EOD Book Review: Eight Lives Down

The heritage of American EOD forces comes from the UK. Draper Kauffman was a Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Technician before returning to the U.S. to stand up the first mine and bomb disposal school here. From that point until 9/11 the Brits encountered more IEDs than American forces, especially during "the troubles" in Ireland. Their units are structured differently from those in the U.S. and their EOD Techs are called Ammunition Technical Officers or "ATOs."

Eight Lives Down by Major Chris Hunter, is one ATO's account of his tour of duty in Basra as part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. I highly recommend it for someone who is interested in the life of an ATO and the counter-IED effort in Iraq. See my detailed review on amazon.com at: Eight Lives Down.

EOD Book Review: America's First Frogman

“Draper Kauffman is our father. In fact, he is the father of all disposaleers and demolitioneers. This group includes EOD, SEALs, and the former UDT, the toughest and fittest brood in the United States Navy. And yet ironically Kauffman graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1933 with a medical record that said he was unfit for service due to poor eyesight."

- CO of NAVSCOLEOD speech to students in Proximity

I applied for the EOD Community several times. On each screening the applicant must first complete a physical test that includes swimming, pushups, situps, pullups, and a mile and a half run. Then the candidate interviews with an EOD Officer who determines suitability. On my second attempt, the interviewer asked, "Who is Draper Kauffman?" I was told afterward that my ability to answer this question led to a glowing recommendation. I'd impressed upon the officer that I was serious enough about the community to do some research.

Today, there is a great book available that chronicles the life of Draper Kauffman. The book's author is Kauffman's sister, Elizabeth Kauffman-Bush and it is published by the U.S. Naval Institute Press. I highly recommend it.

Military Writers Society of America recognizes Proximity with Gold Medal

The Military Writers Society of America recognized Proximity as a 2008 Gold Medal recipient. It is a humbling honor to be placed next to military authors such as Steven Pressfield (Killing Rommel -fellow 2008 recipient) and Nathaniel Fick (One Bullet Away- 2005 recipient). Visit the MWSA 2008 Awards page to see all of those who were recognized at: MWSA 2008 Awards.

EOD Memorial

Some of the proceeds from Proximity support the EOD Memorial Scholarship Fund, which features prominently in the book. I encourage others to donate to the EOD Memorial by noting 10119 on their Combined Federal Campaign form or by sending donations to "The EOD Memorial" at:

EOD Memorial Committee
PO Box 594
Niceville, FL 32588

You can visit the EOD Memorial website at: http://www.eodmemorial.org/index3.html

"What is EOD?"

I hear this question often. Through Proximity I tried to answer this question in an entertaining way. The specific genesis of this book was an encounter where I was asked, "So, you're a SEAL, right?"

"No, I'm not a SEAL. I'm a Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. We render safe unexploded conventional, chemical, biological, nuclear, and improvised explosive devices. In other words, we are the guys who disarm terrorist bombs, we clear minefields before amphibious landings, and we act as the bomb squad for the U.S. Secret Service."

"....right, a Navy SEAL."

("Arrgh!")