naval Academy graduate and former Navy SEAL. Visit his site for more details to include his books on fitness. Recognize then that EOD Techs must combine raw strength with the ability to swim and run. Too much time in the weight room may make swimming and running a challenge. Focusing too much on running may decrease muscle mass. Strive for a good balance of all three.

Additionally, EOD candidates can get a good leg up by working on their ability to swim with fins. I've written a note about this previously in a Blog post entitled, EOD Prep.

All Navy diver candidates must take the diver physical readiness test  depicted in this video. Not only is this test required to get into the Navy diving community, it is conducted several times during the curriculum. Thus, performing well on this test is an indication of relative preparedness for EOD school. I recommend taking the test with a buddy once a week. (Note: It is important when swimming to always have a buddy and/or safety observer.)

EOD school is also mentally challenging. The word "endurance" applies here as well. Academic failure is more often because the student did not put in the time than that they did not have the requisite IQ. Material is imparted to the student as a constant, rapid pace. Deciding to take one night off to go drinking often means the student is now behind when they show up to class the next day. To succeed, expect to put in for to five hours of study a night, five nights a week, for 18 months to two years.

EOD candidates get a go leg up on academics by obtaining a copy of the U.S. Navy Diving Manual. It is available online for free on several sites such as scribd.com    A waterproof hard copy is available on Amazon.com .

Again, congratulations on beginning your EOD career. You will soon find it is the best decision you ever made. HOOYA!

Bomb Patrol on G4TV

Game Reviews - E3 2011

Only one word to describe this - HOOYA.

U.S Navy Diving and EOD Recruiting pages on facebook

There are several U.S. Navy Recruiting pages on facebook now. I'm partial to the Navy Diver and Navy EOD pages. Check them out whether you're a vet or a wanna-be!