About Darren Gilbert
I am an American! I am also a forty-eight-year-old University of Tennessee alumnus with a degree in political science.
For many years, I was one of those guys who couldn’t figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up, and so I have done a lot of things over the years.
I proudly served four years in the U.S. Army Infantry and spent most of that time overseas. After completing training, I was stationed for two years with the 2/22 Infantry in Weisbaden, Germany. After that, I did a one year tour with the 1/17 Infantry at Camp Casey in South Korea. During that tour, I completed a 90-day rotation at Warrior Base patrolling the DMZ. I left South Korea to complete my enlistment at Ft. Campbell, KY where I served with the 1/501st Infantry, a unit of the 101st Air Assault division. While with the 501st, I deployed to Ft. Sherman, Panama for about three months and while in Panama, I graduated from the Jungle Warfare school. I received an Honorable Discharge, a Good Conduct Medal, and an Army Commendation Medal.
I have been interested in martial arts since high school, and dabbled earlier in Uechi-Ryu and Tae Kwon Do. I began the study of Isshin-ryu Karate in 1983 and currently hold a 4th degree black belt under the late Sensei Sherman Harrill. I ran a commercial karate school for several years, but now simply work to develop my own skills and teach a few close friends.
In 1999, I began Executive Security International’s Advanced Executive Protection Program. To become a Certified Protection Specialist, I successfully completed over 600 hours of training in areas that included Principles of Protection, Profiles of Terrorism and Violence, Human Intelligence Collection, Stalking and Dangerous Human Behavior, Bomb Search and Identification, Protective Detail Operations, Defensive Shooting Tactics, Unarmed Defensive Tactics, Operational Intelligence, and Electronic Security.
Over the years, I have driven a glass delivery truck for a wholesale glass company, roofed houses, completed a lineman’s apprenticeship program and worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority as both a journeyman lineman and a dual-rate line-foreman. I have worked as both an armed and unarmed security guard, and as a personal security consultant.
I have finally settled down and am enjoying my developing new career in management for a regional IT company. I am a member of the Apple Consultants Network and the Apple Certification Alliance.
My preferred activities include reading, riding motorcycles, living karate-do, and shooting with both rifles and handguns. I am a lifetime member of the NRA, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, and a committed Patriot Warrior.
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VTX CAFE
Concerning your “About me” paragraph. This is about your positions. Nothing about you. Are you young, elderly? Are you well-educated? Do you travel or have you traveled extensively? What is your work experience. Where do you live? Why should I value your opinion?
The paragraph you wrote could be about 20% of the US population.
Hmmmmm. Thank you. Very good comment and question! I will address those issues and see what I can do to improve my “About Me” paragraph and actually give some better information about me.
Hmm human profiling, eh? I should ask for a “Profile Reading” one of these days.
Great blog.
We’re in for a long fight but I’ll never back down.
If liberals do succeed at destroying America it will be over my dead body.
That is what comforts me. Knowing I’ll never live to see my country destroyed by liberalism. I’ll die first.
Hi Darren, just checking in. Haven’t seen any new posts. Hope all is well.
Sorry. Just started a new job and have been really busy the last week. I will am back now.
Darren
I served at Wiesbaden in B 2/22 from 12-1-03 till 5-04 then was re-deployed to Kirchgoens. I also did a tour in Korea with the 1-38th C company. From there I went stateside to the 197th.
I was honerably discharched with a Good Conduct,Army Achievment and Army Commendation medal. In 2002 I recieved my Korea Defense Service Medal.
I’m a life NRA member and a father of three.
Thanks for your service
Bill
William,
Nice to read a comment from a fellow ex-soldier who served at Weisbaden Airbase and a NRA member.
Was the 1/38th stationed at Camp Casey?
I hope you will visit my blog occasionally and let me know what you think about the posts.
Thank for your service as well!
Darren
Darren,
Good to hear back from you. The 1-38th was at Camp Hovey right outside of To-Ko-Ri. If you served in the 1st of the 17th then you possibly served with Lt. Rob Krott who went on to be an editor in Soldier of Fortune Magazine.
I actually met him there once in a bar in TDC. But at the time I diddn’t know who he was. He seemed like another soldier blowing off steam with a few beers.
Looking forward to visiting your site.
Bill
Bill,
Looks like Darren pre-dated us in the ROK by about 2 years. I was at Casey Oct 85- Oct 86… man more than 20 years ago… it flew by. I don’t remember meeting you specifically… were you hanging with Paul Fordiani? He was one of my buds in 1/38… Paulie was at St. Bona’s with me.
Currently in Iraq, off and on since 03.
Hi Rob,
I used to occasionally hike over the ridge to To-Ko-Ri from Camp Casey for a change of pace. Small world!
Hello Bill,
It sure doesn’t seem like twenty + years. Nice to have some fellow ROK vets visiting on here. I would like to also express my personal appreciation for what you guys are doing in Iraq. Despite the opinions of some of the left-wing liberals in this country, it needed to be done and it seems to be coming together.
Darren
Your funny, I’m 16 After september 11th I had it rough in school being an african american muslim, i was either a sell out or a terrorist bomber. People like you make religious freedom impossible. The Christians and Jews that age war against countries they can easily demolish. I don’t hate anyone because I myself don’t like to be categorized as anything but one of god’s creation because I am only who I am. I thank you for making people even more prejudice, think about the pepole who lives you affect by spreading false bull shit and categorizing people for there personal beliefs. I am a Jihadist, I’m only at war with sins.
I am all about freedom of religion and worshiping, or not, as you please. I am perfectly happy to peacefully coexist with anyone. However, I am not perfectly happy to be forcefully converted to Islam, blown up, beheaded or otherwise murdered by radical members of a group such as Al Qaeda. The facts are that certain fundamentalist Islamic jihadists are blowing up innocent Christian, Jewish, and yes, even Muslim, people.
I know that not all Muslims are terrorists, but currently all the terrorists trying to kill Americans (and/or other Westerners) are Muslims. If you are truly 16-years-old and a young Muslim, I am sorry you have had it rough. Unfortunately, such times are often hard and unfair to innocent people … such as the Germans, Italians, and Japanese Americans during WWII.
However, I suspect you may not be that at all, and I don’t think it is even a little bit funny!
From one Darren Gilbert (in Canada) to another (you–in the USA), congratulations on a good conservative website.
I am glad that my name is shared with a fellow fan of freedom.
Darren Gilbert
Toronto
P.S., You should post your pic on the site.
How about that! I am glad you like the site. My picture is on the site.. That’s me on the bike.
Stop by anytime!
HOOAH! US Army veteran as well. Served six years as an 88M and 13B. First at Ft Sill, 3BN 18th FA, which is now deactivated after returning from Iraq in 2006. Spent some time in Panama with a Trans unit and also had a “baby-sitting” job in Ft. Leavenworth playing liason to a bunch of Generals and Ambassadors. Thanks Darren.
Darren,
Sorry for the break in commo. First off. Thank you and WELCOME HOME!!! Happy Veteran’s Day.
I am glad to see sites like your’s. It gives me hope for our entire nation. I am quite computer “challenged”. But when I can I look in on a few sites and your’s is one I look for.
As for the 16 yr. old Muslim. I feel for him…I really do. But either he’s an ally or he’s not. If he hates sin so much maybe he can persuade the local Imans to not support groups who decapitate people on You Tube.
Enough said.
I read Mr. Krotts comments as well. I did know Lt. Fiordioni from the battalion. But I was a Spec 4 and as such diddn’t hang out with the officers. But Lt. Dave Pound was my Plt. Leader and my squad leader was a sharp E-6 named Dave Parritt. He was SF and served in some “interesting” places.
I was in a bar in TDC and was talking “trash” with another guy . We made a joke about the 1/17th because they were “mech” and we were “legs”. I was just goofing around. Anyhow this guy…Rob Krott…turns around and cracks a joke about the 1/38th. I’m not sure what happened next but my pal told me to ease off because the guy was an officer. Nothing bad happened everyone was laughing and we left.
Years later I saw Robs picture from GP Collier with an M-21 and a canteen cup. Damn if it wasn’t the same guy!!!!
All this time I met someone REALLY famous and diddn’t know it. Ha ha ha ha!!!!! I’d love to get him to autograph his book for me!!!
Also, Mike Durrant, the pilot captured in 1993 by the Somalis was a pilot in 2nd Div at the same time. I remember the guy who got hurt in TDC around Christmas with a falling brick to the head or something. Chief Durrant was the medivac pilot. Small world.
Okay…I’ve blabbed enough. Love to here from you. Tell Mr. Krott I’m going to buy his book!!!!!!
Hooah!!
Bill
Bill,
I actually remember that! LOL. Everyone who hung with me at Mom’s Place thought I was an E-6…
Thanks for buying my book!