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 anecdotes that offer a rare glimpse into the life of a dedicated servicemember. The episode delves into thei...
Aug 10, 2023•2 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 switching career paths. He vividly recounts his challenging experience in EOD school, including a motorcyc...
Jul 30, 2023•2 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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 Somalia, Italy, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, where he faced combat, engaged in explosive ordnance disposal ope...
Jul 20, 2023•2 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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 involving mine countermeasures operations, experience using the 2 Alpha underwater detection system, and...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
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 bond between EOD and SEAL teams, and the profound importance of urgency and safety in life-or-death si...
Jun 30, 2023•2 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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 career. ----------------------- EPISODE SPONSOR: NSOF - Navy Special Operations Foundation "We exist ...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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 EOD and SEAL teammates. An intense 11-month deployment was made tolerable by the bond that hard tim...
Jun 10, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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 just retired in 2015, giving him more than 49 years as an EOD operator and technician. In this captiv...
May 30, 2023•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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 from others, and recognizing the significance of self-care. They stress the value of maintaining a p...
May 20, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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, as well as the process of getting out of the military. Lots of laughs and a great conversation that ...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 51 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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://americasmightywarriors.org @njk_237 @foldsofhonorfoundation @LegacyExpeditions @americasmightywarriors8829 EPISODE SPO...
Apr 30, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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 between having a mentor and purposeful mentoring. An insightful 75 minutes and a glimpse into how Tom Fi...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 to outrun an Iranian boat, or getting dropped off with one other person in the middle of Afghanistan...
Apr 10, 2023•3 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 @joshduntz EPISODE SPONSOR: NSOF Navy Special Operations Foundation " We exist to ensure our operators ...
Mar 30, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 perspect...
Mar 20, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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.
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 u...
Feb 28, 2023•2 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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.
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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.
Feb 10, 2023•2 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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.
Feb 01, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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/
Jan 15, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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.
Jan 01, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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/
Dec 17, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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.
Dec 17, 2022•6 min
