Gunner’s Mate is among the 5 authentic scores established in The Naval Armament Act of 1794 together with Boatswain’s Mate, Quartermaster, Grasp-at-Arms, and Yeoman.
Throughout a quick speech, Harrison mirrored on her achievement, answering a query that she generally receives – “How did you do it?”
“The factor I all the time say is: not on my own,” Harrison mentioned. “It is my sailors, my mentors, my mates… It’s by the connections that we’ve got with our shipmates.”
Whereas Harrison’s development was a historic achievement for the Gunner’s Mate neighborhood, her milestone additionally signified a triumph for all enlisted Sailors as an indication of the progress that ladies have made within the navy.
Chief of Navy Reserve, Vice Adm. John Mustin presided on the occasion to acknowledge Harrison’s accomplishments and administer the oath of enlistment in entrance of her household and mates, in addition to guests of the memorial.
“It is a fairly vital accomplishment as a person milestone, but additionally for the service; in all probability lengthy overdue, however I could not be extra psyched to be right here to share this second with you,” Mustin mentioned in the course of the ceremony. “I’m thrilled that each one of you has a chance to mirror on this second as a result of we’re going to have the ability to look again on this and say that we have been there the second it occurred.”
By attaining the rank of E-9, Harrison joined a small fraction of management charged with bridging the hole between officers and enlisted personnel, whereas appearing as supervisors and advocates for his or her Sailors.
In step with ceremonial customs, Harrison additionally handed down her Senior Chief insignia to a Sailor who she believes is able to tackle larger accountability on the subsequent rank. Chief Gunner’s Mate Kali Larraga accepted them with an embrace.
As a part of her speech, Harrison acknowledged Larraga’s progress as a Sailor and chief. Elaborating extra throughout an interview, Harrison described how Larraga’s phrases helped her understand the burden of her achievement.
“She mentioned, ‘we’re on the lookout for somebody to point out us it may be performed’… that was an enormous eye-opener for me,” Harrison mentioned. “Wanting up and seeing someone who appears to be like such as you is a strong factor. She made me see that, and he or she in all probability doesn’t perceive the enormity of it, however someday she’s going to.”
Though Harrison’s promotion marks a primary for the service, unrestricted alternatives for ladies within the Navy weren’t all the time current.
Solely since 1994 has the service allowed ladies to lawfully work in fight roles, regardless of the vital positions that ladies have held within the Navy since 1908 when the Navy Nurse Corps was first established by Congress.
Through the years, the Navy has made strides towards the inclusion of ladies and all through her time in service, Harrison has witnessed first-hand the cultural shift concerning ladies within the navy.
“I bear in mind after I walked in [to my first command], I used to be requested if I used to be the brand new admin,” Harrison mentioned. “However I do not hear these questions anymore. I see it changing into extra commonplace to have females work in weapons fields. And I feel the one method that we proceed to drive that as a Navy is to take away the obstacles and take away the division.”
Dedicated to additional eradicating obstacles for Sailors, Harrison now works on the Chief of Naval Personnel headquarters, in Arlington, Virginia. Within the Navy’s Tradition and Power Resilience Workplace, main enlisted Sailors and advising a workforce of officers in issues that embody variety, fairness, and inclusion coverage updates and holistic help providers for the fleet.
Beforehand, Harrison delivered instructional coaching to the fleet on the Navy’s Warrior Toughness program, which emphasizes creating the bodily, psychological and religious well-being of Sailors.
Harrison has served within the Navy Reserve for 17 years, 14 of these years on energetic obligation orders. Throughout that point, she deployed to Iraq and Kuwait, accomplished a Bachelor’s diploma, a Grasp’s diploma and a Ph.D. in Schooling, whereas additionally elevating her younger sons, Logan and Trey.
“I all the time wished to point out my kids that it might be performed, and I used to be the primary of my siblings to even graduate,” Harrison mentioned.
Harrison’s accomplishments have demonstrated her drive, willpower and dedication to the Navy and to her household. Her story ought to function inspiration to not solely previous and current Sailors, but additionally to anybody who hopes to sometime serve within the armed forces.
“In the future, we will not be a Navy of firsts,” Harrison mentioned. “I sit up for that day.”
Harrison’s accomplishment was mirrored by Gunner’s Mate Senior Chief Jessica Saunders, who screened for Grasp Chief Petty Workplace by the Fiscal Yr 2024 Energetic-Obligation Navy E9 Screening Board in Might.
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