By Charlie Aftel (#0010) and Oliver Wu (#0457)

On July 2, we had the chance to sit down with Staff Sergeant Andrew Gilbert of the United States Marine Corps. He has been helping Wong County during the Boys’ State program this year, and was also the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge during the week.

Staff Sergeant Gilbert attended Boys State in New Jersey in 2011. Growing up in Northern New Jersey, he was very active in his community by playing sports, being a volunteer firefighter and being a member of the Boys Scouts. His community involvement, education, and dedication to service led to him joining the Marines right out of high school.

In the Marines, Staff Sergeant Gilbert is a C-130 safety and survival systems mechanic. He works on air conditioning, heating, pressurization, air to air refueling, troop transfer and medevac, among other tasks. He has been deployed twice to Europe and Africa. He has been in the Marines for the past 12 years and is currently working for the 1st Marine Corps District.

‘Something that came inherently’

Staff Sergeant Gilbert talked about why he joined the military. 

“The Marine Corps for me was something that came kind of inherently in a sense. I always knew I wanted to serve, I always knew I wanted to be part of a team, be part of something bigger than myself,” Gilbert said.

However, Gilbert said that it was his grandfather specifically who inspired him to join the Marines. 

“[My grandfather] had always embodied what leadership and manhood in so many different ways meant. He was big and tall and strong, but at the same time, he was an artist in his own right. The way that he spoke about the Marines, the way he interacted with the Marines; no matter when they joined, what they looked like or where they came from, if you were a Marine, you were his family,” said Gilbert. 

Staff Sergeant Gilbert’s grandfather served during the Korean War. By seeing his grandfather in the way that he did, Staff Sergeant Gilbert was drawn to the Marines to join the camaraderie his grandfather was a part of. 

‘Lead with firmness and fairness’

When it comes to New York Boys State, Staff Sergeant Gilbert noted the high level of camaraderie among the boys. He says that this sense of community and supportiveness comes from the heavy involvement of the Marines, veterans, and American Legion in the program. 

“You boys are all so proud to be in the city you’re in and the county you’re in, and the Marines have helped you come up with the cadences you call, the city chants, the county chants and the mottos that you all have,” Gilbert said. “The pride that you all have in your cities is indicative of a bright future of public servants going forward.” 

For Staff Sergeant Gilbert, the wide diversity of New York State also strengthens the program, bringing a greater level of inclusion than in other states. 

“There is such a greater level of diversity here at New York Boys State, and to see all you boys come together and have the pride that you do in your counties and in your cities, and work so well together truly embodies the Boys State alma mater.”

Staff Sergeant Gilbert hopes that, regardless of future career path, the Boys Staters take away lessons in leadership and accountability.

“My biggest piece of advice is lead with firmness and fairness, but lead with empathy and kindness and serve those around you. You never know what people around you are going through and you never know how what you say will affect those around you.”

Staff Sergeant Gilbert plans on returning to Boys State for the three years he will be with the 1st District and is determined for the Marines to win the basketball tournament next year.