Lieutenant Commander Joseph Harrison began his naval career in March 1987 as a Cryptologic Technician (Technical), CTT. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and Business from Excelsior College in 2005 and graduated from the Naval War College in 2010 with a Masters in Strategic Studies with a concentration in terrorism. A former Chief Petty Officer, he was commissioned as a Cryptologic Limited Duty Officer in January of 2000 after 12 years as an enlisted Sailor.
Lieutenant Commander Harrison has completed ashore assignments at NSGA Okinawa Japan, NSA/CSS Fort Meade, Fleet Information Warfare Center Norfolk, Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force Norfolk, VA, Navy Information Operations Command Pensacola, Center for Information Dominance, Pensacola Florida and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC. Afloat assignments include USS Elliot (DD-967), deploying to Desert Storm, PCU Bataan and USS Bataan (LHD 5), Commander Amphibious Squadron Two embarked in USS Nassau (LHA 2), deploying to Desert Storm/Shield, and Division Officer on board USS Saipan (LHA 4) where he decommissioned her after her final deployment.
In 2007 he reported to NIOC Pensacola as the Operations Officer and was selected for lateral conversion to 1610(IW) from 6440(LDO). He reported to OPNAV staff in August of 2009 as a cyberspace action officer where he focused on furthering the Navy’s investment in cyberspace. In October of 2010 he was converted to 1810(IW) as the Information Dominance Corps (IDC) was established. He reported to his current assignment as Executive Officer of NCTS Sicily in April of 2012.
Lieutenant Commander Harrison’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, (four awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various campaign and service awards.