Adapt and Conquer

By MCSA Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

You know Semper Fi, but how about Semper Gumby? In the Navy, this phrase means to always be flexible, a reference to the American clay animation character from the 1950s that could change shape and stretch at will. With the ever evolving nature of Navy life, Sailors are often asked to remain flexible and to be ready to adapt to any changes. For Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Kyle M. Drummond, this concept is nothing new.

Before joining the Navy, Drummond felt he wasn’t making the impact in his life which he had envisioned, and he knew he needed a change. “You can’t keep sitting on the fence,” encouraged his father, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Andrew K. Drummond. “Sometimes you just have to jump.”

When Drummond made the leap, he originally leaned towards becoming a Seabee or a Mass Communication Specialist. At the time, those options were not available to him, but he decided on becoming a Machinery Repairman (MR) since the skills would help him in long run after the Navy.

Machine Repairmen manufacture parts according to blueprints using lathes, mills, drill presses and other specialized machines. In order to do that, they must read and interpret the blueprints or schematics provided for the job. They are also the locksmiths and run the engraving shop onboard a ship or a base.

But being an MR isn’t just following the blueprint. “In other cases, we have to create our own solution to the issue that is being encountered by making custom wrenches, flanges, crow’s feet, cleat fairing parts, resurfacing, drilling, tapping, and rethreading,” said Drummond. “As an MR, you actually have to be very creative and flexible with your solutions, and there are hundreds of different ways you can accomplish these jobs, so part of evolving as an MR is to find and hone reliable practices to common jobs you encounter to expedite the process.”

After serving as an MR for four years, Drummond is used to being adaptable and finding inventive ways to fulfill job requests. However, his assignment aboard NAS Sigonella brought a new challenge: working outside his rate.

Drummond’s orders initially assigned him to work in the base Public Affairs Office (PAO), but he didn’t let that faze him. He even prepared himself by going out and purchasing a camera so he could gain the necessary experience to contribute to the public affairs mission.

“I am by far not the greatest of photographers, but I have enjoyed learning and seeing the improvements I have made,” added Drummond. “It has reignited my interest in photography. Now I just need to become better at editing.”

But Drummond would have to bend like Gumby once again. At the start of the year, he received news that he was transferring to the Safety Department to again work outside of his rate. He was up for the challenge.

As it was with his transfer to the PAO, Drummond faced a huge difference between his old and new jobs, although there is no doubt that safety touches every department and Navy rate in some way or another.

“There are some aspects to safety that directly correlate to the environment in which MR’s operate, such as Hazardous Conditions trainings, but I have had to supplement training by purchasing books and watching YouTube,” explained Drummond.

Working in the Safety department since February, Drummond adapted and retrained for his new position with vigor and self-motivation.

“I have had to learn as I go with both positions, trying to make both functional in a way I can manage while learning about the responsibilities and tasks as they arise,” continued Drummond.

This has made things tricky for Drummond, but it also has pushed him to communicate more and learn from those with more experience, which is something he believes both positions have helped reinforce in his career thus far.

His new role in the Safety Department requires a lot of responsibilities, as he is the approving official for the government purchase card and the vehicle safety leading petty officer. He helps coordinate the Basic and Advance Rider Course, tracks students in Enterprise Safety Applications Management Systems (ESAMS), ensures the Rider Course coaches have the materials to properly conduct the classes and maintains the conditions of the bikes.

“I’m involved in making sure that our money is being spent correctly and on the things we need,” said Drummond. “I also do the briefing for all incoming personnel on driving in Sicily and creating accounts in ESAMS for those who fall under the NAS Sigonella Unit Identification Code. I also assist with the Heat Stress program shared between the hospital and Safety.”

Although working in a different rate has been difficult, Drummond says he enjoys the challenge.

“I jumped into the role and have learned a lot since and expect to learn more as I continue in this department,” concluded Drummond. Semper Gumby, indeed.