Emlenton man works aboard nuclear submarine
EMLENTON, Venango County — Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Zachary Gates is making his hometown proud.
Zach, as he's known at home, is part of America's “Silent Service,” the submarine branch of the Navy.
“My dad has always been the greatest role model in my life,” said Gates, who joined the Navy in 2017, inspired by his father's service in the same branch.
“He taught me that if you want something, you need to work for it. He told me to advance in your career, you need to constantly show effort and learn new things,” Gates said.
Gates has served on the USS Wyoming, one of the world's most advance nuclear-powered submarines, since September 2018. He was stationed in Virginia at the time, but is now in Georgia.
According to Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno of the Navy Office of Community Outreach, the submarine force is part of a large fleet of technically advanced vessels that are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world.
The submarines are a vital part of providing U.S. national security.
Gates is a torpedoman's mate, whose responsibilities include taking care of small arms and making sure they are clean and operable for service, setting up gun shoots for soldiers to practice and qualify them to stand watch, and loading and unloading torpedoes according to maintenance due dates.
“Serving in the Navy means Gates is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America's focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the national defense strategy,” Moreno said.
Gates said the job stability and benefits for his family were among the reasons he joined the Navy.
“Serving in the Navy provides me with a sense of pride as I serve my country. I know I'm making a difference, even if others don't fully know what I'm doing,” he said. “It's about glory for the country, not glory for me.”
Gates is a 2010 graduate of Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District. He said his relationship with his father and his experiences in high school laid a firm foundation for the man he has become today.As a student, he participated in cross country, track and basketball, all of which taught him the values of dedication and teamwork.“You don't think of how that will affect your life in the future, but when I think about it now, playing sports made a difference,” Gates said. “You need to have teamwork and be able to work through issues, especially when you are on a submarine from three to six months. Because of those values I learned early in life, my fellow shipmates and I work well together.”Gates was also interested in the history of military service.“I remember learning about how young men went off to war in Mr. (Bruce) Beichner's and Mr. (Scott) Austin's classes. School helps you to understand those things,” he said.Austin still teaches social studies at the junior/senior high school.“I recall he was a good student in my U.S. history classes and was very interested in history,” Austin said. “He always asked questions and was very involved in discussions.”While Gates serves his country at sea, his wife, Kara, and daughters, Kina and Bria, are supporting his mission at home.Gates is married to the former Kara Fulmer, also a 2010 A-C Valley graduate. He said he appreciates his wife's strength and courage.She spends months without Gates when he is out to sea. However, he was able to be with Kara in June when she gave birth to their twin girls. He said sometimes it is months until they can communicate because of the nature and secrecy of his position.But she knows how important his job is and that he will come home to her and his four girls with stories of his adventurous voyages, he said.Because of the sacrifice required, Gates advises young men and women who are thinking about joining any branch of the military to carefully consider their decision.“There are many benefits to being a part of service to our country, but it is important to make sure it is something that you want to do and commit to,” he said. “Don't make the commitment if you can't see it through.”It is not a decision to be considered lightly, but it is one he has found rewarding, he said.“The values of hard work that you acquire in a small hometown stick with you for life,” Gates said.
