Jazz did not know the school’s commanding officer well. He saw him at the base gym periodically, but never had reason to speak with him.
Captain Grant stepped up to the podium and surveyed the audience. Jazz noticed him trying not to react to Huang’s guests.
“Thank you, please take your seats.”
The guests all settled back into their chairs.
“Ladies and gentlemen, students and soon-to-be graduates, welcome to this momentous occasion at NAVSCOLEOD. Because we have only three sailors graduating today, the pinning ceremony will be short. Therefore I specifically requested that the XO have all Navy students here so that I can use this venue as an opportunity to have a Captain’s Call. I hope that you will permit me to provide a brief history and heritage of the beginning of Explosive Ordnance Disposal.”
Grant paused and took a drink of water.
“E.O.D. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, ‘What the heck is EOD?’…I’d be a rich man.
“I assume everyone in here realizes that it stands for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the military’s bomb squad. As I further answer the question for the uninformed I explain to them that to be in EOD you have to have the hands of a surgeon, the brains of an engineer, and the courage of a martyr. I tell them that in the United States Navy, planes don’t launch until EOD is on deck and amphibious landings don’t occur until EOD says the way is clear. When my brethren in the SEAL Teams suggest with sibling rivalry that we are lacking in comparison, I remind them with pride that when you want a man to swim underneath the hull of a ship to place a limpet mine you call a SEAL. When you need a man to disarm and remove that mine, you call EOD.
“I also like to point out how Hollywood views this small community. John Wayne was used to portray a Seabee. Tom Cruise was a fighter pilot in ‘TOP GUN.’ Charlie Sheen was a Navy SEAL… but for EOD it was… Elvis.”
The crowd laughed.
“The film was ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ staring Elvis Presley. I highly recommend it.”
The chuckles continued a moment. Jazz even heard the Admiral guffawing. Now Grant waited until their quiet returned.
“Draper Kauffman is our father. In fact, he is the father of all disposaleers and demolitioneers. This group includes EOD, SEALs, and the former UDT, the toughest and fittest brood in the United States Navy. And yet ironically Kauffman graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1933 with a medical record that said he was unfit for service due to poor eyesight.
“Kauffman joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and volunteered for mine and bomb disposal. In short order he proved to be their best disposaleer. In November 1941, Lieutenant Kauffman returned to the United States on leave. He was subsequently recalled to U.S. Naval Service because it was realized that his bomb disposal experience would be invaluable to our own anticipated war effort.
“Lieutenant Kauffman founded the Bomb Disposal School on December 9,1941 at the Washington Navy Yard. The first students were midshipmen from Northwestern and Columbia Universities. Lieutenant Kauffman remained the first officer in charge for a year and a half. During that time the school expanded to additional locations at American University and to the other side of this facility at Stump Neck, Maryland.
“During World War II, graduates of the Bomb Disposal School, commonly called ‘Disposaleers,’ formed units called Mobile Explosive Investigation Units. These men served with distinction in every theater of operation rendering safe ordnance, performing emergent disposals, and training their comrades. Countless lives and material were saved by these few.
“The World War II disposaleers are the forefathers of today’s EOD Technicians. The Mobile Explosive Investigation Units were the precursors of today’s Mobile EOD Units.”
The room was silent. Captain Grant had the genuine interest of everyone present.
“Since World War II, EOD Technicians have served in every conflict this nation has been in. We especially proved our worth in Desert Storm, when Saddam Hussein flooded the Arabian Gulf with mines. Long after the troops came home, Navy EOD Techs were diving through a thick layer of oil disposing of hundred of mines on the sea floor.
“Many of you undoubtedly know of these men’s exploits. If not, don’t allow this to interrupt your studies here, but you must read each of the books that chronicle their service. Read them and come to understand our roots.”
Grant paused yet again, sipping his water. Jazz noticed that his sons were still very quiet.
“Following his tour as OIC of the Bomb Disposal School, Kauffman was asked to form units that could be used to destroy beach obstructions and mines prior to amphibious landings. He thus formed the first Combat Demolition Units at Ft Pierce Florida, which later became known as Underwater Demolition Teams or UDT. Kauffman himself eventually commanded UDT Five.
“In 1961, the need for a maritime component to Special Warfare was formed using UDT men. This new unit was called SEALs, which stood for sea, air, and land. The UDT were disbanded in the early eighties, so now only EOD and SEALs remain. You will work with our Special Warfare brethren from time to time. Remind them at every opportunity that we were here first.”
Grant smiled to himself as everyone in the audience again chuckled at his remark.
“Again, our purpose here today is to graduate three of the original seventeen men from EOD class Twenty Bravo Ninety Eight. Eventually the others in the back there will matriculate, but only after repeating portions of the difficult curriculum. Right gentlemen?”
“HOOYA, sir!” someone yelled.
“Hooya. Today Lieutenant Jascinski, Hull Technician Second Class Huang and Fireman Hopkins have completed the difficult curriculum of diving and disposal. From this day forward they are counted among the Navy’s underwater warriors.
“Ladies and gentlemen, men of NAVSCHOLEOD, never lose sight of what you have and will accomplish. It is difficult. It is honorable. It is brave.”
Captain Grant paused.
“Well, perhaps that is enough for now. Let’s pin it on these guys so they can go celebrate.”
Melanie had a huge grin on her face as she positioned herself to snap photos of Nicholas and Tyler. Nicholas stood on a chair in front of Jazz, pinning the crab on the flap on his pocket. Concentrating, he stuck his tongue out.
After Nick stepped down, his younger brother pulled himself up onto the chair. Tyler squared his shoulders with his father, reared his fist back and slammed it into the crab, “tacking it on” against naval regulations.
“Hooya, Daddy!” he said.
The onlookers laughed and Melanie blushed. She practiced with her boys every day for a week.
After the strippers pinned on Huang, and Fireman Hopkins was pinned by his father, the ceremony ended. Everyone shook hands, punched shoulders, and “Hooya-ed” the graduates. Melanie held the Jascinski clan back for more photos while everyone else filed out.
She directed photos of Jazz, she and Jazz, their whole family together, and of Jazz and his parents.
“Now, one just with you and your father,” said Eleanor.
The Admiral and Jazz stood next to each other. The Admiral extended his hand again and Jazz took it. They shook once holding it for the flash.
How official, thought Jazz.
Huang and Hopkins left to give their guests a tour of the facilities. They planned to go to the training pool, and the buildings and practice areas for Ground and Air Ordnance Divisions. Jazz wanted to get back home. The boys behaved well and surely needed some ice cream.
Back at the house, Jazz stripped off his sons’ church clothes and sent them downstairs wearing only gym shorts.