KINGSVILLE, Texas — Lt. j.g. Kyle Boyken, a native of Meridian, is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the next generation of naval aviators learning the skills needed to fly missions around the world while assigned to Training Squadron 22 in Kingsville, Texas.

A 2014 graduate of Lamar High School, Boyken earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University in 2020 before joining the Navy three years ago.

“While in college, I was working with a fixed base operator fueling jets at Naval Air Station Meridian and fell in love with aviation,” said Boyken. “I thought ‘What better way to fly aircraft and serve our country at the same time?’ My grandfather, Billy Wayne McBride, was the command master chief of the base when I worked there and was an influence on me to consider joining the Navy as well.”

The skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those he was taught growing up in Meridian.

“My parents taught me a great work ethic, self-discipline and to work well with others,” said Boyken. “This has helped me be successful in both my professional and personal life.”

Today, Boyken serves as a student naval aviator assigned to VT 22, a U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron located at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.

“I enjoy the opportunity to learn aviation skills and learn from the best,” said Boyken. “I also enjoy traveling the world and experiencing different people and cultures.”

The aviation squadron’s primary mission is to train future naval aviators to fly as well as instill leadership and officer values, Navy officials said. Students must complete many phases of flight training to graduate, including aviation preflight indoctrination, primary flight training and advanced flight training. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”

After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter attack jet, the F-35 Lightning strike fighter jet or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. These aircraft take off from and land on Navy aircraft carriers at sea.

Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.

Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Boyken has achieved numerous milestones throughout his military service but earning his Wings of Gold stands out among them, he said.

“My proudest accomplishment is completing flight school and earning my ‘Wings of Gold,’” said Boyken. “It was a testament to being a persistent, self-disciplined person with a strong work ethic.”

The son of a U.S. Marine, Boyken said he is honored to be able to carry on his family’s legacy of service and give back to his community and country. He said he also wants to thank the people who helped teach him the skills and values that made it possible for him to be where he is today.

“I would like to thank my high school teacher, Stephen Wood, and Col. Todd McCarthy, my mentor in the U.S. Naval Academy,” added Boyken. “Also, I would like to thank my father, Shawn Jervis, who previously served in the Marines during the Gulf War in 1991. He exposed me to the Marine Corps and supported me while also teaching me that service to your country is important.”