CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – A 1990 Berkeley High School graduate and Moncks Corner native supports the training of naval aviation personnel and air operations.
Capt. Kimberly Driggers-Taylor serves at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas.
“I am the Chief Nursing Officer for the Naval Health Clinic in Corpus Christi and responsible for the nursing care delivery throughout our enterprise,” Driggers-Taylor said. “Additionally, I am the Director of Branch Clinics and govern two branch clinics in Fort Worth and Kingsville, Texas, as well as the San Antonio Wounded, Ill and Injured Detachment.”
Driggers-Taylor credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Moncks Corner.
“I’ve learned to always be kind and do your best with what you have been given and great things can happen, even from those growing up in a small, rural community,” Driggers-Taylor said.
The flight training program is approximately 18 months, due to the increased complexity of today’s aircraft. Currently, Training Air Wing FOUR produces approximately 600 newly qualified aviators each year. Naval Air Station is also home to Corpus Christi Army Depot, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22, Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi and nearly 40 other tenant commands.
“The mission of Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, is to provide the best possible service and facilities to our customers with pride,” said Fifi Kieschnick, public affairs officer of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Driggers-Taylor plays an important role in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Driggers-Taylor is most proud of being selected to serve as the chief nursing officer for the Corpus Christi enterprise. Driggers-Taylor also served as the chief nursing officer for the Expeditionary Medical Facility while deployed to Djibouti, Africa.
“I tremendously value the ability to bring positive influence to the lives of the teams and patients entrusted to my care,” Driggers-Taylor said. “Serving as a global ambassador while deployed was also an extremely enriching experience.”
Driggers-Taylor also places a great deal of value on education as evidenced in her earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2017 from The University of South Carolina, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2008 from East Carolina University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1994 from Medical University of South Carolina and an Associate of Science in 1992 from Trident Technical College.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Driggers-Taylor, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Driggers-Taylor is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer, my father was a specialist in the Army who served during the Vietnam War, and I have several uncles who served in all branches of the military with the exception of the Coast Guard,” Driggers-Taylor said. “I feel thankful that I have a family legacy to the military and very grateful to be the first woman and naval officer in my family to serve my country.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Driggers-Taylor and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is a tremendous honor and privilege and I have been blessed with many opportunities to shape, guide and lead others in a variety of settings and locations,” Driggers-Taylor said. “It has been a joy to work with people from all over the world both within the Navy and through building community partnerships. I am a better person for having served and I trust that I have sown positive seeds within others that will continue to grow in the years to come.”
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