Previously Held NEC MS-0000-Mess Management Specialist
HT-5343-Second Class Diver
Service Years
1990 - Present
Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Cold War
Decommissioning
Deep Dive Diploma
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Order of the Ditch
Order of the Rock
Order of the Spanish Main
Plank Owner
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
OEF - Afghanistan/Consolidation I (2001-06)
From Month/Year
December / 2001
To Month/Year
September / 2006
Description The United Nations authorized an international force – the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – with a mandate to help the Afghans maintain security in Kabul and surrounding areas. Operating under U.S. General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., ISAF included soldiers from 46 countries, with U.S. troops making up about half its force. ISAF was initially established as a stabilization force by the UN Security Council on 20 December 2001, to secure Kabul. Its mandate did not extend beyond this area for the first few years. On 11 August 2003, NATO assumed political command and coordination of ISAF. On 31 July 2006, ISAF assumed command of the south of the country, and by 5 October 2006, of the east.
Following a Loya jirga, tribal leaders and former exiles established an interim government in Kabul under Hamid Karzai. U.S. forces established their main base at Bagram airbase just north of Kabul. Kandahar airport also became an important U.S. base. Outposts were established in eastern provinces to hunt for Taliban and al-Qaeda fugitives.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
December / 2001
To Month/Year
December / 2001
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember EOD Mobile Unit Six, Det 6. LT. Dave Cuthbert (OIC) ENC (EOD/SW/PJ) Robert Russel (LCPO) GMC (EOD/SW) Daniel Cordes (CPO) BMC (EOD/SW) Jim Prewitt (CPO) AO1 (EOD/SW) Adam Dexter (LPO) EN1 (DSW/SS/SW/PJ) Tim Andros (2C Diver) RM2 (EOD/SW) Brian Cantrel (Trunk Monkey) MM3 (EOD/SW) Jay Wheeler (Jr.)
Memories I was our Detachment's Com's guy, MK-16 MOD 0 technician, M-203 grenadier, and only deep sea second class diver with the NEC of 5375 (Salvage Construction Demolition Diver).
I was always on edge and half scared out of my mind. I slept with my kevlar helmet and flack, alot. I even slept with my chem gear a few nights. Always had my rifle across my chest or right beside me at all times. I remember in particular the time when I got my seven dives in the river, verifying arm thrust on the bottom to figure the probability of any mines being burried. I will never forget when we were done sweeping the port, we were tasked to go inland to dispose of the LUGM mines that the British discoverd.
