White Sands Commander Presents Coin to Exchange’s Versatile ‘Utility Man’
At the White Sands Missile Range PX, Johnathan Taynor keeps the shelves stocked. He also assists customers who need help finding something, or tell them when an out-of-stock item is due in the store.
That’s how he describes his job. Brandi Army, Combined Activities manager at the PX, puts it another way.
“He’s our utility man,” she said. “He fills in wherever we need him, whether it’s as a cashier or helping with receiving. He does it all.”
Exchange laborer/stocker Johnathan Taynor’s reputation for helpfulness earned him a visit from Brig. Gen. David C. Trybula, White Sands Missile Range commander, who presented Taynor with his challenge coin. White Sands Missile Range Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher A. Prosser looks on at right.
Taynor is always flexible, filling in where necessary, making sure customers and teammates have a smooth experience at the Exchange, Army said. His reputation for helpfulness earned him a visit from Brig. Gen. David C. Trybula, WSMR’s commander, who presented Taynor with his challenge coin.
“I was humbled,” Johnathan Taynor said about receiving the coin. “I felt like it could have gone to other people. But I appreciated it.”
Humble, Army said, is a good word to describe Taynor. “When I explained to him why I had nominated him, his response was, ‘Well, I’m just doing my job’,” she said. “But the fact of the matter is, he does so much more than that.”
Taynor grew up shopping at the White Sands PX. His father was in the Air Force, then joined the Army. He was transferred to the Missile Range in the southern New Mexico desert when Johnathan was 4.
“He has a personal connection with a lot of the customers and with the mission of not only White Sands but of course the Exchange,” Army said. “I think he brings that personality and dedication with him to work every day.”
Taynor said that this is what he learned when he was younger.
“I grew up with a work ethic like this,” he said. “It’s how I was raised to do it. I just come in and try to do my job and help people out. That’s how I feel you should do your job.”
