Glenn Gerbrand, STS1(SS)

Glenn enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1973. He completed his recruit training in San Diego, California. He then attended Basic Electronic & Electrical and Sonar schools while in San Diego before reporting to USS JOHN C. CALHOUN (SSBN 630) Blue crew in December 1973.

he went on to complete two deterrent patrols and qualified in submarines while serving aboard CALHOUN.

Glenn returned to San Diego for Intermediate Electronics and C Schools, after which he reported aboard USS GEORGE C. MARSHALL (SSBN 654) Blue in the fall of 1975 as a second class petty officer. He completed six additional deterrent patrols aboard MARSHALL before being transferred to shore duty in San Diego.

In San Diego, Glenn served as in instructor in Sonar Electronics Intermediate and C schools. He was transferred to curriculum development duties and re-wrote several class Instructor Guides as well as evaluated Instructor’s performance. He was then assigned to Assistant Submarine Training Officer and was responsible for scheduling all submarine sonar courses.

After nearly eight years of service, Glenn left the Navy in April 1981.

He began his civilian career in San Diego for H. M. Electronics, as a Customer Service Technician. H.M. Electronics provided wireless microphones to many top performers as well as NFL referees. While working in this position, Glenn wrote operations manuals for all products, and wrote test and quality check procedures for all products. Glenn left H. M. Electronics and became microcomputer technician for Grossmont Union High School District. Here, he repaired and maintained all microcomputers in the school system and installed classroom networks in several of the schools.

Glenn left Grossmont to become an engineering technician for Naval Undersea Warfare and Engineering Station in San Diego. He installed and operated in air and in water vehicle tracking packages on many aircraft, ships, and submarines. Additionally, he performed underway synchronizing of tracking pingers enabling them to be tracked on an instrumented range off the coast of San Clemente Island.

He left NUWES to work for DynCorp, a Navy civilian contractor. He started in July 1986 and is still employed there as Lead Technician, responsible for overall operation and maintenance of all range tracking systems and radio communications.

In his spare time, Glenn is a licensed private pilot, FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operator (Extra Class, call sign WM6B), a licensed Pyrotechnic Operator by the State of California. Glenn has worked on or been operator in charge of over 400 pyrotechnic displays, including all 3 Super Bowls in San Diego, and Super Bowl 35 in Tampa, where he worked closely with N*Sync and Aerosmith on stage effects. He has bowled part time on the Professional Bowlers Tour, having bowled 17 perfect 300 games, and has one local title winning from the fifth qualifying position averaging 245 per game.

Glenn married Elaine Stewart in 1991. They had dated in school and reacquainted during a 20 year high school reunion, leading to eventual marriage. Glenn has a daughter, Jennifer, from his first marriage. She is now 27 years old.

Glenn is a member of the JCC Veterans Association and is currently serving as our Vice President. He has volunteered to to host the next reunion in San Diego in the summer of 2006.