We had the good fortune of connecting with Jerry Shelton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerry, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in Shelbyville, Indiana, with a dream of becoming a journalist. I imagined telling powerful stories and giving voice to things that mattered—but like many kids, I couldn’t figure out how to afford college. Born into an Air Force family, I chose a familiar path and enlisted—hoping the education benefits would one day lead me back to writing. What I didn’t realize then was that the real story I’d end up telling would be shaped by a life of service, sacrifice, and unexpected purpose. I never did become a journalist, but I’ve found other ways to tell meaningful stories—especially those of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community I’ve come to call family. Platforms like this give me the chance to shine a light on the resilience, sacrifice, and humanity of those who run toward danger so others don’t have to. That’s a story worth telling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Service has always been at the heart of my journey. After 30 years in the Air Force as an EOD technician, I retired knowing I still had more to give. I didn’t want to walk away from the people who had become my life’s work. Transitioning from military service to government contracting and eventually into nonprofit leadership came with a steep learning curve—but the mission kept me grounded. It gave me renewed purpose. Along the way, I’ve learned that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—and that leading with compassion and integrity makes every challenge worth it.

Today, I serve as the Executive Director of the EOD Warrior Foundation (EODWF), a nonprofit organization located in Niceville, Florida that supports Active-Duty, Guard and Reserve EOD service members, veterans, retirees and their families. We focus on four pillars of support: financial relief, education, hope and wellness, and memorial care. What sets us apart is that our work isn’t transactional—it’s transformational. We’re there for the entire journey—standing alongside EOD families through life’s challenges and milestones, from everyday needs to times of crisis, recovery, and rebuilding. The EODWF believes that the EOD family is for life. Our ongoing mission is to disarm the challenges of the EOD family by providing our support with compassion and caring to every individual we serve.

One of the most meaningful expressions of our mission happens each year on National EOD Day, a national observance held on the first Saturday in May. It honors members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have risked their lives in disposing explosives. To mark the occasion, the EODWF hosts EOD Memorial Weekend events in and around beautiful Fort Walton Beach, Florida—including the EOD Memorial Golf Tournament, EOD Auction, EOD Memorial Ball, and the solemn EOD Memorial Ceremony. During this meaningful weekend, the EOD community comes together to honor the 345 EOD Warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, while also celebrating the unbreakable bonds, enduring sense of family, and shared commitment that define our community.

What I want people to know is this: EOD technicians run toward danger without hesitation to save others. The EOD Warrior Foundation exists to make sure those quiet heroes—and their families—never feel alone. I’m proud to be part of an organization that reflects the strength, courage, and heart of this community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to Manitou Springs, Colorado. It’s where my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live, and it’s one of those towns that just has a vibe—historic, a little quirky, and full of charm. You can hike the Incline (and regret it halfway up), grab coffee at one of the local shops, wander through the art galleries, and hit the Penny Arcade. It’s a place that reminds you to slow down and appreciate the little moments—exactly what a good visit should be.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without question, my shoutout goes to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community, often described as the U.S. Military’s “bomb squad,” but it’s so much more than that. EOD men and women of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force are responsible for detecting, identifying, evaluating, rendering safe, exploiting, and disposing of explosive ordnance and they carry out this mission around the world—both in times of peace and in war. EOD is a family like no other, bound together not just by shared experiences, but by a deep sense of responsibility to protect and serve. Movies like The Hurt Locker (2008) may give people a glimpse of the profession’s intensity, but what they don’t always capture is the humility, teamwork, and compassion behind the scenes. I’ve been shaped by mentors, teammates, and families who’ve lived through the highest of highs and the hardest of losses. It’s their resilience, sacrifice, and love for one another that inspires everything I do now.

Website: https://eod-wf.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eod_wf/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eod-warrior-foundation/

Twitter: https://x.com/EODWarrior

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EODWF/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EODWF

Other: email: info@eod-wf.org

Image Credits
All photos courtesy of the EOD Warrior Foundation, except for the personal photo (taken by me).

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