Assistant Proffessor of Military ScienceCaptain, Logistics

(Eplosive Ordinance Disposal)314 Wyoming Rd.
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-8217
bslechta@udel.edu

benjamin.p.slechta.mil@mail.mil

Captain Benjamin P. Slechta is a native of Hereford, Maryland. He attended the University of Scranton ROTC program and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In 2012 he commissioned as an Ordnance Officer. Captain Slechta attended Ordnance BOLC and the U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Basic Course at Ft. Lee, Virginia from 2012-2013. Upon completion of the EOD Basic Course, he attended Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal from 2013-2014 where he graduated earning the EOD Basic Badge. His first assignment was at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served as a Platoon Leader for the 74th EOD Company. While assigned as a Platoon Leader, his Platoon conducted various homeland response missions supporting range operations, local law enforcement, FBI, and various DOD entities throughout the Hawaiian Islands and multiple nations within the PACOM Area of Operations. He then became the Operations Officer for the unit where he helped spearhead multiple real world operations and training events for the entire Company. From November 2016 to June 2017 he attended the Logistics Captains Career Course (LOG-C3) at Ft. Lee, Virginia.Upon Completion of LOG-C3, Captain Slechta took Command of the 734th EOD Company at Fort Bliss, TX. He immediately deployed the Company to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from 2017-2018. While deployed he served as the Senior Mission Commander for all U.S. Army EOD elements operating within Iraq. His Company was responsible for providing direct support to U.S. and Coalition conventional forces, Coalition Special Operation Forces, 5th Special Forces Group, SEAL Team 3, and 1st Special Forces Group Operational Detachment-Delta. After relinquishing Command soon after redeployment he was transferred to the 5th Armored Brigade where he served as an Observer, Coach, Trainer (OC/T) for both the Brigade Support and Engineer Battalion’s as part of First Army. While in the 3-410 Brigade Engineer Battalion, CPT Slechta was assigned as the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Detachment Team Chief. His Detachment oversaw and trained all Mobilized U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard units on a three-day C-IED curriculum, which during his tenure covered 7,500 Soldiers. His Detachment also planned and conducted all Mission Readiness Exercises for every deploying Engineer construction/horizontal, route clearance, and EOD unit supporting CENTCOM, AFRICOM, and EUCOM. In July 2020 CPT Slechta moved to Newark, Delaware where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Military Science for the University of Delaware ROTC program. His schooling consists of the Ordnance Basic Officer Leader Course, the U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal School Basic Course, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, FBCB2-BFT Operators Course, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon Leaders Course, Total Ammunition Management Information System Course, JTAC Homemade Explosives Course, JTAC EOD Tactical Course, Naval School Advanced Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Course, Logistics Captains Career Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Command Post of the Future Operators Course, and the Observer, Controller, Trainer Course. His awards consist of the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, and Drivers Badge. CPT Slechta is married to Katie Brewington who is a former U.S. Army Nurse, has one child, and two pitbulls, Mia and Enzo.