ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS JOBS IN THE MARINE CORP
Marines who are members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) regularly perform one of the most dangerous jobs in the Marine Corp. On the morning of November 13, 2013, at MCB Camp Pendleton, an EOD team was performing their routine job of clearing the Zulu impact area of unexploded ordnance when a “tragic accident” occurred, killing four EOD technicians and injuring two other Marines and a Navy corpsman. SSGT Eric William Summers, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was one of the Marines who were killed.
The Zulu impact area, located in the center of the sprawling coastal base, is used for firing explosive munitions such as grenades, mortars, artillery and rockets, and for dropping munitions from aircraft. No live firing was occurring on the Zulu impact area while the team was performing their job in preparation for live fire training, but as one of the EOD technicians who was killed is known to have said, “Your job is to never forget that what you’re picking up can kill you.” EOD technicians are a small, tight-knit elite group like no other within the Marine Corps. They are bonded by their fearlessness, mental strength and deep ties from losing so many members over the years. All have volunteered for the dangerous job and although they work in a team, each is entrusted to make decisions in the field on their own, such as whether it is safe to move unexploded ordnance or diffuse a roadside bomb. Explosives on base artillery ranges vary in size and clearing ranges can be as dangerous as diffusing bombs on the battlefield. EOD technicians are chosen from the most highly qualified Marines since they will be keeping their fellow Marines safe. Those who become EOD technicians generally have already served four years in the Marine Corps before undergoing vigorous mental and physical screenings. Although few do, an EOD member is one of the few positions in which the Marine Corps allows team members to quit at any time because their mental focus could mean the difference between life or death, either for themselves or their fellow troops.
SSGT Summers was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon, Airfield Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed aboard MCB Camp Pendleton. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1999, attended Three Rivers College for one year and then joined the Marine Corps in July 2000. He was promoted to his current rank in October 2010. During his thirteen year career he was deployed overseas six times, five in combat zones, fortunately without being wounded. He deployed to Kuwait in 2003, Iraq in 2004 and three times to Afghanistan in 2009, 2011 and 2012 as an EOD team leader. SSGT Summers was described as a person of great integrity, a very good leader and someone you could reply on. On November 21, 2013, a memorial service was held at Camp Pendleton for the four EOD technicians who died. Among those attending were families of the fallen Marines, senior base leadership and the Commandant and First Lady of the Marine Corps, GEN James F. Amos and his wife. Both met with each of the families before the ceremony.
SSGT Summers is survived by his wife and two year old daughter. He will be buried with full military honors in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery on December 14, 2013. The cause of the accident is still under investigation according to the Camp Pendleton commander’s office.
Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)
