Cleared Hot Episode 402 - Michael Montoya - Don't Kick Land Mines in Ukraine
Aug 11, 2025
Michael Montoya, a veteran with over 15 years in military operations and EOD, shares his unique insights after suffering a tragic injury from a landmine in Ukraine. He discusses the deadly complexities of explosive ordnance disposal and contrasts cinematic portrayals of EOD work with harsh realities. Montoya delves into the evolving combat dynamics in Ukraine, highlighting drone warfare strategies and the psychological impact on soldiers. He also emphasizes the importance of humanitarian efforts through his nonprofit, Invictus Global Response, while balancing humor and serious topics.
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From Logistics To EOD In Combat
- Michael Montoya describes being pulled from EOD school and shipped to Iraq within days during the Fallujah period.
- He learned EOD under pressure by doing left-seat/right-seat alongside experienced techs in combat.
Prioritize Safeties And Scaled Mitigation
- Make safeties and mitigations your baseline: distance, cover, PPE, scaled armor, and knowledge of explosive behaviors.
- Choose protections that fit the task rather than assuming full bomb suits are always practical.
Complexity Reflects Resources, Not Genius
- IED complexity mirrors the maker's knowledge, imagination, and access to materials, not genius engineering.
- Simpler devices dominate when resources are limited, and attackers iterate by responding to defenders' patterns.