Geneva Native Serving As Surface Warfare Officer On Navy Destroyer

Lt. j.g. Tyler McAvoy, a native of Geneva, knows all about teamwork.

“From my hometown, I learned the importance of teamwork and that you can’t do everything alone,” said McAvoy. “My hometown also taught me to lean on and trust the guys next to me. There is no room to be selfish here.”

McAvoy graduated from Geneva High School in 2016.

McAvoy is currently serving the United States aboard USS Ramage, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport, Florida.

After joining the Navy three years ago, McAvoy now serves as a surface warfare officer.

“I always wanted to join the Navy,” said McAvoy. “I joined for the opportunity to grow as a young man to serve my country and to travel. I also wanted to learn how to lead and follow.”

A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns, and a phalanx close-in weapons system.

More than 300 sailors serve aboard Ramage. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.

McAvoy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am proud of receiving my Surface Warfare Officer pin,” said McAvoy. “One of my proudest accomplishments during my career was having an effective deployment with my sailors with no safety mishaps. We all got home safely.”

McAvoy 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 putting others before me,” said McAvoy. “It becomes second nature to think of your sailors first. It has taught me that any schedule is up for rescheduling. It has also taught me to go with the flow, trust in my chain of command and trust in God.”

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

“I would like to thank my family including my mom, brother, sister, dad, Nana and my wife,” added McAvoy. “They’ve loved and supported me every season of my life and I can’t imagine doing any of this without them. Being in the Navy has been both the most difficult and the most rewarding time of my life.”