From Military Leadership to Humanitarian Mine Action – Our CEO Larry Cousins.

Growing up, the person I revered most was my father, who served 28 years in the United States Army Infantry. For me, joining the military was a natural path. I attended North Georgia College, following in my father’s footsteps, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps (Maintenance) in 1995. However, I quickly realized my true passion lay elsewhere. As a Captain, I seized the opportunity to switch specialties and became Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) qualified, drawn by its unique mix of technical expertise, tactical problem-solving, and high-stakes mission execution. That decision reshaped my career and ultimately put me on the path I walk today.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, OIF 1 (2003-2004), I commanded the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), responsible for providing all EOD support to the 1st Armor Division across Baghdad. I led 11 teams tasked with clearing the aftermath of war. While my primary role was providing command and control of my teams, as much as practical, I would embed myself with the teams, ensuring they had the support, and leadership needed.

It was during this deployment that I experienced catalyst moment in my life that pushed my interest towards humanitarian work. A seemingly small incident at the time, but one that became indelibly etched in my memory. One day, while accompanying my team out of Forward Operating Base Falcon, on the highway south of Baghdad International Airport, the team was called to remove a submunition lodged in the upper fronds of a date palm. As the team leader prepared a counter-charge, a group of kids approached us. Their makeshift soccer field, adjacent to the palm, had a live M42 grenade sitting just yards from their goalposts. Unable to move it, they had simply marked it with a ring of rocks and continued playing.

We cleared it for them easily enough, but I frequently reflect on that submunition lying there on the kid’s soccer field. It was a stark reminder that even after conflicts end, there is a deadly legacy that persists, disproportionately impacting the lives of children, and threatening innocent lives.

Eventually, I attained the rank of Colonel, and worked at the Pentagon (2017), assigned to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC). My office, Stability and Humanitarian Affairs, oversaw the Department of Defense’s foreign disaster relief efforts, humanitarian assistance programs, and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). It was here that I gained a global perspective on mine action efforts, learning how small investments in HMA yield massive returns in diplomacy, security, and economic stability. HMA isn’t just about clearing land, it’s about restoring communities, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating opportunities for future generations.

It was during this time that I had my introduction to Golden West Humanitarian Foundation. While attending an HMA R&D conference in Thailand, in 2018, I met several members of their core team. What immediately struck me was their agility and innovative approach. Unlike many of the larger organizations in the mine action community of interest, Golden West had the freedom to act swiftly and implement cutting-edge solutions for mine action.

Now, as I step into the role of CEO, I feel honored and excited to lead an organization with such a rich legacy of impact. Golden West Humanitarian Foundation is composed of elite professionals; former military EOD specialists, ammunition experts, and international mine action leaders, each bringing unparalleled expertise to the field. Our work spans Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and Africa, focusing on EOD training, mentorship, PSSM, and pioneering new innovations to make mine action more effective and efficient.

Throughout my military career, I witnessed the lasting consequences of war, not just on my fellow soldiers, but on civilians caught in conflict zones. After three decades in military service, I recognized that my expertise in EOD wasn’t just about neutralizing threats on the battlefield, it could be used to make the world safer long after conflicts end. This realization is what led me toward Humanitarian Mine Action.

I recognize the tremendous responsibility of leading a 27-year-old foundation that has already transformed countless lives. My goal is to expand our reach and strive continued innovation in mine action. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited for the work ahead. We’ll continue to make a lasting impact, saving lives through innovation.

#GoldenWestHumanitarianFoundation #HumanitarianMineAction #Demining #UXO #GlobalSecurity #EconomicGrowth #LandmineFree