A former U.S. Navy EOD Master Chief is taking his threat management skills to school

Jeff Crouell, a retired U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal master chief, knows the damage that complacency can do.

Crouell, a Bachelor's degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness student, has already performed in situations that most on ground students only read about. Early to bomb disposal training, Crouell served several tours in Baghdad, in the thick of enemy-planted IEDs, dive-checked Navy boats in Bahrain; and later, served stateside, where he swept for explosives ahead of parade and inauguration routes.

Crouell's confidence with bomb disposal, however, did not transfer to all aspects of his civilian life.

"I know it's hard for some people to fathom, but during my 23 years in the U.S. Navy, I was enjoying my missions so much I did not want to take the chance of missing a potential deployment because of a school commitment," noted Crouell. "Upon retirement, I had plenty of time to reflect on some missed opportunities – among them, earning my degree."

Crouell said that higher education seemed like a logical progression that would afford him the opportunity to expand International Threat Management (ITM), a company he co-owns with his wife, Kathy, who is also a U.S. military veteran and a recent graduate of Thomas Edison State College.

"Earning my degree will give me a more informed view of the emergency preparedness issues spanning the private and public sectors and law enforcement agencies. The course work could also help me better-position our company in the market place," said Crouell.

The Crouell's company specializes in training civilians and law enforcement in effective disaster management in the workplace and in public spaces. Most recently, ITM's focus has been on tactical training to protect schools, government buildings, college campuses and prisons during a potential mass shooting incident.

For its training, ITM uses a state-of-the-art infrared weapon system that differs from laser tag and blank cartridge training of the past. Unlike customary 'simunition' rounds, Crouell explained that ITM's system allows law enforcement agencies to train in any school, college, hospital, government building, mall or stadium with little noise or disruption and without leaving behind spent cartridges, paintballs or soft projectiles.

"Armed forces personnel have traditionally used Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), which requires a costly attachment to their service weapons," said Crouell. "MILES simulations require significant clean up and that users wear special gear, which can also be expensive. Also inherent in these simulations are the man-hours it takes to load the required number of magazines (if using blanks) preparing the weapons and suiting up."

Crouell feels that once law enforcement agencies are able to see, try out and understand ITM's capabilities and compare it to the cost of their current training system, that he will have converts.

On the civilian side, counterbalancing evil intent with productive, life-saving behavior is not something that is top of the mind for most civilians in a public setting. For this reason, the Crouell’s saw a need for onsite civilian emergency training.

"As an employee, supervisor, student or visitor, you have to be prepared to react to a disaster decisively and immediately. You need to ask yourself, 'what is my course of action in case situation A or B happens?' And, 'what is my backup plan?'" he noted. Crouell explained that replacing the confusion and hysteria inherent in a mass shooting situation, for instance, with more informed reactions, is what ITM's training strives to accomplish.

In the scheme of things, Crouell feels that civilians could be safer if they were exposed to more pertinent 'what ifs.'

"Elementary schools routinely hold fire drills, but statistically, it's rare that school children are trapped in a fire on school property. Why can't we train the public and staff for a live shooter in the vicinity, and make this a routine too? If we do nothing then we are at the mercy of those who are doing something," continued Crouell. "Think about it, the last detailed instruction you receive prior to every take off in a passenger plane is what to do in the event of a plane crash. These demos aren't entirely useless, but crashes are relatively rare."

Among positive influencers in his life, Crouell points immediately to his wife, Kathy, who served as a senior master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force for 22 years before retiring.

"She has become a huge influence by standing beside me. She believes in me and believes in ITM's mission and that we have the ability to be successful. When times are tough, she keeps pushing through that trough to get us back up on the wave," he said.

The Crouell's have three children: Brandy, age 28; Gerry, 22; and Austin, 10. Between their busy schedules, parenting, course work and growing their company, the Crouell's covet their leisure time together.

"We enjoy traveling in the U.S. and abroad, golfing, and many hours of boating - especially here in Charleston, S.C.," he said. "There's nothing like taking the boat down the river on a sunny Saturday to a waterside café and coming back under moonlight!"

To find out more about ITM, visit http://internationalthreatmanagement.com

To find out more about the undergraduate programs offered through the Heavin School of Arts and Sciences, visit www.tesc.edu/heavin.


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