Navy’s oldest Sailor, musician Forziati retires from NSA Naples
Commander, Navy Region Europe
Navy's oldest Sailor,
musician Forziati retires from NSA Naples
By MC2(AW) Shaun Knittel
Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy
Until Jan. 25, Master Chief Musician Douglas D. Forziati was the oldest Sailor in the Navy. Admiral Henry Ulrich, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and long time friend of Forziati, spoke at the retirement ceremony held at Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy.
As a career Navy musician Forziati has been around the world and back again, representing the U.S. Navy for 30 years. That all changed when the master chief traded in his uniform for civilian attire, retiring from the Navy and reminiscing 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.”
So how does one become not only the oldest enlisted Sailor but the oldest active duty enlisted member of the United States Navy? At 64 years of age, Forziati is not bashful about telling his Navy story.
Forziati began playing the trumpet at age nine 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 December of 1960, Forziati enlisted in the Navy as a trumpet player and toured with bands in Japan and San Diego, California before he was honorably discharged in 1964.
Forziati took a 17-year hiatus from the Navy. While playing the civilian gig, Forziati earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Westfield State College, in Westfield, Mass., and continued to peruse 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. Coincidentally, Mitchell was the current chief detailer for Navy musicians. At the time, Forziati was 38. Age 35 is the cutoff date for active duty enlistment, however, if you add the four years of previously served time, that gave Forziati the “loophole” he needed to join the Navy band once again. In 1981, the seasoned 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, Italy for the first time, when he was assigned to the CINCSOUTH Band (now the Allied Forces Band).
Forziati became a Navy 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, Italy in 1998 for a second stint, Forziati served as Command Master Chief and Assistant Director for the Sixth Fleet Band. Taking advantage of the Navy education benefits, he said, Forziati earned a masters degree in counseling from Norfolk State University before assuming his current position as the Command Master Chief and Assistant Director for 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 to Sally, with whom he has seven children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Forziati’s retirement ceremony was held yesterday at JFC. Although the Navy had to say goodbye to a 30-year, positive leader and mentor, it’s safe to say that Forziati left a lasting impression on the Sailors who served alongside him.
“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.”
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