by Megan Brown,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Seaman Bryce Phillips, a native of Churchville, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City Beach, Florida, the largest diving facility in the world.
Phillips graduated from Churchville-Chili High School in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Churchville.
“Growing up in my hometown taught me to work hard to build a good reputation and to strive to be more than average,” said Phillips. “In the Navy, you get out of it what you put into it. If I am not slacking and leaving other people to do the work for me, it builds a good reputation for myself.”
Phillips joined the Navy one year ago.
“I joined the Navy because I come from a military family and I always wanted to serve my country,” said Phillips. “I also wanted to fight for our country’s freedoms.”
More than 1,200 students from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard train at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center each year. These students include candidates for submarine SCUBA, U.S. Navy deep sea divers, Seabee underwater construction divers, joint service diving officers and explosive ordnance disposal officers.
Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center houses 23 certified diver life support systems, which include two diving simulation facilities capable of pressing divers to a depth of 300 feet, an aquatics training facility with the second largest pool in the U.S., a submarine lock-out trunk that holds nearly one million gallons of water and two 133-foot Yard Diving Tenders for open ocean diving support.
“Having a cadre of students who are eager to learn and extremely hardworking, ensures the future of our Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal communities,” said Cmdr. Troy Lawson, commanding officer, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center.
Serving in the Navy means Phillips is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because it protects our shores from being invaded by foreign adversaries,” said Phillips.
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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Phillips has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of making it through selection for dive school,” said Phillips. “Eighty percent of candidates drop out, so I am proud that I worked hard and stayed motivated to make it here.”
As Phillips and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting my country and fighting for our freedoms,” said Phillips.
Phillips is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Wilis, who was my recruiter and mentored me throughout the process of joining the Navy,” added Phillips. “I also want to thank my dad, Robert, for always being there for me and for giving me great advice as I go through my Navy career.”
