It turns out that you put your blood type and your NKA (no known allergies) on my foot and you stick a dogtag in your laces because it’s the part of you that’s most likely to survive if you get blown up. We found feet a lot. If you’re going to find a part of the bomber or victim, you might find their head. It’s a better chance that you’re going to find their hands and feet.

— Brian Castner, on why soldiers tie their ID and blood type around their feet instead of their hands, from ‘The Life That Follows’ Disarming IEDs in Iraq

buckaroo-monroe:

An IED detection dog handler with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment holds security with his dog Coot during a partnered patrol with the Afghan Border Police, which has established governance in the southern Garmsir district of Afghanistan through the mentorship of 3rd Bn/3rd MarReg Marines.

Today: Brian Castner, who led a team in Iraq that disabled IEDs.