MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Tiffani Harris, a native of Mentor, Ohio, is serving aboard USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Harris, a 2015 graduate of Mentor High School, joined the Navy four years ago.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities, to travel and to make new friends,” said Harris. "In the Navy, I have traveled to 13 different countries and had the opportunity to meet and work with people from different backgrounds and cultures."
Today, Harris relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Mentor to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned that humility and always finding the positive side in things will get you the furthest in life,” said Harris. "If you are constantly focusing on how bad something is, it really defeats the purpose of enjoying the moment.”
These lessons have helped Harris while serving in the Navy.
Jason Dunham is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The 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 Jason Dunham. 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.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Harris is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The U.S. Navy is instrumental in maintaining the security of our borders,” said Harris. "We are here to protect our coasts and the ideals of freedom and democracy."
Harris and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm proud of a couple of accomplishments,” said Harris. “Professionally, I'm proud of being advanced to petty officer second class because of how challenging it is and the advancement percentages are so low. Personally, I'm proud of my Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. I received that for rendering life-saving aid to a civilian who had fallen and hit her head."
As Harris and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is a very humbling and rewarding experience,” said Harris. "I do this for my family, friends and for everyone who would love to join the military but doesn't have the opportunity to do so."
Harris is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Scott Harris,” added Harris. "He has given me continued support regardless of my decisions and is always being straightforward about all of my options."