Vietnam vet brings experience to new war

Courtesy Photo | Edgar Groom is now the first sergeant for Alpha Company, 182nd Field Artillery Regiment. He served in Vietnam.  

TALLIL AIR BASE, IRAQ

04.10.2007

Courtesy Story

82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade

By Staff Sgt. Felix A. Figueroa
82nd SB Public Affairs Office

CAMP ADDER, IRAQ – Thirty-five years ago Spc. Edgar Groom served in Vietnam conducting re-supply convoy escorts and perimeter security along the border of Cambodia. Now he is the company first sergeant for a Michigan National Guard unit, Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, 182nd Field Artillery Regiment.

"The military today is not really all that different from the Army I grew up in," said Groom. "What we call things today, like a FOB for example, are basically the same things we had in Nam, it's just they were called differently and there's a lot more high tech gadgets around," Groom added.

Despite the 182nd identification, Field Artillery, troops assigned to this unit are now doing what their Viet Nam veteran first sergeant used to do, convoy logistics security.

"First sergeant has a lot of experience and talent in this field," said Sgt. Roderick Callaway, convoy commander; Company A, 182 FA Regiment.

"He's always telling us stories about Nam which is helpful to our mission here, and he's always mentoring us by showing us techniques about convoy security," Calloway added.

Consequently, being the company first sergeant, Comes with many responsibilities, which do not allow the 59-year-old leader to step out and actually show what he can do according to Groom.

""I have spent time talking to soldiers who go out and bring their experiences back and then they try to compare to mine," Groom said.

" For the most part, I feel that going out on convoys is what I need to do, to show them how it's done and maybe pick up a thing or two," Groom stated.

Fortunately for the soldiers of 187 FAR, Groom is not the only battle hardened, field-tested veteran at their disposal. Sgt. 1st Class Kerry Bentivolio, another Vietnam veteran brings his infantry and Special Weapons and Tactics or SWAT skills to the table in the fight against insurgency.

"I feel that I have a lot of experience to pass on to these young soldiers and they could definitely benefit from it," said Bentivolio.

In addition to training these young men in his spare time on SWAT, Bentivolio is also a high school history teacher back home.

"These vets bring lessons learned from a very distant past that most in my unit only read about in books and watched in movies," said Capt. Damean McDowell, A. Company Commander, 182 FAR.

"They are living proof that our TTP's( tactics, techniques and procedures) evolved and are still evolving, in order to better prepare our soldiers for the wars of the future. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it," McDowell added

Nobody in the 182nd doubts their age or experience of these seasoned warriors, however, their ability to keep up technologically comes with it's heart aches according to groom.

"We've been coddled by society too much over the last few decades and as a result, the ability to be a self starter is lacking," Groom said

"Don't get me wrong, these kids are a lot smarter than I am, however, they rely heavily on electronics in my opinion and need to put the game systems down and pay attention to life all around you because the things I teach and know came from life," Groom said.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2007
• Date Posted: 04.10.2007 10:03
• Story ID: 9839
• Location: TALLIL AIR BASE, IQ