SAN DIEGO - Seaman Apprentice Asia Blaylock, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, at Naval Air Station North Island, California.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Blaylock graduated from Young Women’s Leadership Academy in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fort Worth.
“I've always taken a leadership role to help my family feel proud, which allowed me to take the step to serve,” Blaylock said.
Blaylock joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Blaylock serves as a personnel specialist.
“My stepdad and grandfather served in the military, and I wanted to be an example for the next generation,” Blaylock said. “My stepdad was a Seabee in the Navy and helped our family get out of our living situation and encouraged me to have a better lifestyle for myself. I would say the same thing for my grandfather. Even though he was a Marine, he encouraged me to go into the Navy as well and to be a hard worker so that the next generation doesn’t have to.”
The “Eightballers” of HSC-8 fly and maintain the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s versatile and most advanced rotary wing maritime platform. Their missions include airborne mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, combat logistics and medevac.
Blaylock has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is winning a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal yesterday as a seaman apprentice,” Blaylock said. “Looking back, it's hard to believe that I took this leap of faith and made the best of it.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
“Serving in the Navy gives my niece a female role model,” Blaylock said. “It shows them that they have the ability to achieve their dreams no matter what the circumstances are.”
Blaylock is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family as a whole for pouring into me and believing in me,” Blaylock said.