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Army SFC Eric Johnson Prepares to Complete 10 Mile Tough Mudder in 85-lb Bomb Suit
Written by Angelique Trent
Designed by British Special Forces, the Tough Mudder events include 10 to 12 miles of hardcore obstacles like scaling 12 foot walls and walking through flames and take approximately 3 hours to complete. On Sept 9, 2012, SFC Eric Johnson will be attempting to complete the Mid-Atlantic Tough Mudder in Frederick, Maryland—while wearing an 85-pound Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) bomb suit. Think doing 10 miles of insane obstacles in an 85-pound bomb suit sounds crazy? It is. However, it is something SFC Eric Johnson is willing to do to raise awareness and funds for both the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.
SFC Eric Johnson, originally from Charles City, Iowa, joined the Army in 2003 and became an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in 2007. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 as an EOD Team Leader. SFC Johnson currently serves as a Platoon Sergeant with the 702nd EOD Company in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
EOD technicians are brave men and women who are responsible for disarming, rendering safe, and disposing of a variety or unexploded military ordnance and terrorist devices, normally called Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs. IEDs on today's battlefields are responsible for the majority of fatalities and severe injuries to our troops. By risking their own lives, EOD technicians ensure other military troops are kept safe.
Many EOD units have done a number of different fundraising events that incorporate the bomb suit. Technicians have done 1-mile World Record runs and 5K runs. SFC Johnson currently holds the fastest time within the EOD community for a 1-mile run in the 85-pound bomb suit at 8:05. Additionally, his unit recently did a 4x400 relay all in the suit.
Where did the idea to do a Tough Mudder in a bomb suit come from? SFC Johnson said the Wounded Warriors inspired him: “After having done my first Tough Mudder last year and seeing some of the Wounded Warriors out there, I was inspired to find a way to support them. What started off as ‘that would be insane to do that in a bomb suit’ turned into ‘I think it can be done.’ Now, I have no doubt that I can complete it.”
Running the Tough Mudder in an 85-pound bomb suit will be one of the hardest things, if not the hardest, SFC Johnson will endure in his life. However, for him, it is not about the challenge but rather the two charities he is representing. “While completing this challenge is my expectation,” said SFC Johnson, “the primary focus is to help our wounded veterans. The pain/discomfort I will undoubtedly endure is miniscule compared to the challenges that these Soldiers endure on a daily basis.”
To read more about SFC Johnson’s goal and to support the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project, visit http://bombsuitmudder.org.
