Jim Gerbasi enlisted in the United States Navy in 1982 serving until 1990. Gerbasi had just turned 17, when he wanted to travel the world but needed something different with his life. On his own, he made the decision to join the military. His father was in the Air Force and his mother worked in Civil Service, also for the Air Force. So, he felt obligated to do something too.
Gerbasi was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, for both his first and second active-duty stations. For his first, he was attached to HS-11 Dragonslayers where he had to maintain a squadron of helicopters. His squadron was attached to the aircraft carrier USS America that was docked in Norfolk, Virginia. His second tour was where he worked on the S-3 aircraft.
Gerbasi was deployed on the USS America, spending time in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Indian Oceans, and the Persian Gulf. He got to visit places like Spain, England, France, Greece, India, Italy, Africa, Venezuela, and the US Virgin Islands.
Gerbasi worked from the ground up starting at E1 moving all the way up to E5. He was also recommended for LD or Warrant Officer School if he would have continued on in the military. Gerbasi worked on both structural and hydraulic repairs and maintenance on helicopters and jets on the USS America. He not only worked with oil leaks, hydraulics, and damage, but he also got to assist in takeoffs and landings onboard ships.
Gerbasi recalls, “One of my scariest moments while in the Persian Gulf. Our Commanding officer came over the loudspeaker and said, “General Quarters, this is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. Missiles inbound!” and the captain usually never does that. Here I am, 17 years old on the flightdeck as this was my General Quarters Station because we have to launch our aircraft to intercept the incoming missiles. I thought to myself, I could die today. But thankfully, we all did our jobs, and we were successful in countering the attack.”
Gerbasi also remembers, “We were flying to the Bahamas in a helicopter to do military training and I was onboard as an in-flight troubleshooter. All of a sudden, we blew a main oil line while in flight. I had alerted the pilot of this emergency, and he asked me, “Do I turn around and head back towards Key West? Do I land in water? Or do I keep going?” so I had to think fast! I asked him for a couple minutes and, to make a long story short, I was able to get up to the side of the rotor head and repair the leak while we were flying. For all of you that don’t know, if your rotor stops turning in a helicopter, they don’t glide very well. I received an award for my actions that day and I am still very proud of that today. I was also awarded what is called a CAP in the Navy (Command Advancement Promotion). I was automatically awarded my E-5 status.”
His parents knew his plans to join, but many of his friends were shocked by the news, “The day I enlisted was a very long day. I remember spending almost all day at the Meps Center where you do all your paperwork, testing, and physical. Then you get transported to wherever you are going for boot camp. I had to fly from Cleveland to San Diego. When enlistees arrive, it all begins. The drill instructors can be intimidating, shouting orders. Then I got my haircut and was issued clothes and bedding. There were many of us in the barracks. About 1 a.m. I finally had my bed made and got to sleep. At about 3:30 a.m., we awoke to sounds of trash cans being banged around which meant we had to get dressed, make our beds, and march to breakfast. Then training began.”
Gerbasi did get close with many of his workmates. He said, “When you work in such close quarters for 12-18 hours a day, 7 days a week, these people become your family.” He lost contact with most of his Navy friends, but social media was to reconnect him with some of his past friends.
He attended boot camp at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. Bootcamp was extremely tough, he said there were many times you had to reach to the bottom of yourself to determine what you are really capable of. He said there was a ton of calisthenics, running, and learning to follow orders. But, he did say that it was “a great opportunity to add structure to your life.” Later, stationed at the Naval Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee where he learned how to be an aircraft mechanic.
Gerbasi said “The military trains you to have good attention to detail and to do things right the first time which has really helped me in my current job today. They also teach you to be punctual and usually early for work, events, ect.”
Gerbasi promised his father that if he would sign for him to enlist in the military at the age of 17 that he would get his GED. He has also taken advantage of the military’s healthcare, education, and shopping at the Annex.
“Do It” is Gerbasi advice. He said “The training and job can be rigorous at times, but you will never have another job where you can say that you made a difference in the world while serving your country. You also have access to some of the best education and benefits offered anywhere. And if you stay in to retire after 20 years you can have a pension coming in every month, free healthcare and discounted shopping for the rest of your life. When you do pass, your funeral arrangements are taken care of also! I would have been only 37 years old when I could have retired, not too many people can do that in a regular job.”
