COL Dick Larry

COL Dick Larry’s distinguished career spanned 34 years where he was acknowledged as a subject matter expert in EOD, Weapons Technical Intelligence (WTI), and C-IED.

While serving as the 79th Ordnance Battalion, EOD, in Iraq, OIF1 he created the Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell (CEXC) setting the standard for in-theater IED exploitation, technical intelligence and response for all of DOD. He additionally created the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) Bomb Disposal responsible for the management, storage, and disposal of ammunition stockpiles (eliminating the threat posed by abandoned ammunition storage sites around the country). He established post blast investigation as a focal point for technical exploitation by EOD teams which provided essential forensics and technical intelligence for IEDs. Successfully commanded at the time the largest contingent of EOD personnel since Desert Storm.

His notable assignments include serving as the Deputy G-5, Chief of Coalition Operations, Chief of Civil Military Operations, and Chief of Staff in Kuwait for 3rd United States Army at Fort McPherson. He created a series of mil-mil EOD engagement activities for Army Central Command (ARCENT) with various countries, still used today, as a template for EOD engagements and to further the Nations national security efforts.

COL Larry served as the Director, EOD Center of Excellence/Commander EOD Training Detachment, Redstone Arsenal. He created the EOD Recruiting Team pilot to recruit pre-Q course SF soldiers into EOD to balance both in-service personnel and off the street recruits into the Army EOD program. Additionally, he provided oversight and guidance for the development and implementation of as EOD Company Commanders Course and conceived, developed, and produced an EOD Recruitment video. He provided oversight and guidance in FY03 to reduce EOD Phase 2 training attrition to 9%, the lowest in EOD’s history.

His career culminated as the Chief, G-38 for Adaptive Counter-Improvised Explosive Device/Explosive Ordnance Disposal Solutions Division Additionally, he created the EOD Branch to provide oversight and guidance of Army EOD Policy. COL Larry led the Army's Counter IED effort, serving as the Army’s primary point man ensuring that Army strategy and capabilities are fully vested and supportable to the warfighter across the army and DOD.

COL Larry’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, USAF Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Special Forces Tab, Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, and Army Staff ID Badge.

COL Larry retired in May 2013 after serving as a strategic thinker, planner and leader, whose innovations and foresight drove dynamic changes in the EOD career field.