Command Master Chief Jon R. Taylor, the senior enlisted advisor at the U.S. Naval Academy, was recently inducted into his high school’s alumni honor roll for inspiring students to believe in the power of education with his personal story of a successful naval career.
Taylor, a 1986 graduate of the J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, Kan., was inducted along with 11 other Kansas City Public Schools alumni as part of the district’s 2011 “Reason to Believe” program, which recognizes successful alumni leaders in a diverse array of careers fields who can serve as positive role models for children.
“There was a young boy who I talked to and he said to me ‘Wow, I didn't know that the world was such a big place,’ said Taylor. “I told him that I was just like him 27 years ago, but I was able to get out and do something. Go to school, educate yourself.”
The school used Taylor’s picture and accomplishments as part of their public relations campaign to publicize the “Reason to Believe” program on one of their brochures, proposing a military career as an option for youth.
Taylor infuses his belief in the power of education on a daily basis, carrying recruitment cards for the academy in his day planner and always sharing the benefit of higher education with anyone he meets.
One such meeting made a huge impact.
Cryptologic Technician Chief Christine Cots who was on the academy campus giving a naval heritage tour to seven junior sailors asked Taylor to offer some advice about enrolling at the academy. After hearing what Taylor had to say, two of the sailors applied and one was accepted.
Based on this experience, Cots applied for a position as one of the senior enlisted leaders at the academy, responsible for helping to train future officers.
“He was just so passionate about the program and having enlisted do their part here,” said Cots. “We are a very important piece in the midshipmen’s learning. His excitement about being here really encouraged me to apply, and that encouraged the sailors I brought too."
