SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Taylor Humphreys, a native of Colonial Heights, Virginia, wanted to join the Navy to pay for college and carry on the family history of service.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, four years later, Humphreys serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“On this ship there is never a dull moment, it is always busy,” said Humphreys. “I have had a lot of opportunites to travel, meet new people and see different cultures.”
Humphreys, a 2012 graduate of Colonial Heights High School, is an aviation support equipment technician aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I supervise a team of 15 sailors who maintain support equipment that allows the aircraft onboard the ship to perform their mission,” said Humphreys.
Humphreys credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Colonial Heights.
“Growing up I learned the value of teamwork and that has carried over into my naval career," said Humphreys. "I apply my team building skills in my daily tasks.”
Essex is designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard Essex. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked.
“I get to learn a lot from the Marines onboard," said Humphreys. "They have a different way of performing the same tasks, so we get to learn how to perform tasks in different ways.”
Serving in the Navy means Humphreys is part of a 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.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, 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.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Humphreys is most proud of being meritoriously advanced to petty officer third class.
“It allowed me to perform duties as a supervisor and in a different leadership role,” said Humphreys. “I was honored to set an example for my fellow shipmates that going above and beyond pays off.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Humphreys and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means serving my country first, family second and getting to travel the world,” said Humphreys. “I have been able to utilize my tuition assistance to earn my degree in social work which also helps me in my daily job. The Navy has provided me with many opportuntities that I am grateful for. I am honored to serve.”
“On this ship there is never a dull moment, it is always busy,” said Humphreys. “I have had a lot of opportunites to travel, meet new people and see different cultures.”
Humphreys, a 2012 graduate of Colonial Heights High School, is an aviation support equipment technician aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I supervise a team of 15 sailors who maintain support equipment that allows the aircraft onboard the ship to perform their mission,” said Humphreys.
Humphreys credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Colonial Heights.
“Growing up I learned the value of teamwork and that has carried over into my naval career," said Humphreys. "I apply my team building skills in my daily tasks.”
Essex is designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard Essex. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked.
“I get to learn a lot from the Marines onboard," said Humphreys. "They have a different way of performing the same tasks, so we get to learn how to perform tasks in different ways.”
Serving in the Navy means Humphreys is part of a 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.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, 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.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Humphreys is most proud of being meritoriously advanced to petty officer third class.
“It allowed me to perform duties as a supervisor and in a different leadership role,” said Humphreys. “I was honored to set an example for my fellow shipmates that going above and beyond pays off.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Humphreys and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means serving my country first, family second and getting to travel the world,” said Humphreys. “I have been able to utilize my tuition assistance to earn my degree in social work which also helps me in my daily job. The Navy has provided me with many opportuntities that I am grateful for. I am honored to serve.”