The Fort Cavazos Media Center says the sounds of soldiers conducting physical training filled Phantom Warrior Stadium on Friday morning as U.S. Army Captain Travis Chewning-Kulick, commander of the 752nd Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), was surrounded like a race car at a pit stop. His EOD teammates helped ensure every part of his 50-pound bomb suit was ready for the challenge ahead.
When Capt. Chewning-Kulick crossed the finish line seven minutes and four seconds later, hundreds of soldiers and other onlookers erupted in cheers as he etched his name into the Guinness World Records by besting the previous bomb suit mile record time of seven minutes and 24.21 seconds, set by Mark Gibbs in 2017.
The Media Center says Chewning-Kulick is a native of Syracuse, New York, and is no stranger to high-level running. While attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated and commissioned in 2017, Chewning-Kulick competed on the marathon team. He ran the 2014 Army Ten-Miler in 58 minutes and 25 seconds to finish second in his age group. Still, running in a bomb suit challenged even this seasoned distance runner.
Running alongside Chewning-Kulick to help keep him on pace was 1st Sgt. Edwin Vazquez, the other half of the 752nd EOD command team. Vazquez and other Fort Cavazos EOD leaders participated in a bomb suit relay race prior to Chewning-Kulick’s run.
The Media Center says leadership from 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), who traveled to Fort Cavazos for an EOD ball, were able to come to Phantom Warrior Stadium to support Chewning-Kulick’s world record attempt.
EOD technicians are vital to the Army’s ability to safely neutralize explosive threats, protecting personnel and assets both domestically and abroad. Wearing a heavy bomb suit to do their jobs means physical fitness is integral to safely accomplishing their mission.
The Media Center says Chewning-Kulick’s record-breaking run is currently awaiting official verification by Guinness World Records, which is expected to take up to six months.
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