MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Franks, a native of San Angelo, Texas, serves with U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Rota, Spain.
Franks is a 2020 Lakeview High School graduate.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Angelo.
"Growing up in San Angelo taught me the value of hard work, humility and community," Franks said. "In a town where people look out for one another, I learned early on the importance of accountability, treating others with respect and staying grounded. These lessons have stayed with me throughout my naval career."
Franks joined the Navy five years ago.
"I joined the Navy to pursue greater opportunities and to fulfill a longstanding desire to serve my country," Franks said. "From a young age, I felt a strong sense of duty, and the Navy provided a meaningful way to turn that aspiration into reality. It has also offered me a structured path to grow professionally as an adult."
Today, Franks serves as a personnel specialist.
"My favorite aspect of being a personnel specialist in the Navy is knowing that my work directly supports sailors' readiness and quality of life," Franks said. "Whether it's ensuring accurate pay, processing orders or managing critical personnel actions, I take pride in being a reliable resource sailors can count on so they can continue to support the mission."
According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research.
NMRTC Rota serves as a force multiplier in Navy Medicine’s strategic global medical support mission throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East while also supporting operational readiness and maintaining a strategic repository of expertise at the Naval Hospital Rota Military Treatment Facility within the Iberian Peninsula.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.
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.
Franks has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"One of my proudest accomplishments in the Navy has been the opportunity to see the world through two deployments, each broadening my perspective culturally and sharpening my sense of purpose," Franks said. "Most notably, having a direct impact during operations in the Middle East, specifically supporting efforts related to the Houthi Rebel conflict, which reinforced the real-world significance of our mission and the role I play in advancing national security."
Franks can take pride in serving America through military service.
"Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than myself," Franks added. "It represents a life of purpose, discipline and continuous growth."