Photo By Cpl. Kira Ducato | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan E. Goad, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician...... read more read more
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The U.S. Marine Corps is known notoriously for testing and challenging its Marines to adapt and overcome in any situation. For Sgt. Jonathan E. Goad, the U.S. Marine Corps opened the doors for him to face those challenges through a new environment and an opportunity to grow as a Marine.
Goad, a native to Cookeville, Tennessee, first enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a tank mechanic in 2016 He spent his first three years stationed at Twenty-nine Palms, California before he found himself longing for a more fulfilling military occupational specialty. Taking his first step into finding a new career within the Marine Corps, Goad decided to speak with a career planner.
“We laid out my option,” said Goad. “It was either a lateral move to Reconnaissance, and attend the [Assessment and Selection Program] for [U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command], or do [Explosive Ordnance Disposal]. The first opportunity that came across was actually EOD.”
Goad submitted his lateral move package, which allows him to change his job while still on active duty, making the choice to attend a week long screener for EOD. The screener is a selection process held by senior EOD technicians that test applicants’ physical and mental capabilities.
“I did all my prerequisites, put in all my paperwork, and then I attended the screener and they gave me the thumbs up,” Goad stated.
The screener not only introduced Goad to the newfound physical and mental expectations but also exposed him to the teamwork and comradery displayed between the EOD Marines.
It was the first time I got a bit of the atmosphere. I got to see how they work, thought, and acted. I really enjoyed it, he said.
Now, as an EOD technician, he has become accustom to the comradery and acknowledges the methods of analyzing and problem solving that he and his fellow EOD Marines share when working on the job.
“We like to use common sense and critical thinking in every aspect that comes with the Marine Corps and the job,” said Goad. “We attack problems with those methods, which makes things a lot easier. Especially when you have people around you that like to really put in effort every day. It makes things way more enjoyable.”
This way of problem solving was Goad’s adaptation to his new information heavy MOS.
According to Goad, the schooling doesn’t end when Marines qualify as a basic EOD technician, which has become his favorite aspect within his new MOS.
“I’ll have to say my favorite aspect is the opportunities due to the amount of schools that we’re allowed to attend,” said Goad. “The options are almost endless. I've already been to five schools, and I became an EOD tech in 2019.”
In just under three years, Goad has attended Advanced IEDs Disposal School, Airborne School, Advanced Diagnostics Training II, Joint Nuclear EOD School, as well as an EOD Supervisors Course showcasing the knowledge building opportunities he has been afforded since changing career paths.
“It just seems like there's no end to how many skills I can attain throughout my job, and it really helps with trying to better myself every day,” said Goad.
The magnitude of EOD’s opportunities aren’t available to just any Marine. Marines that attempt the challenge of a lateral move to EOD must attend and complete an 8 month long EOD schoolhouse prior to obtaining the title of EOD technician.
“The school is very long,” says Goad. “It really starts to take a toll on you, you're stressed day in and day out. So I just thought to myself, ‘if I don't make it here, I have to go back to my old job.’”
Goad’s ability to counter his stress while attending the school showcased his will power and determination to better himself. He recalled his drive to learn on his own through readily available reports and publications made him recognize his personal growth came down to his ability to find information and his willingness to learn.
When asked what motivated him, Goad replied, “My motivation is viewing every day as an opportunity to learn something that could possibly keep me alive in the future.”
As Goad looks to his remaining time in the Marine Corps, he sees endless opportunity to increase his knowledge every day, be it through his fellow EOD technicians or specialized schooling helping to keep him and his fellow Marines safe and in the fight.
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| Date Taken: | 06.30.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2022 01:40 |
| Story ID: | 425680 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | COOKEVILLE, TN, US |
| Web Views: | 419 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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