LEMOORE, Calif. - Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 1st Class Dylan Davis, this story has ties to North Augusta, South Carolina, where skills and values learned there are foundational to success in the Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink |
“Growing up in our small town taught me humility and to accept that there is always more to learn,” Davis said. “It’s helped so much in the Navy. Being humble, you realize that you’re not always going to be the smartest person in the room and that you can always learn from your junior sailors as you go on. You have to take everything day by day, because in the military, everything can change in an instant.”
Davis graduated from North Augusta High School in 2013.
Davis joined the Navy 10 years ago.
“I joined the Navy to broaden my horizons with travel and life experience,” Davis said. “The Navy recruiter was friendly and made serving seem appealing.”
Today, Davis serves as an aviation ordnanceman assigned to Fleet Readiness Center West onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore.
NAS Lemoore is home to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and Commander Joint Strike Fighter Wing. More than half of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft reside here, and it is the only Navy installation to house the F-35C Lightning II.
Carrier strike groups and the embarked aviation squadrons are the cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection and sea power. They can quickly maneuver thousands of miles with the world’s most capable warships and top-notch sailors, remaining on station in areas of interest without relying on land bases or overflight agreements. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are the most adaptable, lethal and survivable airfields in the world and their presence serves as the most credible commitment to our allies and partners.
Naval aviation provides the Navy and our nation with a flexible, adaptable, and lethal force to preserve peace, respond in crises and win decisively in combat. The U.S. Navy maintains and operates more than 2,000 aircraft to fulfill various mission sets in order to preserve the American way of life and ensure freedom, security and 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.
Davis has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment in the Navy was having the honor of becoming a leading petty officer and having that platform to help my fellow sailors achieve their goals,” Davis said. “It’s something that you go home at the end of the day and look back on. I’ll say to my wife, ‘What have you done today to make it better than yesterday?’ When you have that platform, you can see your sailors go from being kids to adults, doing the same thing you did. You’re growing a new generation.”
Davis serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
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. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
“Serving in the Navy has given me the opportunity to better myself and others every day,” Davis said.
Davis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom and dad for giving me all the support throughout the years and my wife and daughter for all the sacrifices they make every day,” Davis said.