Benjamin J. Cipperley

Note: This is the biography page of a former staff member, affiliate, etc., and may not be current.

CDR Cipperley was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1999 with a degree in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned as a Navy EOD Officer. He began his career at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center as a member of 99-20-BDO and completed dive school and Surface Warfare Officer School before reporting to USS SENTRY (MCM 3). During this tour, he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. He then reported to Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal as a member of class 03-10N. He graduated and was designated as a Basic EOD Technician in 2003.

At sea, he served as Officer in Charge, EOD Mobile Unit SIX Detachment TEN, in Charleston, SC where he deployed aboard the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, and as the EOD Mobile Unit THREE Operations Officer and Executive Officer. While at EODMU THREE, he deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM to establish the Counter-IED Task Forces in Regional Commands South and Southwest. He also served as the Deputy Operations Officer and Staff EOD Officer for Commander, Task Force SEVENTY SIX in Okinawa, Japan.

Ashore, he served as Officer in Charge, EODMU FIVE Detachment JAPAN in Yokosuka, Japan.

From April 2015 until June 2017, CDR Cipperley served as Commanding Officer Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit FIVE in Guam. During his command tour, EODMU FIVE was recognized with the Meritorious Unit Award and the 2016 Battle “E” Award.

CDR Cipperley holds a Master’s Degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is authorized to wear the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (five awards) and various service and unit awards.

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38 North: News and Analysis on North Korea