In observance of Veteran's Day, the IronPlanet blog will feature veterans who have returned from wartime service in the United States military and now work at or with GovPlanet. The aim of these interviews is to learn about the military experience from the people who were there. IronPlanet thanks those who participated in this project for their opinions and their service to our country.
A portion of the proceeds from GovPlanet's all-Humvee sale on November 15 will go to Fisher House Foundation, an organization that provides comfort homes to vets' families while their loved ones receive treatment.
IronPlanet Inspector PAUL KILGORE, pictured at left, served in the Army from 1986-2007 - just over 21 years. Paul was a First Sergeant/E-8, and was in Iraq from 2005-2006.
Why did you enlist?
College money. Took a few years to get to it, but now thanks to the Army I hold three degrees: an Associates in Business Administration; a BS in Business, Management and Economics; and an MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship.
What are the positive things the military did for you? How did it shape who you are today?
Provided me with discipline, commitment, time management, and camaraderie. It has allowed me to accomplish anything and everything that I set my mind too. Surrender is not in a Ranger's vocabulary.
Has your view of the rest of the world changed as a result of your service?
It sure has. We as Americans take everything for granted, we have anything we want or need and there are many people in countless countries who have nothing but the clothes or their backs. Most Americans don't appreciate the sacrifices that our men and women make to keep us free.
How can we as civilians support our troops?
Twenty-two service members (active, retired, separated or otherwise) take their lives every day. We need to find a better way to help those who need help. It is not enough to just thank them for what they have done, many of these young men and women have done and seen things that you can't undo, so support them in any way that is possible, everything helps. Combat is not fun, it never has been, it never will be.
What would you tell a young person thinking about enlisting?
It is a great career, it is a tough and hard job, it is not for everyone. It will be the best thing you ever do in life, but it will also be some of the worst times in your life. You will work with some of the best people in the world, making friends for life, but you will also meet a bunch of idiots along the way too - just like any job it is what you make of it. Get all the schooling and training you can, and strive to be the best at everything you do!
Inspection Analyst MOSE ROSS joined in May 1996 and retired May (Navy) this year. He has been all over the world, but duty stations were MCAS Yuma, AZ; NAS Lemmore, CA;, NAS Carswell, TX; NAS Oceana, VA; MCAS Kanehoe, HI; and NAS Fallon, NV. His MOS was AD1 ( Aircraft Mechanic).
Why did you enlist?
I enlisted at 17 years old to get away from home - as with all teenagers I thought I was grown.
What are the positive things the military did for you? How did it shape who you are today?
The two main takeaways I got from the military was to take responsibility for your own actions, and everyone is the same no matter where they come from.
Has your view of the rest of the world changed as a result of your service?
My view of the world is different and I continue to learn that there are some good and crazy people everywhere no matter where on earth you’re located.
What would you tell a young person thinking about enlisting?
I would tell a young person thinking about joining that the military is more of a business now than it was when I joined. That being said you’ll get out of it, what you put into it. Just like any job.
