In episode 9 of the podcast, we talk with the authors of the book Unsung: Quiet Voices of the US Navy's EOD Warriors and Their Families, Joseph Shaffer III and Dr. Paula Greene. They talked about how they came up with the idea to write the book and why they felt it was necessary. While there were some struggles from the beginning with Covid limiting the way interviews could be done, they pushed through and finished a book that tells the stories of US Navy EOD Operators from the Operator perspective. They are fascinating people who gave something to the Navy EOD community that was long overdue.

Unsung facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3308445616103488

Purchase the Book:

https://www.amazon.com/UNSUNG-Quiet-Voices-Warriors-Families/dp/B0BJBHPRMW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Y7B3K0IQW3OH&keywords=unsung+eod&qid=1678991494&s=books&sprefix=UNSUNG%2Cstripbooks%2C194&sr=1-1

Episode Sponsor:

NSOF Navy Special Operations Foundation

"We exist to ensure our operators and their families are provided with all the tools necessary to overcome any challenges they may face and let them know they are never alone in the fight"

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/roman/arctic-river

License code: 9CLBRSNPUN0RVAUQ

Episode 8 of the Echo Oscar Delta Podcast is with Adam Fleck, a retired Navy EOD Chief. He talks about what it was like to go out on his first operation, his first IED, caring for a teammate that was struck by an IED and survived, and much more.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/roman/arctic-river

License code: 9CLBRSNPUN0RVAUQ

In Episode 7 EODCS (retired) Harry Basnight and I catch up, spending some time talking about being in EOD school together, as well as coming back together years later as instructors at Training Unit Two in FTX division. He discusses some influential people who helped him along his career and what it was like to get into a war zone and start going outside the wire. Harry was in the vehicle with Tony Randolph and Captain Mark Garner when they were killed and talks about what he remembers leading up to and from the incident. 

https://hamptonroads.veteransunited.com/lo/harry-basnight/

In episode 6 I talk with Bill Nesbitt who served 28 years and retired as a Navy EOD Master Chief. He cleared underwater mines in the 80's, helped get funding for gear and training after 9/11, and has gone to war countless times. Bill talks about some of the most memorable experiences he's had in EOD, highlighting one of the most significant events in his career. It was an absolute pleasure to get to talk with him.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/roman/arctic-river

License code: 9CLBRSNPUN0RVAUQ

Joe Stutzke was an EOD Chief who did 9 years in the Navy before moving to the Philippines with his wife. He talks about how he could repurpose the skills learned as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, including operations and logistics, homemade explosives, networking, and his understanding of chemicals and their interactions with living organisms. The underlying themes Joe discusses are reaching out to friends and looking for new ways to implement skills learned. 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/roman/arctic-river

License code: 9CLBRSNPUN0RVAUQ

Pat Flanigan, a 14-year Navy Veteran, and EOD Chief sit down with us and talks about the importance of reaching out to the EOD family, how his mindset changed as time passed and his rank increased, the intensity of his time in Ramadi and an event that changed his life. As adversity shaped his life he found that the EOD family had his back, helping to keep him on a path forward. What he has received he is now paying back to the community, with interest. 

Episode three is an interview with Josh Barras, a 9-year Navy EOD veteran. We talk about flying over the rainforest in Manaus, Brazil, a sobering experience his second week at the mobile unit as an EOD tech, as well as what he misses about the mindset of his fellow EOD Techs. Life on the "outside" has its perks and some negatives. 

https://www.ownreva.com/agent/josh-barras/

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/roman/arctic-river

License code: 9CLBRSNPUN0RVAUQ

In Episode two I interview Mike Pressley, a retired Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Senior Chief (EODCS), who served more than 25 years in the US Navy. We discuss, "The boys," a term that affectionately refers to the Navy EOD teammates that one works with. We also talk about what EOD was like before the Global War on Terror and after. 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/roman/arctic-river

License code: 9CLBRSNPUN0RVAUQ

In this episode, I interview Trevor Maxwell, a retired Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Senior Chief (EODCS), who served more than 20 years in the US Navy. We discuss topics including life before the Navy, what drew him to EOD, and a few of the memories from his time as an EOD Technician. 

https://usvetwealth.com/trevor-maxwell-chfc/

What is the Echo Oscar Delta Podcast? In this episode I talk about the reason it was started. If you're interested in a quick synopsis of the purpose, take a few minutes to listen.