Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Rognstad | Spc. Joshua Taylor, Alpha Company, 53rd Signal Battalion, Satellite Operations...... read more read more
Spc. Joshua Taylor joined the Army in 2017 because growing up, Soldiers were his heroes. That, and before he joined, he was stuck at a dead-end job in a factory making barbecue sauce. He was disillusioned, wanted to leave his hometown of Munfordville, Kentucky, but was afraid to venture off to college just yet, and he yearned for a sense of purpose.
Taylor eventually found it – as a satellite controller in the Satellite Operations (SATOPS) Brigade, where he maintains global terrestrial command and control circuits, manages transmissions to spacecraft, and controls ground equipment. Additionally, he serves as a master evaluator that trains new Soldiers and brings them up to speed on the equipment in his unit, Alpha Company, 53rd Signal Battalion, Fort Detrick, Maryland.
Taylor is currently at the Army’s Basic Leader Course at Fort Carson, Colorado, a junior enlisted class every Soldier must attend if they wish to make sergeant and stay in the Army. I reached out to Taylor recently while he was quarantined before he started the course.
Q: Why SATOPS? What pushed you in this career direction in the Army?
A: SATOPS came to me sort of accidentally. Originally out of AIT (Advanced Individual Training) I was supposed to go to 4th Space Company, but then after they pulled the GPA's and class standings I was shoved into a controller class because I was top of my class.
Q: What is it about your job you enjoy?
A: I enjoy being hands-on with equipment and getting an opportunity to be a subject matter expert.
Q: Where do you see your career going from here?
A: I hope it takes me to a place where I am able to directly mentor Soldiers, and give them a look at how good leadership and mentoring can impact their career to make them a more effective operator. I want a future sergeant major to look back and tell the story of how ‘ol sergeant Taylor gave him some wisdom or advice that changed his life, or inspired him to make a major move. I want to be remembered positively everywhere I go and leave a lasting impact.
Q: Describe yourself in three words.
A: Three words? That's difficult because I try to speak through actions, but honest, understanding, and energetic.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I love to long board. Cruising around downtown checking out all the cool restaurants and dives in the summer is second to none. I also really love working on my car. I used to know nothing about cars, but I am always eager to learn and luckily the Army helped me meet some really intelligent people that were willing to teach. I love going to the gym. There is nothing like throwing some heavy weight on my shoulders, blasting music and repping out whatever it is that stresses me. I also have a passion for learning and broadening my horizons. I really love hearing new ways of doing things, or how things are different in all the places people come from.
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2021 10:31 |
| Story ID: | 393606 |
| Location: | MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 194 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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