A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Commander Taylor joined the Nuclear Navy as a Machinist Mate in 2002 and served on the USS Harry S. Truman. During this tour, CDR Taylor made one deployment on the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. At the end of his tour, he applied to and was selected for the STA-21 commissioning program in 2007 and graduated from the University of Utah in 2010, earning a Bachelor of Science in Geoscience, and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. He reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in October of 2010 and earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings in September 2012. In October 2012, CDR Taylor reported to the VAQ 129 “Vikings” for initial fleet training as an EA-18G Electronic Warfare Officer.  

CDR Taylor began operational flying in October 2013 when he joined the “Zappers” of VAQ-130.  While a “Zapper”, he made two deployments: one aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), and one aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69); participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Concluding this tour, CDR Taylor was selected to attend the Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School in Fallon, NV, and transferred to the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) in January 2017 where he served on N10 (HAVOC) staff until December 2020. 

CDR Taylor reported to VAQ-138 “Yellowjackets” for his Training Officer tour in January 2021. During this tour, he assisted in planning and conducting the 1st live HARM shoot launched from Whidbey Island in order to navigate the difficulties of COVID operations while still conducting training and readiness. As the Training Officer, CDR Taylor deployed to PACOM with VAQ-138 conducting integrated operations in support of 7th fleet from Misawa AB, Japan, Kadena AB, Japan, and Anderson AB, Guam. 

CDR Taylor was personally requested to remain in VAQ-138 for his Department Head tour, circumventing the COVID-19 ROM requirements and streamlining the transition from TO to DH. During his DH tour, he completed another PACOM deployment, supporting additional operations in 7th fleet, and maximizing the employment of EA-18G capabilities for the promotion of fair and equal navigation in international airspace and waters near and around the South China Sea. 

Following his department head tour, CDR Taylor reported to the Naval War College in Newport, RI in July of 2023, and graduated in June of 2024 with a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies.

CDR Taylor assumed the position of Executive Officer of the VAQ-131 in July 2025.

CDR Taylor has accumulated over 1,800 flight hours in 3 aircraft and 200 carrier-arrested landings, including 41 combat missions. His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various service awards and ribbons. 
 

Last Updated: 3 July 2025