Burnham sailor supports US Navy fighter jet mission
Navy Office of Community Outreach
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FALLON, Nev. -- Every sailor's story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 2nd Class Logan Miller, this story has ties to Burnham, Pennsylvania, where skills and values learned there are foundational to success in the Navy.
"I was raised in Scouting and completed my Eagle Scout with Troop 10 in Reedsville, Pennsylvania," Miller said. "I'm the fifth Eagle Scout in my family. The men and women who took their time mentoring me and lending a guiding hand are a significant reason I am in the position I'm in today. My time in Scouting taught me the basic leadership fundamentals that the Navy requires, and my time in marching band taught me marching and discipline."
Miller graduated from Mifflin County High School in 2017. Miller is currently enrolled in the behavioral studies program at Liberty University and hopes to become a therapist or a psychiatric physician's assistant in the future.
Miller joined the Navy seven years ago.
"I joined the Navy to gain life experience and to travel," Miller said. "The education benefits were an added plus. I have a lot of Marines in my family -- my grandpa served in the Marines and my brother was a military police officer in the Marines -- and a couple who served in the Army. I wanted to serve but didn't want to do exactly what they did. I wanted to do my own thing."
Today, Miller serves as a master-at-arms assigned to the Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon Security Detachment.
The air station provides joint and allied nation rotational forces the unique opportunity to train in realistic combat scenarios while employing every element of an air carrier wing. It is the only facility in the world with this ability. The aircraft stationed at NAS Fallon support aircraft carrier missions around the world.
NAS Fallon is host to 21 tenant commands, including the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC). As the Navy's premier tactical air warfare training center, NAWDC is home to multiple weapons training schools, including TOPGUN. In 1969, TOPGUN was introduced with the mission of reducing casualties of naval aviators sustained during the Vietnam War. Within a year, this goal was reached with the United States having one casualty for every 12 enemy deaths. Since then, TOPGUN has continued to train the finest naval aviators and has inspired two blockbuster movies, one released in 1986 and its sequel released in 2022.
Carrier strike groups and the embarked aviation squadrons are the cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection and sea power. They can quickly maneuver thousands of miles with the world's most capable warships and top-notch sailors, remaining on station in areas of interest without relying on land bases or overflight agreements. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are the most adaptable, lethal, and survivable airfields in the world and their presence serves as the most credible commitment to our allies and partners.
Naval aviation provides the Navy and our nation with a flexible, adaptable and lethal force to preserve peace, respond in crises and win decisively in combat. The U.S. Navy maintains and operates more than 2,000 aircraft to fulfill various mission sets in order to preserve the American way of life and ensure freedom, security and prosperity.
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.
Miller has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest accomplishments are leading and guiding junior sailors through their qualifications and providing mentorship in areas where it's needed," Miller said. "I'm also proud to be an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) caregiver and a SafeTALK trainer, helping keep up-to-date information on suicide prevention and being a beacon of light for those who may be struggling."
Miller is also proud of joining the Navy.
"I saw a TED Talk once that said: 'Always do things that scare you because that's where the most growth comes from,'" Miller said. "Joining the military was terrifying to me, and doing any kind of law enforcement job was scary. By joining the Navy and serving as a master-at-arms, I hit two birds with one stone. Now I'm working on getting into the Medical Service Corps."
Miller serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation's defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available at https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/.
"Serving in the Navy holds a lot of meaning, for example, patriotism, the commitment to serving my country," Miller said. "That goes into service to others. In the Navy, we often get to contribute to public welfare by providing humanitarian and disaster relief efforts."
Miller is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I'd like to give a shout-out to my mother and father, Jodi and Larry, as well as my stepmother, Teresa, for their continued support," Miller said. "I'd like to give a shout-out to my brother, Aaron, and my grandfather, Sam, for being an influence on my decision to enlist. I'd also like to give a shout-out to Arthur Belfiore, my high school band director. He was a role model of what a competent, capable mentor is."