Souda Spotlight: Culinary Specialist 1st Class Jason Taylor, Housing

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelly M Agee | 200520-N-Az866-0008 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 20, 2021) Culinary Specialist 1st Class John Taylor, assigned to the Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Housing Department, poses in front of the barracks May 20, 2021. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Joel Diller/Released)  

GREECE

05.20.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelly M Agee 

U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay

Culinary Specialist 1st Class Jason Taylor, from Freeport, Fla., joined the Navy in October 2004 and has been stationed at NSA Souda Bay since December 2020. Taylor currently works in the Housing Department where he manages the barracks by resolving housing issues for the junior Sailors.

What does a typical day look like in Housing?

I help active duty members in the barracks. If a Sailor is having issues in the barracks (they don’t have hot water, the Internet isn’t working or they have pest problems) they can tell the residential advisor and they will get ahold of me. If it is during working hours they are more than welcome to come over and talk to me.


Do you have any other responsibilities?

I am also the leading petty officer for the Administration Department. My job is putting out information, making sure that my Sailors are being taken care of, and that information that needs to be passed up and down the chain of command is being communicated properly. I am the LPO for a variety of rates, including yeoman, a personnel specialist, navy counselors, a damage controlman, a mass communication specialist and a religious program specialist. We are spread out throughout the base. There is a lot of walking involved and phone calls reaching out to my people. But, if someone is having an issue I want them to come to me and I want to be able to give them the correct answer and if I don’t know I will guide them in the right direction. We are a really good department. We are all E-5 and above, and everyone is really responsible. Admin is really good to work with and it has been a pleasure.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I like getting to help people. If they are having issues with something in their room needing to be fixed, I like being able to help get it fixed so they can live a more comfortable life over in the barracks.

When you're not at work, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy being outside. I really like to hike, go to the beach. I like it because I enjoy nature and being able to see the local area. My goal is to hike all over the island.

What makes NSA Souda Bay different from previous assignments?

On a ship you have CSs that cook in the galley. It is very fast paced. You are always moving and we have very long hours. Sometimes underway you will work 16 – 18 hour days and it is nonstop the whole time. You also have CSs that are in charge of the store rooms. So, they are performing inventory or issuing out food to the galleys and also keeping the spaces clean. Or you have a records keeper that keeps up with all the records. Here, it is more relaxed and you get a lot more appreciation, people are happier when they get good service and are being helped because we do a great job improving everyone’s standard of living.

What is something you want Team Souda to know about Housing?

The Housing Department is extremely helpful, we actually enjoy helping everyone. We go out of our way to do things. Working with the local nationals is great; they go above and beyond to help everyone on base. It is my first time working with local nationals, they do such a great job here.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2021
• Date Posted: 06.02.2021 04:11
• Story ID: 397913
• Location: GR