Brighton grad sees the world from the seas
By Jim Totten • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • September 25, 2008
Buzz up! He's sailed the seven seas, rode through typhoon waves and visited foreign countries.
Along the way, Genoa Township resident David Gnadt developed a pride in the U.S. Navy and a confidence in his abilities to fix and maintain air conditioners, refrigerators or oversee a ship's propulsion unit or main engine. He's also been paid and taken college courses.
It sounds like something the U.S. Navy would say to attract new recruits, and the 2002 Brighton High School graduate wouldn't mind if they used his story. He loves the Navy and plans to serve 20 years and retire from the military.
"I've had the best six years of my life," said Gnadt, who returned home this month after six years on a ship. He served on the USS Juneau, an amphibious transport; and the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier.
Considering how he feels about the Navy, the 24-year-old resident's next assignment should be relatively easy. He will serve three years as a Navy recruiter in Howell.
"Having grown up here, I can relate to some of the kids here," he said.
Gnadt said the Navy has trained him well, and he's had some great fun visiting 12 countries, including Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.
While stationed in Japan, he met a young Japanese woman and later married her. He and his wife, Yukiko, have a 14-month-old girl, Emma.
He said he has $75,000 in savings for college, which he plans to start attending to earn his bachelor's degree. He wants to attend officer candidate school and become a naval officer.
Gnadt said the Navy has fulfilled all the promises "they made to me."
"The Navy is a great way to go," he said.
While a senior in high school, Gnadt said he wanted to do something different than anyone else when he graduated. He said only three people he knows went into the military from his 500 classmates who graduated in 2002. He and another boy went into the Navy, and a girl went into the Air Force.
Once he became adjusted to the routine on a ship, Gnadt said he had no problems.
"It's a high-tempo, high-pressure environment," he said.
He's been trained to oversee the ship's air conditioning and refrigeration, but he also helped with steering, anchors, propulsion and main engine.
Gnadt said it was exciting to serve on the USS Kitty Hawk, the last of the conventionally powered carriers. A boiler generates its power. He said the rest of the carriers are nuclear-powered.
The Kitty Hawk was commissioned in 1961 and has been used in numerous military engagements and exercises. Gnadt served on the Kitty Hawk on its final voyage across the Pacific Ocean; it's in the process of being decommissioned.
The ship is 1,069 feet along, 145 feet wide and can hold up to 6,000 personnel members. He said the ship doesn't feel crowded at all, but it comes alive during exercises when everyone takes their stations.
"People come out of all the doors," he said.
His service on the carrier left him with lasting memories, including one occasion in which the ship sailed through the end of a typhoon and was cruising through very rough waters. He and two other shipmates decided to watch the movie "The Perfect Storm."
He recalled sitting on a sofa, which slid to the right and then to the left, as they watched the movie.
"It's just fun, knowing my ship could take a pounding and could still keep going," he said.
Those rough waters took a toll on him, though. Gnadt said he usually does not get seasick, but he needed a shot that evening to ease his stomach.
Yvonne Gnadt, his mother, said she's noticed her son has changed since joining the Navy. She said he's more mature and disciplined.
"I'm very proud of him," she said.
She said her son handles change very easily, and he's done well in the Navy.
Gnadt said he's glad to be back home and is looking forward to recruiting.
When he thinks about the last six years on the high seas, he has no regrets.
"I wouldn't have done anything differently," he said.
