Carl Gotzmer, research physicist at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, received the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service award today in the Pentagon.

The award is the highest given to career Department of Defense civilian employees, and is presented to those whose careers reflect exceptional devotion to duty and to those whose contributions significantly improve Defense operations.

Gotzmer, who began his career in 1965 at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, earned the distinction for his work in energetic formulations, novel weapon system concepts, reactive materials, and undersea warheads.

“Carl is a world-recognized expert in the research and development of energetic materials,” said NSWC IHEODTD Commanding Officer, Capt. Thomas Smith.  “During the last 10 years, his work has led to the use of reactive materials as a primary kill mechanism to thermally destroy chemical and biological facilities, equipment, and agents without further dispersal.  This agent defeat research and development has resulted in the issuance of five patents which protect the intellectual property rights of the U.S. Navy.  Carl has authored more than 100 publications.  He holds more than 50 patents/applications, and he continues to consult and advise Navy, Department of Defense, academia and private industry.”

Gotzmer also invented a new class of rocket propellants based on a Carboxylterminated Butadiene Nitrile Copolymer (CTBN) binder system. One of the CTBN-based propellants was qualified and fielded for the MK 23 Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO).  His other accomplishments include development of High Temperature Thermal Radiation (HTTR) devices; Vulcan Fire; Projectile for Standoff Destruction of Explosive Devices; HTTR Grenade; Ultra-High-Speed Cutting of Steel; Underwater Hydro-reactive Explosive System; Apparatus and Methods for Evaluation of Energetic Materials; and Selectable Fragmentation Warhead.

“I feel blessed to receive this honor,” said Gotzmer.  “I couldn’t have achieved it without the support of everyone at Indian Head.  I’ve had an amazing career doing exactly what I love to do.  I love to learn more, do more, solve more; and researching new energetic materials is always an exciting challenge.  Knowing I can help save lives by doing it makes the job even more rewarding.”

NSWC IHEODTD is a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Department of the Navy’s science and engineering enterprise.  We are the leader in energetics, energetic materials, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) knowledge, tools, equipment.  Our Division focuses on the research, development, test, evaluation, in-service support, and disposal of energetics and energetic systems as well as works to provide Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen worldwide with the information and technological solutions they need to detect/locate, access, identify, render safe, recover/exploit, and dispose of both conventional and unconventional explosive threats.