From Taylors to the Fleet: Local Graduate Proudly Serves in the U.S. Navy

A very special Blue Ridge High School graduate is now serving to protect us all...

Carrying on a proud family legacy, Seaman Apprentice Ryan Embree, a native of Taylors, graduated from Blue Ridge High School in 2023.

Just a year ago, he joined the U.S. Navy for two reasons: to better himself and to continue his family’s long line of military service.Today, Embree serves with Navy Medicine, assigned to the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.

As a master-at-arms, he serves with the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, which provides superior medical care to warfighters and their families.

Proud to lace up his boots every day in service to our country, looking ahead, Embree plans to serve for 20 years and hopes to cross-rate as a rescue swimmer.

Official Press Release below:
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Seaman Apprentice Ryan Embree, a native of Taylors, South Carolina, serves with Navy Medicine assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Embree graduated from Blue Ridge High School in 2023.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Taylors.

“A lesson I have learned from home is that respect is earned, not given,” Embree said.

Embree joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Embree serves as a master-at-arms.

“I joined the Navy to better myself and to do stuff I couldn't do at 1otherwise,” Embree said. “Another reason is my mom’s side has a continuing military service, and I didn't want to end the line.”

NMRTC Portsmouth is Navy Medicine’s premier medical force generation platform. The command provides superior medical care to warfighters and their families, while maximizing readiness through the development of a skilled, adaptable and operational medical force prepared to meet the demands of the fight tonight.

Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

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.

Embree has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I'm proud to be able to be in my boots every day serving my country, and how much I've changed from before the Navy,” Embree said. “I also earned the Hard Charger of the Month for the month of June while on deployment aboard the USNS Comfort during Continuing Promise 2025.”

Embree serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Embree said. “It's my first major job, and it has forged me into a more mature person.”

Embree is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my mom, Natalie Embree, for helping me every step of the way, and she has always helped and supported ever decision I have made, even if she didn't like it,” Embree said.

“I plan on doing 20 years in the Navy,” Embree said. “I want to crossrate to a rescue swimmer, which was my original choice of job.”