Page 4 - San Diego Woman Military Coverage 2019

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN OF THE MILITARY

Chief Sonar Technician
KRYSTLE HARRIS

Chief Petty Officer Krystle Harris serves as the Divisional Chief
Petty Officer for Combat Acoustics Division on board USS Samp-
son (DDG 102) which is deployed conducting Maritime Security
Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations. A native of
Chicago, she enlisted in the Navy in 1999 out of a passionate
desire to serve her country. She quickly realized that the Navy
provided her with the opportunity to achieve her full potential
and has taken full advantage of that opportunity. In your first
encounter with her, you can see her genuine enthusiasm and
inherent leadership she projects which brings out the best in her
Sailors. The Navy benefited from this when she requested to be
stationed at Recruit Training Command where she was the first
encounter for recruits and provided a positive influence before
they headed out into the Fleet. On board Sampson, her philoso-
phy of empowerment, ownership, and accountability has been
the key contributor to the Division’s and ship’s success. While she
is in her element serving aboard a warship ensuring her Division
and Sailors succeed, it does come at a personal cost. It is a sacrifice
many mothers are forced to make and live with, that of leaving a
child behind for long periods of time. As painful as it is at times,
she continues down that path to ensure her son, and all sons
and daughters, has the opportunity for a safe upbringing. It is
also proof that you can be happy and successful doing both. She
continues to personify the best characteristics we seek in leaders
and the Navy is fortunate to have her being a positive role model
and bringing out the best in our Sailors. Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class
KATELEN NORRIS

Katelen Norris, born in Ventura County, Calif., was destined
to be a Boatswain’s Mate after enlisting in the Navy on July
2013. The BM rating is one of the oldest and richest rates in the
United States Navy. She is currently serving at Beachmaster
Unit ONE in Coronado, Calif., as the salvage officer, responsible
for directing the landing and movement of troops, equipment
and supplies over the beach, and directing salvage opera-
tions in the surf. She exhibits the same character, courage and
leadership abilities that Medal of Honor recipient BM1 James
Elliot Williams demonstrated during the Vietnam War. Growing
up in the military community of Ventura, she was positively
influenced through Navy outreach and volunteer programs.
Motivated by these experiences, she enlisted in the Navy after
earning two associate degrees. She seizes every opportunity to
give back to the local and overseas communities through Navy
community service programs. In 2016, she deployed on board
the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), where she earned her Enlisted
Surface Warfare Specialist qualification, in support of Operation
Inherent Resolve. In the fall of 2017, she opened her home to
family members and friends who were displaced after losing
their homes in Southern California wild fires. BM2 Norris recent-
ly returned from a successful deployment to the Middle East
where she participated in Exercise Native Fury 2018 and worked
with the U.S. Marine Corps and United Arab Emirates forces.

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