NCMEDIC
01-28-2007, 01:25 AM
Navy’s Oldest Sailor Retires
Story Number: NNS070126-09
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_070125-N-7805K-002.jpg
Release Date: 1/26/2007 4:04:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Shaun Knittel, Naval Support Activity Naples Public Affairs
NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Master Chief Musician Douglas D. Forziati, the oldest active duty enlisted member of the Navy and a career musician, retired from active duty Jan. 25.
Forziati, 64, represented the Navy for 30 years and reminisced about a career he describes as some of the best years of his life.
“Camaraderie is something I’m going to miss,” admits Forziati. “We all get along wonderfully.”
Forziati began playing the trumpet at age 9 in Springfield, Mass. When he entered junior high school, the aspiring musician practiced with his mentor, Jack Kowal. After graduating from high school, Forziati was turned on to the Navy music program by Kowal. That was the first Forziati had heard of the opportunity that Kowal described as “the best thing going for musicians.”
In Dec. 1960, Forziati enlisted in the Navy as a trumpet player and toured with bands in Japan and San Diego before he was honorably discharged in 1964.
Forziati took a 17-year hiatus from the Navy and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Westfield State College in Westfield, Mass., and pursued a music career.
In 1981, Forziati was playing trumpet in a road band in Cape Cod, Mass., when he was approached by Chief Musician Mike Mitchell, one of the band’s admirers and -- at the time -- the chief detailer for Navy musicians. Despite being 38, older than the cutoff age for active duty enlistment of 35, his four years of previous service allowed a waiver to permit Forziati to return to the Navy band. In 1981, the musician reported to the Atlantic Fleet Band in Norfolk, Va.
After completing advanced training at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk in 1985, Forziati was stationed in Naples for the first time, when he was assigned to the Commander-in-Chief South Band, which now performs as the Allied Forces Band.
Forziati became a chief musician when he returned to the Armed Forces School of Music as an instructor.
“I love teaching and mentoring,” said Forziati. “I’m a good cop, when possible. Warm fuzzies are always better than disciplinary counseling.”
Returning to Naples in 1998 for a second stint, Forziati served as command master chief and assistant director for the 6th Fleet Band and earned a master's degree in counseling from Norfolk State University
before assuming his current position with the Allied Forces Band.
As a mentor and command master chief, Forziati believes in assisting junior personal with all matters concerning career and family goals, he said, adopting the motto, “Happy at home, happy at work.” As an example of his motto in action, those around Forziati need only look to his successful career and 21-year-marriage, his seven children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“My love for the Navy comes from my love of people,” said Forziati. “During my career, I was mindful of leading by example and being approachable. My office was always open to anyone for advice.”
For related news, visit the Naval Support Activity Naples Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nsanaples (http://www.news.navy.mil/local/nsanaples/)/.
Story Number: NNS070126-09
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_070125-N-7805K-002.jpg
Release Date: 1/26/2007 4:04:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Shaun Knittel, Naval Support Activity Naples Public Affairs
NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Master Chief Musician Douglas D. Forziati, the oldest active duty enlisted member of the Navy and a career musician, retired from active duty Jan. 25.
Forziati, 64, represented the Navy for 30 years and reminisced about a career he describes as some of the best years of his life.
“Camaraderie is something I’m going to miss,” admits Forziati. “We all get along wonderfully.”
Forziati began playing the trumpet at age 9 in Springfield, Mass. When he entered junior high school, the aspiring musician practiced with his mentor, Jack Kowal. After graduating from high school, Forziati was turned on to the Navy music program by Kowal. That was the first Forziati had heard of the opportunity that Kowal described as “the best thing going for musicians.”
In Dec. 1960, Forziati enlisted in the Navy as a trumpet player and toured with bands in Japan and San Diego before he was honorably discharged in 1964.
Forziati took a 17-year hiatus from the Navy and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Westfield State College in Westfield, Mass., and pursued a music career.
In 1981, Forziati was playing trumpet in a road band in Cape Cod, Mass., when he was approached by Chief Musician Mike Mitchell, one of the band’s admirers and -- at the time -- the chief detailer for Navy musicians. Despite being 38, older than the cutoff age for active duty enlistment of 35, his four years of previous service allowed a waiver to permit Forziati to return to the Navy band. In 1981, the musician reported to the Atlantic Fleet Band in Norfolk, Va.
After completing advanced training at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk in 1985, Forziati was stationed in Naples for the first time, when he was assigned to the Commander-in-Chief South Band, which now performs as the Allied Forces Band.
Forziati became a chief musician when he returned to the Armed Forces School of Music as an instructor.
“I love teaching and mentoring,” said Forziati. “I’m a good cop, when possible. Warm fuzzies are always better than disciplinary counseling.”
Returning to Naples in 1998 for a second stint, Forziati served as command master chief and assistant director for the 6th Fleet Band and earned a master's degree in counseling from Norfolk State University
before assuming his current position with the Allied Forces Band.
As a mentor and command master chief, Forziati believes in assisting junior personal with all matters concerning career and family goals, he said, adopting the motto, “Happy at home, happy at work.” As an example of his motto in action, those around Forziati need only look to his successful career and 21-year-marriage, his seven children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“My love for the Navy comes from my love of people,” said Forziati. “During my career, I was mindful of leading by example and being approachable. My office was always open to anyone for advice.”
For related news, visit the Naval Support Activity Naples Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nsanaples (http://www.news.navy.mil/local/nsanaples/)/.