Framing device

My first major mission, a young 18 year old, the lead gunner behind a M240B as the first line of defense for our platoon; would soon be a situation that left an imprint in my life and has forever changed how I now lead as an NCO. This mission took place in 2007 near the city of Ad Dawr, Iraq. The mission was complex but my orders were simple, protect the convoy and provide security. The main objective was to expose and detain (if possible) a cell leader to include destroying his know cache point…

Being raised in a family in which most members have chosen a life of service, either as a member of law enforcement or one of our country’s military branches, proves worrisome for loved ones. My family is no exception because my dad and brother both serve our country. I usually can bury the fear and worry for their safety deep within me, but many of our country’s major headline events just hit too close to home. Peace-keepers often face life-threatening dangers, which have shaped me into a more…

The Oklahoma City Bombing happened on April 19, 1995. This terrorist attack was the worst terrorist attack to happen before 9/11. The truck was packed with 4,800-pounds of explosives which consisted of diesel-fuel and fertilizer (ammonium nitrate). The bomb was detonated on April 19, 1995 just outside Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City shortly after 9am (Nacos, 2016). This catastrophic blast killed one hundred sixty-eight people and injured hundreds more (Nacos,…

expecting to join soon, and were expecting a bombing soon. The main function of the EOD is to analyze and defeat any explosive device. The score needed to receive on the ASVAB to join the EOD must be 110 on Skilled Technical. Police officers in the EOD are trained by the military to perform civilian functions. Training is usually held at U.S. Army-F.B.I. Hazardous Device School at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Every Bomb Squad has two canine teams ready to assist them as the canine’s smell is 50…

on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, improvised explosive devices can be traced all over the operational area. Terrorist were becoming more unique with their attacks. Devices were buried along the main supply routes of military forces, vehicle borne explosive devices placed by checkpoints, and other clever strategies to try and hinder our mission. Mortar rounds being placed on the side of the road, wired to be activated by a cellular device. DTRA expanded its mission to address the rise of the…

during sunset in that unfortunate country. It helped to ease the frustrations that came from the days of sadness, brutal heat, and fatigue that shook the proverbial hand living with the catastrophic reality of the dreaded IED (improvised explosive device). My platoon lived in a small, burnt-out schoolhouse south side of the village that we did patrols in and around our little piece of the pie. Although we encountered the almost daily harassment of small arms fire, the peppering of bullets…

CHAPTER NINE The Griffith Observatory sits on the southern incline of the world famous Mount Hollywood. Its charisma consists of an unobstructed observation of the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California. Followed up by the entertainment capital of the world Hollywood and finishes the beauty with the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a trendy day-tripper attraction with an outstanding view of the iconic Hollywood Sign, and a wide-ranging selection of…

To describe a human being, you would have to pick many qualities in order to truly paint a solid picture of a person. You can describe them and the subject might say “yes that sounds like me” but the reality is that we probably missed something. This is a really tough situation to be in and you could either insult someone because you missed something about them or they could think you do not really know them. Now imagine having to do it on yourself. You will read about how I am a mentor, how…

are trained to react to contact and out “gun” the enemy. With roadside bombs it’s either your day or it’s not. We had sat through hours of training that could help you spot and I.E.D, improvised explosive device. The difference between training and real life was the actual placement of the devices. In power point presentations that are thrown on the side of the road with a blatantly obvious detonation mechanism and stuck out like a sore thumb. In real life they are buried, placed inside dead…

The rapid acquisition program established to procure the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was a success story that significantly differed from normal procurement programs. For limited time-sensitive requirements, this acquisition method is effective but, should not be adopted for traditional Department of Defense (DOD) Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). The amount of senior leader involvement and risk acceptance required for the MRAP program would not be suitable or…