Butler Native Serves Aboard U.S. Navy Floating Airport

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey, Navy Office of Community Outreach

NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Kristin Taylor, a native of Butler, Alabama, serves aboard USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Taylor graduated from Jackson High School in 2021.

“Growing up, I learned the golden rule of treating people how you want to be treated,” Taylor said. “The number one thing you need in the Navy is respect for your chain of command, and that will get you really far.”

Taylor joined the Navy three years ago.

“I joined the Navy to build my self-discipline,” Taylor said. “I also wanted to build a network of people from all over the world, and take advantage of the educational benefits. Both of my parents were in the Navy. They highly encouraged me to join the Air Force, but to be rebellious, I joined the Navy.”

Today, Taylor serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.

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. ​​

Nimitz is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is also 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard this self-contained mobile airport, making Nimitz one of the largest warships in the world.

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.

Taylor has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. 

“I am most proud of how far I have come with my self-discipline,” Taylor said. “The Navy gave me a lot of character. Before I joined, I didn’t have good priorities. I would have rather done what I wanted and had fun. Once I joined the Navy, the schedule, repetition, and training have trained me to be more disciplined. It trained my brain to prioritize what is important and to manage my time.”

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 for me is an accomplishment,” Taylor said. “It is a good stepping stone for me later in life, but in the end it is something I did on my own, and a decision I made for myself. I was able to become my own person, and it has given me a sense of independence.”

Taylor is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my number one supporter, my dad,” Taylor added. “He is MVP and a great man. I also want to thank my mentors, Chief Holland, Petty Officer High and Petty Officer Chin. Chief Holland was my first mentor. He helped me learn the ropes of being on the ship and led me to the people I need to be around to improve and network. High is the iron first I needed. He is really good at keeping me in check and has helped me maintain my professionalism, and calls me out when I need to be called out. 

“Chin is a big sister to me; she was like a mix of High and Chief Holland. She was tough, but compassionate, and was there anytime I needed someone to confide in. She taught me a lot about my job and taught me everything I know.”