Women Who Serve feature
EVENTUALLY , THE PAPERS WERE SIGNED AND BEFORE SHE KNEW IT , Becky was being picked up to begin her basic training in Orlando , Florida . As we chat about her experiences leading up to basic training , Becky ’ s eyes light up with a smile and a hint of amusement , as she describes how well that trip to Orlando prepared her for the journey to come . “ I left home at the crack of dawn to head to Pittsburg for processing , which takes all day . Then I took my first flight , which was an experience in itself . After waiting on people and buses at the Orlando airport , we finally made it to the base around 2AM and had to wake up at the crack of dawn again the next morning .” And I thought waking up for an 8:30 class was rough enough !
Overall , her time at basic training was an eye opener in more ways than one for the wide-eyed girl from Pennsylvania . “ I wasn ’ t aware that I fidgeted and daydreamed as much as I did . The Navy ’ s really into attention to detail , from how you make your bed , to your outfit , and how you clean your weapon . It all has to be precise .” It was during her time in Orlando that Becky soon found a place for herself while working in pediatrics . As she learned more about medicine , she became fascinated and was eventually sent to the Naval Hospital Corpsman School in Great Lakes , Illinois . “ I wanted to be busy and I hated getting bored , so this seemed like the perfect solution !” Becky recalls , as her eyes mirror the excitement in her voice . Yet , when she arrived at Great Lakes , she was in for another surprise . While boot camp had been all about structure , Hospital Corpsman training was much more relaxed , which gave the shy girl from rural Pennsylvania a chance to branch out and make lasting friendships and unforgettable memories . “ I remember going to my first concert while I was stationed in San Diego and taking trips all over the country . Those are some trips that I ’ ll never forget .”
Yet , don ’ t be fooled . Her time in the service wasn ’ t all fun and games . During the time that she began boot camp , Reagan was elected , followed almost simultaneously by the release of the American hostages . It was influential for Becky , as she recounts the gravity of the matter . “ I didn ’ t think they would be there that long . That was the first time I thought , ‘ Wow , this could get serious .’” However , the crisis in the Middle East wasn ’ t the only terrifying thing that Becky came face-to-face with while enlisted . One situation that proved just how fierce she was happened when she became the fixation of a stalker . Her usually composed manner slightly quivers as she shares about the unsettling event . “ It was extremely disturbing . I would be swimming laps alone in the almost vacant pool . As I would come up , he would just be standing at the other end , staring . I suppose one of the factors that intimidated me the most was the fact that he was a military policeman and carried a weapon at all times .” Eventually , though , enough was enough . After a class , while others were packing up , she turned around to find him standing directly behind her . “ I ’ d had enough . I just couldn ’ t take it anymore .” And with that , she yelled at him to back off and to never come near her again . “ I ’ m not sure if it was my yelling in public or the fact that others were around and backed me up , but I never had another issue with him again .”
BECKY ’ S EYES LIGHT UP AS SHE REMEMBERED ONE INTERESTING FACT , that takes me by surprise . “ There were shots . So many shots …” “ You mean hospital shots ?” I wondered out loud . “ Yes ! It seemed like every time we turned around , they had something else that we needed to be immunized from . And , it wasn ’ t little shots like you get in the doctor ’ s office . Ours were injected with air guns and they would do two at a time . The military never knew where they were going to send us , so we had to be prepared for anything at any moment .” I suppose this was the same reason that the Navy was so proactive about another oddity - dental health . “ When you get shipped out , you never know where you ’ re going or if there will be any way to provide dental care for you if you get a cavity or anything else .”
It was during her time as a Hospital Corpsman in Orlando at the Navy Hospital that Becky received a word of advice from one of the nurses she followed . “ Now that you have worked on the ward , don ’ t forget what we are doing and why we are doing it . Don ’ t forget that on the other side of every order and phone call is a patient . You ’ ve been on both sides now and you know how important your patients are and how real their pain is .” It ’ s obvious to those around her , through her actions and kind heart , that that one quote stuck with her . After years of service , Becky has remained steadfastly dedicated to helping those around her , whether it ’ s caring for her family , pharmaceutical patients , or country . As she looks back on her time of service , Becky reminisces with a smile . “ I guess I got everything out of it that I wanted . I found a career that I love and was able to pay for my schooling . The only thing I wish people knew is that not everyone goes in the military for the same reason . Yeah , some make careers out of it ; but for others , it ’ s just a jumping off point for the rest of our lives . I think that ’ s the wonderful thing about the military . It gives you that option and the ability to truly make a difference . Without it , I ’ m not sure where I would be .”
Becky Taylor resides in Darlington , South Carolina , with her husband of 20 years , Tracy . They have two children : Spencer and Mitchell . Becky is currently the Pharmacy Manager at Walmart in Darlington .
106 JULY 2016 SHEMAGAZINE . COM