Photo By Lance Cpl. Rose Spencer | U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gabriel R. Gilbert, an expeditionary firefighting and...... read more read more
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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gabriel Gilbert was recently selected as the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River Go-Getter of the month for May. He serves as an expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Originally from Falmouth, Kentucky, Gilbert enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2023, just two weeks after graduating high school. Gilbert comes from a long line of military service. He is a fifth-generation service member and grew up around the firehouse – the two things which fueled his desire to serve.
“A lot of people in my family were in the military… but joining the Marine Corps just felt right,” said Gilbert. “I didn’t want to join the Air Force, Navy or Army. I wanted to do something different.”
His family was initially hesitant about his decision.
“They didn’t want me to go,” said Gilbert. “They had the mindset of, ‘You’re going to end up in Vietnam,’ and they worried about the danger. But I have always wanted to serve.”
Gilbert’s military occupational specialty (MOS) is 7051, expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialist. Marines in this MOS primarily respond to aircraft-related emergencies and airfield incidents, as well as calls involving airfield hangars and other infrastructure. They also conduct joint operations with local fire departments during structural fires or patient transfers, though their primary focus remains aircraft safety.
Currently Gilbert, as the most experienced lance corporal in his shop, assists in the training section. His responsibilities include supporting with certifications, training and readiness standards, verifying personnel qualifications in basic firefighting, managing annual physicals, and ensuring all truck positions are staffed and current.
Gilbert’s specific job in his truck crew is turret operator. Turret operators also stand by during fuel operations to mitigate potential fire hazards. Truck crews are also composed of a driver, hand line operator, and a rescue Marine. During emergencies, Gilbert maintains direct communication with the incident commander, relays critical updates, and coordinates with aircraft personnel. Gilbert emphasized his favorite part of the job is the camaraderie.
“You’re either working 48-hour or 72-hour shifts, so you’re basically living together,” he said. “You grow with the people around you. That tight-knit bond is something you don’t get in every shop.”
The station recently transitioned from a three-section to a two-section duty rotation, meaning crews worked 72 hours on and 24 hours off. Gilbert said the increased tempo brought the teams closer together.
Gilbert’s motivation stems from both personal drive and those around him.
“I’m a very competitive person, so seeing others strive to get better pushes me to do the same,” he said. “But honestly, my family is a huge part of it. I don’t want to let anyone down. I want to show my dad, I can be just as good as him, if not better.”
Gilbert’s long-term goal is to become a warrant officer, and he’s already developing the necessary leadership mindset.
“As a senior lance, I’ve been trying to take on more leadership early so I can learn now,” he said. “The hardest part is realizing that not everyone works the same. You have to figure out how to come together.”
Gilbert considers completing the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting School his proudest achievement.
“I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter,” he said. “Getting the job was a proud moment.”
The school typically lasts three months, though wait times can extend the process. To him the most difficult portion was earning his emergency medical responder and CPR certifications in just two weeks.
“I’m not great at studying, so I really had to lock in,” he said. “But in the end, I passed...”
He credits his father and Marine mentors for helping shape who he is today.
“I obviously look up to my dad, but I also look up to the Marines I’ve worked with,” said Gilbert. “Without them, I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have now.”
Gilbert believes in passing on what he learns. He looks ahead to returning to the schoolhouse someday as an instructor.
“After I finish studying, I’ll go to the whiteboard in our classroom and write stuff down for everyone,” he said. “I want to pass everything I’ve learned to those around me. Not just to make individuals better, but to make the whole shop stronger.”
Lastly Gilbert, who also strives to set a positive example for his two younger sisters, ages 17 and 9, shares some advice.
“If I could tell my younger self anything it’d be to start sooner,” he said. Don’t wait to chase your goals and always keep an open mind… every leader runs things differently. Take the best from all of them and apply it to yourself.”
| Date Taken: | 04.15.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2025 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 496449 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | FALMOUTH, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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