Photo By Master Sgt. Warren Wright | U.S. Army Sgt. Robert "Bob" Moore, a native of Lavinia, Tenn. and an agronomist...... read more read more
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The Agri-business Development Teams in Afghanistan are tasked with the responsibility to help rebuild the county's agriculture industry and it is important that members of the teams have an extensive knowledge of agriculture to help ensure the success of the ADT's mission.
One of those Soldiers is Sgt. Robert Moore, who according to his fellow Soldiers, may have more knowledge in the field of agriculture then many of his peers.
Moore, a native of Lavinia, Tenn., has decades of experience in the agriculture trade, and multiple degrees to show for it.
Moore's military experience dates back to the end of the Vietnam War, where he served in the Army from 1972-75 and was a witness to the fall of Saigon.
Moore was set to leave the National Guard in November of 2008. However, once he heard of the opportunity to come to Afghanistan and share his agriculture experience, he re-enlisted to deploy with the Tennessee ADT.
Moore brings more than just experience to the team. He also has a passion for agriculture that is shown in his attitude and in the expressions on his face.
"He's Mr. Agriculture," said U.S. Army Maj. James W. Thompson, an engineer advisor for the Tenn. ADT. "He probably knows more about plants, animals, insects, soil and farming then most of us will ever know, combined," said the native of Louisville, Ky.
Back in his civilian life, Moore is a professor of Agriculture at Austin P. State University in Clarksville, Tenn., a job that he continues during his free time while deployed.
Moore teaches a honeybee biology and beekeeping course to 16 Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Gardez, home to Paratroopers of 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment and 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion both with 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. Moore also teaches online courses to students back in the states.
"I did it initially to get some of the guys in the ADT involved in college," said Moore. "I understood I wouldn't get paid to teach it, but I thought it would be a worthwhile thing to donate my time to."
Moore hopes that by offering classes to his Soldiers, they will at least get their foot in the door to beginning their education.
"The biggest outcome I want to see come out of it, is that if I can get them enrolled in a college course, then hopefully that will motivate many of them to go into another course," said Moore. "The longest journey in the world starts with a single step."
Moore has the ability to laugh at himself, and even use his life experiences to help educate students.
"There is one small video clip of him, out working with his bee box; he dropped a piece of the box which caused the swarm to react, and in his effort to get away from it, he turned and backed over the next bee box behind him which he forgot was there," Thompson said.
Moore explained that he wants to take the video, place it on his online class, and label the video "Situational Awareness," not just to get a laugh, but to show students the importance of knowing what is going on around them at all times.
Moore's passion for education and teaching is an excellent thing, according to Thompson. "He wants all the soldiers to have the opportunity to, if not go to college, at least obtain some college level courses."
"Sgt. Moore is a complex creature. He's very intense and he definitely believes in his mission," Thompson concluded.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2009 06:18 |
| Story ID: | 38771 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 267 |
| Downloads: | 224 |
This work, Tennessee Guard non-commissioned officer shares knowledge in Afghanistan, by MSG Warren Wright, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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