SAN DIEGO – Seaman Jasaiah Harris, a native of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Scranton, a fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma.
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| Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Harris is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Harris graduated from Republic High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Goodlettsville.
“One lesson that I learned from my hometown is to always have a positive outlook on life,” Harris said. “It can definitely help you be successful when completing and executing the mission.”
Harris joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Harris serves as an information systems technician (electronic warfare).
“I joined the Navy for better opportunities,” Harris said. “I wanted to do something better with my life and be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in support of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, like Scranton, have been the backbone of the submarine force for the last 40 years, with approximately 23 in service. Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
Equipped with 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, Scranton is only slightly longer than a football field at 360 feet long and 33 feet across at its widest point. Scranton is crewed by more than 140 enlisted sailors and officers.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Harris serves aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
Harris has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm most proud of earning the title of Most Improved Sailor from my ‘A’ school during graduation,” Harris said. “Being able to graduate while earning this gave me a sense of pride and joy.”
Harris is also proud of the physical fitness standards he maintained while at boot camp.
“I can say that I am proud of being able to do the most push-ups in my division in boot camp,” Harris said. “This still motivates me to this day to keep going and to push myself to the limit.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Harris said. “It means that I can be a part of something bigger than myself as well as being a part of history.”
Harris is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mother back home as well as all my Navy instructors from ‘A’ school,” Harris said. “My mother has supported my decision to join and has always been there for me. My Navy leadership has also been there to make sure that I am well taken care of every day.”