Published: October 07, 2008 12:04 am            

CITY OF TONAWANDA: Former middle school student talks about Navy experience

Contrary to the perception the average seventh-grader probably holds, the U.S. Navy isn’t all about shooting giant guns affixed to a large ship.

Much of being in the Navy is actually focused on the small things. It’s about attention to detail, like the proper way to fold your clothes and how to iron your uniform without missing a crease, Gunners Mate Keith Gilbert told Gineen Frenning’s seventh-grade social studies classes on Monday at Tonawanda Middle School.

“The biggest thing in the Navy is attention to detail,” said Gilbert, 20. That’s largely because glancing over the smallest problem — a pinhole-sized steam leak, for example — on a ship can prove disastrous, Gilbert said.

Gilbert — who is referred to as “GM Gilbert” on the ship — spoke to the pupils about the many benefits of being in the Navy, which provides money for college through the Montgomery GI Bill, as well as plenty of opportunities to explore ports around the world.

“You make some of the most genuine friends,” he added. “If anything ever happens to your ship, you’ve got to count on that person and that person has to be able to count on you.”

As an example, Gilbert cited the 2000 suicide bombing attack on the USS Cole, which blasted a 40-foot hole into the ship and killed 17 sailors. Although the fact that any sailor died was tragic, the incident could have been worse were it not for the superior training sailors receive, Gilbert said.

Gilbert also talked about the Sailor’s Creed, the Navy’s equivalent to the Pledge of Allegiance, which all sailors memorize during boot camp. It states, in part: “...I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and all who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with honor, courage and commitment...”

“That’s our pledge to the Navy, our pledge to you guys and our pledge to the country,” Gilbert said.

In addition to the Sailor’s Creed, seamen must know all of the different uniforms they have to wear, depending on the occasion. “In the Navy, we have too many uniforms,” Gilbert told the students while showing them the different kinds. There’s the “BDUs,” or battle dress uniform, more commonly known as fatigues; dress blues; dress whites; working uniform; and coveralls, which most sailors wear on the ship.

“I thought it was cool. I liked the uniforms,” said Leah Sidote, who was practically swimming in Gilbert’s blue coveralls. “It’s comfortable,” she said.

Each uniform also has its own unique headgear. Of the traditional white sailor’s cap, Gilbert said, “We call that the ‘Dixie Cup,’ the ‘dog bowl’ or the ‘white ugly thing.’”

Each year, Frenning has invited a native Tonawandan serving in the armed forces to speak to her classes about a particular military branch. The presentations are usually timed around Veterans Day. This year’s was early because Gilbert happened to be on leave.

Gilbert said it means a lot to him to be able to share his experiences with the students. He took particular delight in seeing their reactions to the different uniforms. “The Navy has done nothing but good things for me,” he said.

Stationed in Great Lakes, Ill., Gilbert will soon head to Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, in Norfolk, Va. That unit is tentatively scheduled to go to Afghanistan, he said.

It was also nice for Gilbert to return to Tonawanda Middle and see Frenning, his former social studies teacher. “He was very good at social studies,” Frenning said. “He was cute then. Now he’s a handsome sailor.”

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.