Brian Castner is a former explosive ordnance disposal officer—commonly referred to as an EOD officer—who dedicated a significant portion of his professional life to military service in the United States Air Force during the Iraq War. Within this demanding and perilous sphere of expertise, Castner undertook two major deployments, first in 2004 and subsequently in 2006, where he commanded specialized EOD units stationed at two of the most strategically vital air bases in Iraq: Balad Air Base and Kirkuk Air Base. These assignments required not only leadership under pressure but also the intuitive mastery of complex technical procedures designed to neutralize a vast array of explosive threats, ensuring the safety of countless personnel and supporting critical mission objectives in an environment of persistent danger.
Following the conclusion of his active military service in 2007, Castner transitioned into civilian life, applying his extensive knowledge of munitions and field operations as a military contractor—a role that allowed him to remain closely connected to the operational and logistical frameworks of defense work. However, his career soon took a distinctly new direction as he turned to the written word, channeling his experiences into authorship. Through writing, he sought to communicate the psychological and emotional realities faced by bomb disposal experts and to illuminate the broader implications of conflict for both soldiers and civilians alike.
Since 2018, Castner has brought his depth of technical and ethical insight to Amnesty International, where he serves as a weapons and war crimes investigator. His efforts have been aimed at uncovering the truth about how weapons are produced, distributed, and deployed in modern conflicts, thereby contributing to greater accountability on the international stage. In 2024, his dedication and expertise led him to assume the position of Head of Crisis Research at Amnesty International, a role that significantly expanded the scope of his responsibilities. In this capacity, Castner has traveled extensively to regions marred by war and instability—including Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Somalia—conducting meticulous field investigations and collecting evidence to document violations of international humanitarian law.
Through his work and writings, Castner offers a rare and multifaceted perspective on the evolution of conflict in the twenty-first century. He elucidates the extreme rigor of EOD training and preparation, where every procedure demands exactitude and where even the smallest lapse can result in fatal consequences. The discipline of explosive ordnance disposal, as he explains, is not merely a technical operation but a constant psychological negotiation with risk, requiring unwavering composure, teamwork, and trust. Transitioning from such a field into the arena of war crime investigation has allowed Castner to apply his understanding of weapons and their human consequences on a broader, more humanitarian scale. His professional journey thus mirrors the shifting realities of today’s global security landscape—one defined by both the rapid proliferation of weaponry and the urgent need for ethical investigation amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
For more information on the global implications of armed conflict, humanitarian investigation, and Amnesty International’s ongoing efforts in crisis response and accountability, visit: https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/armed-conflict/
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-military-bomb-disposal-works-technician-2025-10
