For those looking towards the future, Skylar Bridges says the military is a good option.
Bridges, who graduated from Levelland High School in May 2021, is now an aviation technician after joining the Navy and spoke enthusiastically about her experience thus far.
After graduating high school, Bridges attended South Plains College to pursue a degree in teaching. Upon completion of her associates degree last August, she considered joining the military with her initial interest in the U.S. Air Force. But due to her medical history, she was going to have to wait a year. At that point, she considered the Navy, and after meeting personnel there, her direction was set.
“I felt like God was telling me to do whatever needed to be done,” Bridges said. “Yes, I could wait, but why put a pause on what I am specifically asking God to do for my life?”
The Navy basic training center is located at the Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois. While there, Bridges participated in a rigorous 10week program of classes, building discipline, frequent workouts and training under the motto “One team, one fight.”
“They are trying to turn you into a different person and give you a different mentality you can grow from, ' Bridges said. “They are trying to make you a team player.”
After graduating bootcamp in January, Bridges traveled to the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to learn the basics of being an aviation technician electrician. Aviation techs maintain, troubleshoot and repair onboard computer, radar, communication, and weapons systems and ensure mission- critical electronics on tactical jets and helicopters function perfectly, performing everything from microminiature circuit card repairs to electrical diagnostics in hangars and aboard aircraft carriers.
Following NATTC, Bridges went to Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Unit Norfolk, Virginia, where she graduated in June. Commonly called the C-school, sailors receive specialized aviation training for working on helicopters (MH-53E/ MH-60S), early warning aircraft (E-2C/D), and various aviation maintenance and administrative jobs.
Bridges is now an E-3 airman attached to the Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) 14 Squadron, also known as the 'Chargers', based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.
“I troubleshoot on helicopters,” Bridges said. “I find electrical problems, and if it’s within my department, I fix it. We pretty much make sure the helicopter is safe for flight.”
Bridges said she keeps finding benefits to military service including travel, discounts and financial assistance as big plus to military service. She added that the Navy is very family oriented, and she feels secure in the fact that her husband Joshua Quintero and their dog will be taken care of “whenever and wherever [I] go.”
“Last but not least, it’s fun,” Bridges said, “You learn a lot and make a lot of friends. I genuinely enjoy it, every second.”