Bomb technician named NCO of the Quarter

Photo By Jennifer Brofer | Sgt. Seth Strait, EOD technician, 1st EOD Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was recently named the 1st MLG Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter. Strait, 25, from Hartford City, Ind., graduated from EOD School in January 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan a few weeks later, providing support to Regimental Combat Team 8.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

10.05.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Brofer 

1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - An explosive ordnance disposal technician was recently named Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Sgt. Seth Strait, EOD technician, 1st EOD Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, became a member of the EOD community just earlier this year and saves lives in one of the most dangerous jobs in the Marine Corps.

Strait, 25, from Hartford City, Ind., joined the Marine Corps out of high school in January 2005 "to get a different experience," he said.
“At the time, I didn’t really know what direction I wanted to go,” said Strait. “I just knew I wanted to do something better, and I thought the Marine Corps could do that for me, and so far it has.”

With high first-class scores on the Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test, as well as a sixth-award rifle expert badge and a brown belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Strait was nominated by his company for the battalion-level NCO of the Quarter board. After winning the battalion board, he went on to win the regimental-level board and, finally, the group-level board, surpassing all other NCOs in knowledge, professionalism and proficiency.

In addition to high PFT and CFT scores, he completed the Sergeant and Staff Sergeant non-resident Marine Corps Institute courses, as well as the Sergeant resident course, graduating with a near-perfect 99-percent average.

"Sgt. Strait [has] demonstrated all the qualities our Corps demands of its NCOs," said Sgt. Maj. Antonio N. Vizcarrondo Jr., 1st MLG sergeant major. "He has deployed to combat and excelled and maintains a positive outlook in leading his Marines … he is a confident leader and we are fortunate to have him leading our young Marines."

During Strait’s first enlistment as a ground radio repairman, he deployed for a year with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to Thailand, Korea, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Wanting to go on a combat deployment, he decided to lateral move into EOD because he "wanted to contribute more" and be "more involved," he said.

“I talked to a few EOD Marines, and it really seemed like a tight-knit family, and that’s what I wanted, more of a family,” said Strait of the EOD community. “EOD Marines take care of each other.”

Strait joined EOD and graduated from EOD School in January 2011. Just a few weeks later, Strait deployed to Afghanistan for three months as an EOD combat replacement, providing support to Regimental Combat Team 8. During his deployment, he responded to IED calls, rendered safe and disposed of IEDs and unexploded ordnance, conducted combat logistics patrol support missions and provided invaluable post-blast analysis to gather information on IED trends and potential bomb-making facilities.

“As a new EOD member, it was a learning experience,” said Strait. “I had good team leaders, and I learned a lot.”

"He's a solid Marine, performs well and upholds the core values on and off duty," said Gunnery Sgt. Quentin Black, section leader, 4th Platoon, 1st EOD Company. "He's definitely dedicated, and he's got the skills and intelligence to be a valuable team leader.”

Even with all the accolades he's received from senior leaders, Strait remains humble, crediting his success to his mentors.

"So many people have influenced me over the last several years, “ said Strait, who added that his wife, Erin, has been extremely supportive of his Marine Corps career.

Having been recently selected for promotion to staff sergeant - which he expects to pin on in June or July of next year - his goal as a leader is to gain more knowledge in the EOD military occupational specialty and be able to serve as a team leader and mentor to incoming EOD Marines.

The most difficult aspect of the job, said Strait, is that "it’s always changing," referring to how the enemy is constantly adapting their tactics, techniques and procedures when laying roadside bombs. But he knows the job, while difficult, saves lives.

"I feel like I’m making a difference.”

• Date Taken: 10.05.2011
• Date Posted: 10.14.2011 16:01
• Story ID: 78507
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US