Paul Kilgore - First Sergeant - US Army (Ret)
Paul Kilgore grew up in Silverton, OR. In 1986 he enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman COHORT attending One Station Unit Training and Ft Benning, GA and was then assigned to B Co 2/22 INF Ft Drum, NY. During his time in 2/22 INF he worked as a Grenadier, Team Leader and Squad Leader going from PFC to SSG.
Paul went to Korea in December of 1991, where he served with the 8th Army as a Primary Leadership Development Course Instructor at the NCO Academy at Camp Jackson. After a year in Korea he was sent back to Ft Benning to be a Drill Sergeant. After three years he went to Ft Lewis, WA to serve as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. Paul went back overseas and served as a Platoon Sergeant at Ft. Wainwright, AK. He then was stationed at Eglin AFB at 6th Ranger Training BN as a Ranger Instructor. His last and final duty assignment was back at Ft Drum as First Sergeant to D Co 1/87 INF, 1 BCT, 10th Mountain Division. Paul deployed to Iraq in 2005. His company combined with various other Battalion assets worked directly with the Iraqi Army. Paul retired in 2007 as the HHC First Sergeant. His many awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd), Army Commendation Medal (8th) and dozens more. Upon his retirement Paul completed his BS in Business, Management and Economics and earned his MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship. Paul has been an active member of the CVMA and he has also been making home brew beer for many years and is working to start his own small local brewery. Paul volunteers with his local Volunteer Fire Department. Paul learned about VCR from his long-time friend SGM (Ret) Keith Helfrich, who has been involved with VCR for many years. Paul is excited to be a part of the VCR program and honored to pilot a sidecar. “It will be a great experience to meet and spend time with other fellow Veterans, and help each other heal.” That is the one thing that most Veterans miss the most, the camaraderie. |