SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryant Miller, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Miller graduated from Walter Hines Page High School in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Greensboro.
“Growing up, I learned that when bad things happen, you need to keep your head up,” Miller said. “I lost so many loved ones in the short lifetime I’ve had, and it’s OK to be sad for a bit, but not too long. You have to keep moving forward. I’m a positive person and that helps a lot on deployments.”
Miller joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Miller serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“My mom inspired me to join the Navy,” Miller said. “She wanted me to have so much more in life. My aunt is in the Navy and my mom saw how well she was doing. She wanted that for me, too.”
Members of HSM 35 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Miller has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of receiving my first Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) for my work during our most recent deployment,” Miller said. “It made me feel so good because aircrew survival equipmentmen don’t normally receive NAMs on deployment. It made me feel so seen and heard. I’m so glad all the work I did every day paid off.”
Miller serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means my family will always be OK,” Miller said. “I’m a big family person, and the Navy helped me make sure we are good. The Navy has helped me become financially stable and allows me to help my family.”
Miller is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Ashley, and God,” Miller added. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. I pray I will forever stay different.”