St. Petersburg, FL In September 2011, Brad Snyder, a Navy EOD Officer was severely injured from an IED blast leaving him with burns, a shattered eardrum, and permanent blindness. The Naval Academy graduate did not let this tragic event stop him and his passions.

In his first swim event since the accident at a meet in Colorado Springs, his performance earned him an invite to join the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Swim Team. If he accepts, he will have the opportunity to compete in London t during the 2012 Paralympic Games.

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Pensacola, Florida The unofficial motto of EOD has been "Initial Success or Total Failure" which is meant to reflect on the life or death consequences of performing EOD work. The motto is widely used throughout the community and even posted on the classroom walls of the Navy's EOD School based at Eglin AFB.

However, the motto has been removed from the EOD school walls based on an order issued by Rear Admiral Tillotson. The Admiral believes the motto could be viewed as disrespectful and insensitive to all of the EOD technicians who have died or have been wounded in the line of duty.

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Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 2nd Class Petty Officer Taylor Gallant, 22, of Kentucky, died while conducting diving operations 25 miles off the North Carolina coast during a training operation. An EOD technician assigned to Mobile Unit 12, Gallant was training with a Canadian ship in preparation for an amphibious training exercise called Bold Alligator 2012 at the time of his death.

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Bridgeton, North Carolina A road construction crew uncovered a Civil War era cannon ball during the widening project of Route 17 near Antioch Road. The construction company reportedly moved the nearly 50-pound cannonball to a secured fenced-in area before calling the police.

The police responded with support from the Craven County Emergency Management Division. The Marine EOD unit out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point was called for technical support. EOD responded and identified that the fuze of the cannonball was still intact.

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Suffolk, United Kingdom A routine safety inspection of munitions storage magazines at RAF Lakenheath resulted in a find of unstable dynamite. The dynamite had reportedly crystallized over time making it a very hazardous situation. Officials from the installation would not comment on how long the dynamite had been in the magazine in the crystallized state but did say that the 40 sticks of dynamite in all required disposal. The installation's EOD team safely removed and disposed of the dynamite without incident. The disposal operation was conducted in phases to minimize impacts to the flight line.

Dawnville, Georgia A small but very important construction project due to start next week needs your help. The goal of the project is to build a home for 24-year old Joey Jones, a Marine EOD Technician who lost both legs last month due to an IED incident in Afghanistan. The handicapped-accessible home will provide this EOD hero a comfortable and safe place to live close to family and friends.

Many companies and individuals have supported the cause including construction subcontractors who offered to provide their services at no charge. Several building material companies have donated material for the project. However, the project is still short on its goal.

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Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Three EOD Marines with EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd MLG, received the Bronze Star Medal for their brave actions during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. Those awarded included Gunnery Sgt. Eric J. Gonzalez, Gunnery Sgt. James P. Otto, and Gunnery Sgt. Drew B. Jordan. Gen. Michael G. Dana, the 2nd Marine Logistics Group commanding general, presented the metals during an award ceremony.

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Huntsville, Alabama a send-off ceremony is planned for Wednesday for the members of the Alabama Guard 441st Ordnance Battalion (EOD) as they head out to Camp Shelby for final training before their deployment to Iraq. The Battalion will deploy sometime in January to support the Army's 1st Armored Division and Task Force Troy (the counter IED mission). They will also help train at the Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal units. Four active duty Army EOD Companies will be under their command during their deployment to Iraq.

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Waiouru, New Zealand A New Zealand EOD airman was killed when an unexploded 105 mm artillery shell he was working near exploded. The accident occurred at the Waiouru Military Camp where the New Zealand military has several active training ranges. Flight Sergeant Andrew Bruce Forster, 46, and another EOD airman were reportedly placing a stake in the ground several meters away from an old 105 mm artillery shell to mark it for disposal when it exploded. The UXO was apparently identified the previous day during a sweep of the area but no stakes or marking equipment was available at the time to mark the item. Therefore, the 27 year EOD veteran airman along with a second EOD airman were going back to mark the area with the UXO with a stake so that the disposal team could blow it in place during an upcoming disposal operation.

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Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan The Marines announced the official formation of their first EOD Company (EOD Co.) - 8th Engineer Support Battalion. The Marine Corps' EOD mission has increased significantly over the years due in part to the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the mission requirements have increased, so has the size of Marine Corps EOD Platoons. Marine Corps EOD Leadership has been trying for several years to establish EOD Companies throughout the Marine Corps to reflect the true size and nature of the organization. The establishment of the first Marine Corps EOD Company marks a milestone for the Marine Corps EOD program. Capt. Timothy M. Callahan has been assigned as the Commanding Officer of the newly formed Marine Corps EOD Co., 8th Engineer Battalion.