Slaton’s Own: How Phyllis Wyss Honors Her Family Legacy

Hey y’all, today I want to give a BIG shoutout to one of our own—Petty Officer 2nd Class Phyllis Wyss, a proud Slaton High School graduate who’s serving our country and making us all mighty proud.

Where is She Stationed?

Wyss, who graduated from Slaton High back in 2014, is currently stationed at Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes—better known as FACSFAC VACAPES. That’s a mouthful, but trust me, what they do is serious business! They're the folks managing the skies and seas off the East Coast, overseeing military air traffic and keeping things in check from Rhode Island down to South Carolina.

What's Her Job at FACSFAC VACAPES?

Wyss serves as an electronics technician, and her job is as technical as it is crucial. She helps maintain all the gear that keeps these operations running like a well-oiled machine—supporting everything from missile tests to NASA rocket launches!

When asked what inspired her to join the Navy, Wyss said it was all about family and legacy.

“I joined the Navy to honor my grandad’s memory. He was a senior chief,”

Now that’s the kind of generational pride you don’t just read about every day!

Roots in West Texas!

But the roots of her service go even deeper—to her West Texas upbringing.

“Growing up in the church, I was taught to do unto others as they would do unto me. That lesson helps me a lot here because other sailors always tell me that I am very kind, and that they don’t see that from people often.”

In a world that could use more kindness, Petty Officer Wyss is bringing that small-town Slaton heart all the way to the high-tech command center of the U.S. Navy.

Happy Birthday to the Navy!

This year, the Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday, and with 90% of global commerce traveling by sea—and most of our internet running through undersea cables—the Navy plays a bigger role in everyday life than most folks realize. And it’s people like Wyss—who recently made the rank of Petty Officer Second Class—who keep it all moving.

Phyllis, thank you for your service, your heart, and for representing West Texas with pride!

From everyone here in Lubbock—we salute you!