The security teams are made up of soldiers from all over the battalion. Soldiers whose training is for fueling, legal, signal, intelligence, etc... find themselves traveling all over the Iraqi countryside in search of the bombs and the bombers. Geniuine proof that we are all infantrymen first, and all else is secondary. Their twenty -four hour shift starts in the early morning when they prepare their truck with ice, water, and ammo for usually an hour or so before they are actually on duty. Once the previous shift is relieved they simply wait, and they do not wait long. When an IED strike is reported over the command net, they get moving even before they are called. Then its out of the gates to the site. Upon reaching the site they set up a perimeter around the actual EOD troops by halting traffic and scanning the area. EOD check the area for more explosives, and then blow any unexploded ordinance in place. Then they all mount up and either head to another call or return to base. They respond to every single IED report in our area no matter what time. These gutsy American grunts pull countless hours outside the wire in full gear. Sometimes they spend their whole shift or longer outside to return exausted mentally and physically. After their shift comes a well deserved day off. Then back in the saddle to do it all again the next day.

The EOD security team is just one of the many assets my unit sends in harm's way everyday. The thing that sets them apart is the fact that they are performing a duty outside their trained job description. A very hazardous duty that is usually given to combat-arms soldiers such as infantrymen or scouts who are trained specifically for such tasks. However, in this fight their plate is full. Therefore computer guys, mechanics, and even commo-guys come together to fill the gap. American soldiers doing what they have always done; proving they are the best in the world.