SAN DIEGO - Seaman Isaiah Taylor, a native of Riverside, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Taylor graduated from Arlington High School in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Riverside.
“The most important lesson I learned back at home was the importance of working with each other,” Taylor said. “It taught me that work can be easy if you work as a team. I’ve had to run the whole galley – cooking and cleaning – and it’s a whole lot easier when you work as a team.”
Taylor joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Taylor serves as a culinary specialist.
“I wanted to serve and travel and work with all types of people,” Taylor said. “The military can be fun, challenging and rewarding. I have so many family members who were in the Navy and the Army, but I was biased toward the Navy. You travel more in the Navy than any other branch.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
“The might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Taylor has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Receiving the commanding officer’s challenge coin means the most to me because of the hard work I put in on deployment,” Taylor said. “That means more to me than receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. I was given the coin because I was one of the hardest workers in the galleys. I was also Blue Jacket of the Quarter for my division in September 2025, Blue Jacket of the Quarter for the ship in November 2025 and was nominated for Blue Jacket of the Year. I was very proud of those awards as well. That was a great experience.”
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 allows me to help others bond together and lets me take care of my family,” Taylor said. “It’s been a tremendous blessing, and I love this job. I give my all every day because this job deserves it.”
Taylor is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My dad, Conrado, and my mom, Manuela, gave me the tools, mentality and physicality to excel in the military,” Taylor said. “I get all my traits from my family and uphold my family’s name to the highest standards.”
Taylor keeps a positive attitude and enjoys going to work every day.
“I genuinely enjoy working every day because I love this job and the people I meet,” Taylor said. “I go out of my way to do the tasks no one wants to do to support this team because I love helping people. That’s what I was raised to do. The military deserves all the effort I can give. It’s been a beautiful experience, and I’m blessed to be on this journey and become a part of history.”