U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt
PEARL HARBOR –An Augusta, Georgia, native and 2014 Lakeside High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Taylor Grygo has served in the Navy for three years and works as a Navy hospital corpsman serving within the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. As a Navy hospital corpsman, Grygo is responsible for doing many of the things that civilian nurses do like EKGs, vitals, shots and bloodwork, but it is for Navy sailors so they can deploy and do their jobs.
Grygo credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Augusta.
“I worked a lot of customer service before the Navy, so I try to make my patients laugh because our jobs can be difficult," said Grygo. "I try to provide a positive experience so that my patients can feel human again.”
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Grygo is serving in a part of the world 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.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies. The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Grygo is most proud of earning Sailor of the Year for 2018, but is most proud of the fact being a work center supervisor.
“I like helping people find the answers they seek and learning how to become better,” said Grygo.
Although, serving in the Navy is a not a family tradition, she says she is honored to maybe beginning one.
“My cousin became interested in the Navy after I joined," said Grygo. "In fact, I've tried to get so many people from my small town to join. It's good to get out and meet new people. The Navy is a great path to doing that.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Grygo and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I love being a corpsman, and it's an honor being stationed at Pearl Harbor," said Grygo. "The history makes me emotional. I'm stationed at a place where thousands have been before me. Many lives were lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Many have built lives here despite that. I'm super proud to be in paradise and such a historical place for our country."