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Trip_Wire (RIP) · 03-08-2010, 22:35

My take on the movie Hurt Locker.

I finally watched the movie Hurt Locker, the other night. I must say I did enjoy it! I thought it was very entertaining and for the most part did show the military and especially the EOD Community in a good light.

I haven't been to Iraq, nor have I served in a military EOD unit; however, I did serve as a Law Enforcement Bomb Technician from 1972 to 1984. The majority of my time in LE EOD, we didn't have Robots, Bomb Suits and much of the equipment that is available to both the military and LE today. In those days, it was a pen light and the X-Acto knife and a hands on approach, to include setting up the x-ray, etc.

The prime objective was to collect evidence which usually isn't a high priority for the military. Body armor was available; however, it wasn't any good and just got in the way. I had to laugh when he took off his suit on the one IED, I would have done the same thing. The fact is if that device would have gone off all the suit would have done (maybe) is keep the chunks larger.

So, yes I would have rather been comfortable in performing the RSP. I really didn't see a lot of BS on the RSP's that were conducted, given the circumstances. The largest IED I worked on contained 800 Pounds of 50 % Dynamite (The large diameter sticks.)

So, like I said earlier one has to keep in mind this is a MOVIE made in Hollywood, for the entertainment of civilians who don't know squat about EOD, RSPs or the military in general. It is not a training film!* The Military EOD, given their size have had a lot of casualties doing their job in both theaters of the war and deserve all the praise they can get. They have no doubt saved many people's ass's there!

It irritates the hell out of me when people who are not EOD criticize this movie, on the basis of the EOD work when they have never had to put on a bomb suit and work one one one with an IED. The bomb suit is worthless when one is confronted by an IED the size shown in the movie, nor could a Robot rendered that device safe.

03-08-2010, 22:35	#92
Trip_Wire (RIP) Quiet Professional Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pacific NW - Puget Sound Posts: 1,091	My take on the movie Hurt Locker. I finally watched the movie Hurt Locker, the other night. I must say I did enjoy it! I thought it was very entertaining and for the most part did show the military and especially the EOD Community in a good light. I haven't been to Iraq, nor have I served in a military EOD unit; however, I did serve as a Law Enforcement Bomb Technician from 1972 to 1984. The majority of my time in LE EOD, we didn't have Robots, Bomb Suits and much of the equipment that is available to both the military and LE today. In those days, it was a pen light and the X-Acto knife and a hands on approach, to include setting up the x-ray, etc. The prime objective was to collect evidence which usually isn't a high priority for the military. Body armor was available; however, it wasn't any good and just got in the way. I had to laugh when he took off his suit on the one IED, I would have done the same thing. The fact is if that device would have gone off all the suit would have done (maybe) is keep the chunks larger. So, yes I would have rather been comfortable in performing the RSP. I really didn't see a lot of BS on the RSP's that were conducted, given the circumstances. The largest IED I worked on contained 800 Pounds of 50 % Dynamite (The large diameter sticks.) So, like I said earlier one has to keep in mind this is a MOVIE made in Hollywood, for the entertainment of civilians who don't know squat about EOD, RSPs or the military in general. It is not a training film!* The Military EOD, given their size have had a lot of casualties doing their job in both theaters of the war and deserve all the praise they can get. They have no doubt saved many people's ass's there! It irritates the hell out of me when people who are not EOD criticize this movie, on the basis of the EOD work when they have never had to put on a bomb suit and work one one one with an IED. The bomb suit is worthless when one is confronted by an IED the size shown in the movie, nor could a Robot rendered that device safe. __________________ De Oppresso Liber - RLTW "To make war upon rebellion is messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife" -TE Lawrence.
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