Echo Oscar Delta

In episode 35 of the podcast, we do the first in the series, Bombs & Bourbon. Four EOD Operators who worked at the East Coast Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit Two (EODTEU2), Final Training Exercise (FTX) division got together and talked about their unified purpose. We talk about what made the team so special, divulge some interpersonal secrets about the ongoings of day...

In episode 33, Greg Wheelock, a retired Lieutenant Commander with a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, as he shares captivating tales from his journey as a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. From his early fascination with EOD teams in Guam to shipboard deployments and shore duties in locations like Det Bermuda, Wheelock provides a firsthand account of the diverse and dynamic world o...

In episode 32 of the podcast, I sit down with EODCM (ret) Tara Asbury to talk about her career and beyond. Tara has been someone I have lookup up to for many years, reaching out several times for advice and perspective. In our conversations I got to learn a bit more about her. Amongst other things, we talked about what the driving force was in joining Navy EOD, the workups, deployments to Iraq, Af...

EODCS James Hebert (Eh Bear) joins me in Episode 31 where he talks about a variety of EOD topics experienced over his 20 years of service. One subject that is brought up frequently in this episode is the importance of mental health. Eh Bear opens up about how doing the job he loves caused some lasting effects that were not talked about initially. His first IED call, an unlikely group reporting a w...

Episode 30 is dedicated to EODC Jason Finan who was killed on October 20, 2016, in Mosul, Iraq. I talked with Shawn Bacon, Jason's Dad, about who he was as a boy and his likes, dislikes, and motivations. We discuss his military service from his family's perspective, as well as what it was like for his family when they found out the news. This episode was hard to do, but the purpose at the end I be...

In podcast episode 29, we dive deep into the remarkable 27-year career of Lenny Lyon, a retired Navy Captain with extensive experience in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). Lenny's journey takes us through his numerous deployments to diverse locations, his introduction to the world of EOD during a college summer cruise, and his transition into the EOD pipeline. His training, which included SWAS, d...

In this heartfelt podcast episode, Roy Sedano, a retired Senior Chief with over 23 years of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experience, engages in a candid conversation about his journey in EOD and transitioning to civilian life. He shares his initial deployments, highlighting the importance of problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations. Throughout the discussion, the significance of EOD...

In podcast episode number 27, Navy veteran Dan Bertozzi shares his fascinating journey through eight years of service as a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. He reflects on his appreciation for the Navy experience, the unique path that led him to EOD, and the various phases of his training, including dive school and EOD school. Dan provides insights into his deployments on an aircr...

In this podcast episode, we delve into the remarkable military and civilian career of Sergeant First Class (ret) Randy Oakley who served for 23 years in the Army, including reserve time. He eventually found his way to the Navy for his civilian career as an instructor and then Nuclear Hazards Division Radiation Safety Officer at EOD Training and Evaluation Unit Two. Our guest shares their journey f...

In episode # 25, we delve into the experiences of Chris Garrett, a UK volunteer deeply involved in humanitarian mine action since 2014. Chris's journey began in Myanmar, where he clandestinely joined a group to clear landmines due to the absence of a legal framework. His interest led him to Ukraine in the early stages of its conflict in 2014. Despite language barriers and resource limitations in U...

Episode 24 of the Echo Oscar Delta Podcast is the first in a new series, Beyond the Blast. In this series, we talk with LT Mathias Porter about his collegiate swimming and what led him to transition into Crossfit. Once he made that transition, he started to excel. This year he qualified for the North American East semi-finals, ultimately increasing his ranking to 26th. Join me for an engaging talk...

In episode, we are privileged to hear the remarkable journey of retired Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Master Chief. Duane Oliveira, as he shares his life story filled with moments of service, camaraderie, and personal growth. From enlisting in the Navy's EOD program right after high school to becoming a respected leader in the military community, the narrative unfolds with candid anecdote...

In this podcast episode number 22, I sit down with Jay Lee, a former Navy EOD Chief who spent 13 years in the service. Jay shares his remarkable journey from joining the Navy with a SEAL contract to eventually becoming an EOD technician at MOB Unit 12. During our conversation, Jay highlights the importance of following one's instincts and pursuing what truly interests them, even if it means switch...

In episode 21, join Chris Rueger, a retired Senior Chief Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician with 26 years of service, as he shares his remarkable experiences and insights in this compelling podcast episode. Chris takes us on a journey through his Navy career, from his humble beginnings as a Mess Specialist on a submarine to becoming an EOD technician. He recounts deployments to Soma...

In episode 20, LT(ret) Robert Pizzini, Navy EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) veteran, shares his initial fascination with diving to becoming a second-class diver and how that lead him to attend EOD school. He discusses the differences between the diving community and the EOD community, highlighting the love-hate relationship within EOD teams that we all are so fond of and recount deployments invo...

In episode 19 we step into the extraordinary world of EODCS Scott Weaver as he shares stories from his time in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Bahrain. Join us as we uncover the triumphs and challenges faced by Weaver and his team during intense combat operations, including their critical role in defusing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Gain valuable insights into the rigorous training, the bo...

Episode 18 is a bit different. EODCS (soon to be EODCM) Harvey Fisher joins me and instead of talking about what he's done in his career, he talks about the "World by Harvey." What is that? It is how he personally has approached the various aspects of EOD. From training to getting ready to operate downrange in a warzone. He talks about the EOD operators he's served with and how they affected his c...

In Episode 17, EODC (ret) Kyle Masur talks about how he found out about EOD on Guam as a fleet sailor, went through the pipeline, and ultimately joined the ranks of Navy EOD. Once at EOD Mobile Unit 12 he was put on an NSW EOD team and did a grueling workup. Once deployed to Afghanistan he encountered many IEDs, multiple firefights, exhaustion from a heavy workload, and had to take care of injured...

From scattered beginnings to an impressive legacy, CDR (ret) Lawrence (Larry) Ronan in episode 16 of the Echo Oscar Delta Podcast, quite literally made EOD his life's work. Joining the Navy in 1950, going to EOD school in 59', and finally retiring in 1979, that's not where his EOD career ended. After a 10-year break, he dove back into the field as a UXO tech to continue his love for EOD. He only j...

In episode 15 EODCM (ret) Nap de Ciutiis recounts his 24 years of service including time in Iraq, various deployments, and the obstacles he encountered. The importance of humility, active listening, and effective teamwork is highlighted. Additionally, we explore the challenges of managing emotions and the pressure to conceal vulnerabilities. The Nap reflects on his personal growth, drawing wisdom...

Mason McCabe is a former Navy EOD Lieutenant who served 8 years before trying his luck on the outside. During the episode, we talked about his first IED call, surviving a VBIED attack, and why finding the people you want to work with is so important. He also discusses the role of an EOD officer, the similarities and differences between an EOD team and a Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) team,...

Nick Kush, retired Chief Navy EOD Operator with 20 years of service, talks about how he found Navy EOD, deploying with Navy SEALs, the Brotherhood of both communities and the Triple 7 Expedition. His mindset in everything he does focuses on packaging what he’s learned and passing it to those behind who can benefit. https://legacyexpeditions.net https://foldsofhonor.org https://americasmightywarrio...

Episode 12 of the podcast is with Tom Fischer, a retired Navy EOD Master Chief with 26 years of service and over 7 deployments. During the podcast, he talks about training for war during peacetime, which is becoming relevant yet again. We discuss the changes in how Navy EOD Master Boards are run, making Chief in 96, what it was like to be the LCPO of his first team, and what the difference is betw...

Rich Mahone joins us for episode 11 of the podcast. During his 30 years of service, he rose through the enlisted ranks and was then commissioned, ultimately making Lieutenant Commander. During the podcast, Rich talked about the people that influenced his career, helped him achieve what he was capable of, and guided him when he needed it. From using his skills cutting grass, finding himself trying...

Episode 10 of the podcast talks to Josh Duntz, an EOD first class in the US Navy who did 9 years and completed 3 deployments. Among a variety of topics, he discusses the luxuries of conducted exercises in well-off countries, focusing on human performance in the military and out, his transition from the military to the civilian workforce, and breaking into the tech field. joshduntz@gmail.com IG @jo...