OKLAHOMA CITY — Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 1st Class Kyleigh Carey, this story began in San Antonio, Texas, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy.
Carey graduated from Bryon P. Steele High School in 2020. Additionally, Carey is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with a minor in network engineering and is expected to graduate in 2027.
Carey joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy because I was looking for better opportunities and a chance to build a stable future without being burdened by college debt,” Carey said. “I’ve also always wanted to travel and experience more of the world beyond my hometown. The Navy offered that path while also allowing me to grow personally and professionally.”
Today, Carey serves as an information systems technician assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four (VQ-4) in Oklahoma City. Carey supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
The TACAMO mission originated in 1961 when a Marine Corps aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system. Once the test was successful, funding for the program was granted, and it has continued to grow ever since.
The U.S. Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Carey has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy so far has been getting meritoriously promoted to the rank of petty officer second class, which allowed me to make petty officer first class in four and a half years,” Carey said. “I’m proud of that because there were only two people in my department who were meritoriously promoted, and it was a recognition of all my hard work. On top of that, serving as chief of the watch at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic for the entire East Coast fleet has been a huge honor because it allowed me to be a part of something bigger than myself. Being in a position where my work directly impacts such a large mission has really been life-changing.”
“Serving in the Navy means a great deal to me,” Carey said. “It gives me a strong sense of purpose because I know that I’m doing my part to protect our country and the people I care about. It’s more than just a job, it’s a commitment to something bigger than myself, and that responsibility motivates me every day to be the best I can be.”
Carey is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to give a huge thank you to my family for their unwavering support and encouragement through everything,” Carey added. “They’ve been my rock, especially during the tough times. I also want to shout out to my best friend, Tianna. Her friendship and constant motivation have kept me grounded and focused no matter where I am.”