Searching for IED’s with a metal detector in Afghanistan reminded me of a hobby I first fell in love with many years prior. I was 7 or 8 years old when introduced to a friend of my father’s. Dave Dosier took me on my first trip to Rio Hills (before Kroger and Lowes were built) and showed me what relic hunting was about. He passed shortly there after. As young as I was, I couldn’t buy my own equipment or go out digging. I decided to put this would be hobby on the back burner. Fast forward to 2013. Arghandab valley, Afghanistan. While being on point for my platoon, I was armed with a Minehound (Vallon VMR3G). I searched for IED’s ahead of my platoon. Then it struck me! I remembered the hobby I wanted to pursue when I got older. After I got out of the Army in 2014, I moved back to Va and bought my first detector and set out in Orange Co. I joined the Rapidan River Relic Hunting Association and after my first club hunt, I realized I was under-equipped for the red dirt. I saw everyone carrying these boxy machines and digging Civil War bullets. After talking to some of the members, I knew I needed the technology that they were using to be successful. So, I went out and bought a GPX 4500. I haven’t looked back since!