Petty Officer 1st Class Darrell Floyd, a native of Hinesville, Georgia, is serving in the U.S. Navy with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 on the island of Guam.
Floyd graduated from Bradwell High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hinesville.
“I was taught from a very young age the value of hard work, and that if you are going to do anything, it’s worth doing right the first time,” said Floyd.
Floyd joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Floyd serves as an aviation electronics technician.
“I joined the Navy to travel and see the world,” said Floyd. “I wanted to challenge myself while also setting myself up for the future.”
HSC 25 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron and as part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th and 5th Fleets, as well as detachments to various commands covering a diverse mission set. Flying the MH-60S helicopter, HSC-25 supports permanently assigned detachments to the USS America homeported in Sasebo, Japan, Commander Task Force 76, and Commander Task Force 73. These detachments perform combat logistics, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance for U.S. 7th Fleet.
Based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, HSC 25 is the Navy’s only squadron that maintains a 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Guam and Joint Region Marianas. Since 1984, HSC 25 has launched 2,445 missions, resulting in 762 medical evacuations, and rescuing 475 lives from waters and jungles of the island chain.
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.
Floyd serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Floyd has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the fact that my hard work was seen and I was able to climb to the rank of petty officer first class,” said Floyd. “Being a first class allows me to help my fellow junior sailors and teach them to be successful. We are all a team and I enjoy bringing up my junior sailors right behind me.”
Floyd can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is a calling and a way to give back to my home country,” said Floyd. “We protect and defend the freedoms of our family and friends back at home, as well as our allies around the world.”
Floyd is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Lynnae, for always being there for me and raising me to be the man I am today,” added Floyd.
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar, Navy Office of Community Outreach
