I was born in Vancouver, Washington on January 6, 1980. I went to Goldendale H.S. in Goldendale, Washington. I earned a diploma from Goldendale H.S. in 1998. During high school I worked with my uncle performing general construction contracting.
My mother is Cindy Olson and Father is Phillip Olson. They both reside in Centerville, Washington. I have two younger brothers, Matthew and Wade. My wife, Brandi Olson, along with my daughters, Emma and Sophia have recently relocated back to Goldendale, WA for my medical retirement.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in June 1997 and reported to 6th ESB Category P platoon to begin fulfilling my contract. I reported to MCRD San Diego in June 1998. Upon graduation in September 1998, I returned to 6th ESB. I reported to Basic Combat Engineer School in June 1999 as a LCpl and MCT in June 2001 as a Corporal. While at 6th ESB I deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of a UDP, Alaska, and Belize. I also performed more than 6 months of ADSW to assist in Color Guard and Burial details.
In August of 2001 I applied for and was accepted to the Active Reserve Program and reported to VMFA-112 at Joint Reserve Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas in January 2002. Upon reporting, I immediately went to Powerplant and Fuel System A-School in Pensacola, Florida and F-18 C-School in El Centro, California. I also obtained the 5811 (Military Police) MOS as well as Marksmanship Coach MOS while stationed with VMFA-112. Also while stationed at VMFA-112 I graduated from Columbia College of Missouri with an Associate in Arts and a Baccalaureate Degree in interdisciplinary Studies. While stationed with VMFA-112 I deployed to Miramar twice, Eglin AFB, Elmendorf AFB, Norway, Hawaii twice, and completed 1 WestPac. I was promoted to Sergeant in April 2004. I then received orders to EOD School in Eglin AFB, Florida in June 2006 and graduated as the Honor Graduate in April 2007.
After graduation from NAVSCHOLEOD I served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician at 9th Engineer Support Battalion. I was promoted to Staff Sergeant in August 2008. While at 9th ESB, my deployments include KITP 07(South Korea), Balikitan 08(Phillipines), OIF 08-2 as a Team Leader, and a Far East float as a Team Leader with 31st MEU Force Reconnaissance Platoon. I attended Silver Flag, SNCO Academy Career Course, Dynamic Entry, Dynamic Assault, completed the Joint Services Senior SNCO PME, and Dynamics of International Terrorism. I detached from 9th ESB EOD Company in May 2010 and reported to 7th ESB, 1st EOD Company in June 2010.
Upon reporting to 1st EOD Company I began pre-deployment training for OEF and deployed to Afghanistan in September 2010. I was assigned to the Kajaki battle space near the Kajaki Dam. While at Kajaki I lost my team member to an IED on November 19 while performing a search. On January 3, 2011 I functioned a pressure switch resulting in a low order detonation and ended my Afghanistan deployment. Since that time I have held a variety of billets to include Training Chief, Operations Chief, and EOD Chief. I underwent foot reconstruction surgery in April 2012. In April 2013 it was determined that I am unfit for continued active service and was given a medical retirement date of 29 September, 2013.
My immediate plans are to find a job with either the County or State for a year or two. During this time I intend to work on my gunsmithing and receive my Federal Firearms License. My five year plan includes opening a retail gun shop, as well as a shooting complex including distance and clay shooting, leaning heavily toward sponsoring youth marksmanship programs.
My mother is Cindy Olson and Father is Phillip Olson. They both reside in Centerville, Washington. I have two younger brothers, Matthew and Wade. My wife, Brandi Olson, along with my daughters, Emma and Sophia have recently relocated back to Goldendale, WA for my medical retirement.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in June 1997 and reported to 6th ESB Category P platoon to begin fulfilling my contract. I reported to MCRD San Diego in June 1998. Upon graduation in September 1998, I returned to 6th ESB. I reported to Basic Combat Engineer School in June 1999 as a LCpl and MCT in June 2001 as a Corporal. While at 6th ESB I deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of a UDP, Alaska, and Belize. I also performed more than 6 months of ADSW to assist in Color Guard and Burial details.
In August of 2001 I applied for and was accepted to the Active Reserve Program and reported to VMFA-112 at Joint Reserve Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas in January 2002. Upon reporting, I immediately went to Powerplant and Fuel System A-School in Pensacola, Florida and F-18 C-School in El Centro, California. I also obtained the 5811 (Military Police) MOS as well as Marksmanship Coach MOS while stationed with VMFA-112. Also while stationed at VMFA-112 I graduated from Columbia College of Missouri with an Associate in Arts and a Baccalaureate Degree in interdisciplinary Studies. While stationed with VMFA-112 I deployed to Miramar twice, Eglin AFB, Elmendorf AFB, Norway, Hawaii twice, and completed 1 WestPac. I was promoted to Sergeant in April 2004. I then received orders to EOD School in Eglin AFB, Florida in June 2006 and graduated as the Honor Graduate in April 2007.
After graduation from NAVSCHOLEOD I served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician at 9th Engineer Support Battalion. I was promoted to Staff Sergeant in August 2008. While at 9th ESB, my deployments include KITP 07(South Korea), Balikitan 08(Phillipines), OIF 08-2 as a Team Leader, and a Far East float as a Team Leader with 31st MEU Force Reconnaissance Platoon. I attended Silver Flag, SNCO Academy Career Course, Dynamic Entry, Dynamic Assault, completed the Joint Services Senior SNCO PME, and Dynamics of International Terrorism. I detached from 9th ESB EOD Company in May 2010 and reported to 7th ESB, 1st EOD Company in June 2010.
Upon reporting to 1st EOD Company I began pre-deployment training for OEF and deployed to Afghanistan in September 2010. I was assigned to the Kajaki battle space near the Kajaki Dam. While at Kajaki I lost my team member to an IED on November 19 while performing a search. On January 3, 2011 I functioned a pressure switch resulting in a low order detonation and ended my Afghanistan deployment. Since that time I have held a variety of billets to include Training Chief, Operations Chief, and EOD Chief. I underwent foot reconstruction surgery in April 2012. In April 2013 it was determined that I am unfit for continued active service and was given a medical retirement date of 29 September, 2013.
My immediate plans are to find a job with either the County or State for a year or two. During this time I intend to work on my gunsmithing and receive my Federal Firearms License. My five year plan includes opening a retail gun shop, as well as a shooting complex including distance and clay shooting, leaning heavily toward sponsoring youth marksmanship programs.
We honor you, Eric Olson.