MOUNT ROLLAND TRAINING SITE, Senegal –
Name: Sgt. 1st Class Darby Alberts
Military Specialty: Technical Engineer
Years of Service: 19
Unit: Recruiting and Retention Battalion
Deployments:1991, Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia 150th ATC.
1999, Tulsa Bosnia, 111th ATC
Previous Senegal Trips: 2015 Demining range
Hometown: S. Burlington, Vt.
Current Town: Jericho, Vt.
High School/Graduation Year: 1988
Q. Why did you join the Vermont National Guard?
A. I was getting out of the Marine Reserves and wanted to continue to serve.
Q. What do you do in the Vermont National Guard?
A. I recently joined the Recruiting and Retention Battalion as a recruiting and retention NCO, but I was a Technical Engineer in Detachment 1 Garrison Support Command.
Q. What do you do for your full-time job?
A. I’m a recruiter for the Vermont Army National Guard.
Q. What do you think is the greatest benefit of being in the National Guard?
A. I enjoy being part of an organization that supports our community and having a second family.
Q. How has being a National Guard member benefited you in your local community and job?
A. Being a National Guard member has given me job opportunities and training that I otherwise wouldn’t have.
Q. What is your most memorable military moment?
A. Coming home from Desert Storm. The support we received was unforgettable.
Q. How long have you lived in Vermont?
A. 48 yrs
Q. What is your favorite aspect of living or working where you do?
A. I like the feeling of community and safety for raising my family. I also enjoy the different seasons, it makes life more unpredictable.
Q. What has surprised you about the Vermont National Guard?
A. The professionalism that I’ve seen over the years.
Q. What is your favorite part about serving in the VT National Guard?
A. I enjoy meeting new people from around the country/world while serving at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site.
Q. How many push-ups did you get on your last physical fitness test?
A. 56
Q. What made you volunteer for this Senegal Mission?
A. I enjoy the people and cuisine of Senegal.
Q. Is this your first time here going to Senegal? If yes, what are you looking forward to?
A. My previous mission was to design and build a humanitarian demining range.
Q. What is your mission in Senegal?
A. For this mission I have drawn up a site plan and will be laying out the project when we get there. I will also keep track throughout the project to ensure it is built to our plans.
Q. Why do you think your mission in Senegal is important?
A. This strengthens our bonds with the Senegalese. This mission will also provide a necessary training facility that will be utilized not only by the Senegalese Army, but many other allies.
Q. What do you want to take away from this trip?
A. Being able to pull together people from multiple units from around Vermont and Senegal to complete a mission that can be difficult with limited amount of support.
Q. How do you think this mission helps the Vermont National Guard?
A. This mission as well as others we’ve done just shows how capable the Vermont National Guard is.
Q. How do you feel about being able to train with the Senegal Army?
A. I’m excited to work with them again, they are very friendly and curious about Americans. It is always interesting to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
Q. What are some differences between Senegal and Vermont?
A. To many to count, it would be easier to give you similarities.