Photo By Staff Sgt. April Campbell | Sgt. Jeff Wilkerson, a Las Vegas native, who serves as a M1-A2 Abrams tank gunner with...... read more read more
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By Pfc. April Campbell
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – In the room, lit only by the sunlight streaming in from outside, the Soldier uses his teeth to bite through the plastic pencil wrapper. With the children waiting excitedly in the adjoining rooms, there is not time to waste pulling out a knife.
The morning's mission, delivering presents to village school children in Bayrk, Iraq, was a far cry from Sgt. Jeff Wilkerson's previous two jobs as a beverage distributing operations manager and a hotel valet supervisor.
Wilkerson, 43, who spent almost four years in the Army during the 1980s, said he was please to return to being a Soldier – a job and life he loves.
After separating from the Army in 1986, Wilkerson, a Las Vegas native, who serves as an M1-A2 Abram's tank gunner with the 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division — Baghdad, missed being in the military. When working as a civilian, in many ways, he carried on the values of discipline and upholding standards he learned during his first enlistment.
"I regretted getting out (of the Army) every day," he said. "When I was in the civilian world, people told me I acted like I was in the military."
Wilkerson decided to reenlist after the maximum enlistment age was raised to 42 to help boost Army recruitment.
"I've got a 21-year-old son, and there are kids (serving) who are younger than him," he said. "I'm still in shape and capable of doing a good job. Maybe my service will mean that another young guy his age will be able to return to his family."
Before being transferred to his current platoon, Wilkerson was originally assigned to the 3rd Platoon, Co. D, 1-68 AR.
Upon learning Wilkerson would be joining the unit in January 2007, 1st Lt. Matthew Vigeant, Nashua, N.H., native, who serves as the platoon leader for the 3rd Platoon, Co. D, 1-68 AR, was a bit nervous about having an older Soldier coming on board.
"I'm really big about doing (physical fitness training)," said Vigeant, "and I wasn't sure a brand new 43-year-old Soldier would be able to keep up."
It was not long, however, before Wilkerson, who can outrun many in his current platoon, disproved Vigeant's worries.
When a Soldier known as "Old Man" in the platoon puts a lot of effort into keeping fit, said Wilkerson, younger Soldiers are encouraged to keep up and excel in their physical fitness.
"I hope I'm giving the young kids motivation to better themselves," said Wilkerson.
His hard work and positive attitude has been recognized by his leaders.
"Wilkerson is the best Soldier I've ever worked with," said Vigeant. "His impact on the other guys has been huge – by both talking to them one-on-one and setting an example."
Getting to know and become friends with fellow Soldiers is a big part of Army life, Wilkerson said. Adjusting to more distant work relationships in the civilian world can be difficult.
Being in the military again has provided him with the camaraderie he missed after he left the service more than 20 years ago, said Wilkerson.
"The friendship of fellow Soldiers did not change (while I was a civilian)," he added.
One Soldier who Wilkerson has befriended is Spc. Derek Massy, a Paso Robles, Calif., native, who serves as a M1-A2 Abrams tank leader with the 2nd Platoon, Co. D, 1-68 AR. The two met while at the Warrior Transition Course in Santa Fe, N.M., which is set up for Soldiers who are returning to the Army after having separated from the service.
While the two do not work in the same operational area here, they live in the same barracks warehouse at Camp Taji. They find time after their daily missions are complete to catch up. The two joke about the age difference between themselves and the other Soldiers.
"We'll tease each other about being older – saying things like 'How's your hip?' or 'Where's the wheel chair you came here in?'" said Massy.
In addition to the military camaraderie, Wilkerson also enjoys the work he is doing in Fahama, a rural region in the Istaqlal district of Baghdad, during his deployment.
"My favorite part of the job is getting on the ground and interacting with the people – especially the kids," he said. "I'm always handing out candy. I like to see the smiles on their faces."
One child, in the village of Jalatah, even recognizes Wilkerson and comes over to say hello to him when the unit stops there, he added.
In the long run, Wilkerson plans to serve his country until retirement, he said. He hopes to earn the rank of sergeant first class, if not higher, before that time comes.
"As long as the Army allows me to stay in," he added, "I want to stay."
Meanwhile, back in the Bayrk school house, the smiling children swarmed around Wilkerson and his fellow Soldiers as they pass out the school supplies and stuffed animals they brought with them. The "Old Man" returns the children's smiles with one of his own.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2008 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 16105 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 288 |
| Downloads: | 260 |
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