Today, Captain Joseph “Joey” Harrison assumes command of the Joint Interagency Task Force South.  Captain Joseph Harrison’s biography follows:

Captain Joseph “Joey” Harrison, USN
Director of Intelligence & Security
Navy Element Commander
Joint Interagency Task Force South

Joseph “Joey” Harrison, a native of Eustis, Florida joined the U.S. Navy via the Delayed Entry Program in December 1986. He attended boot camp at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Orlando, Florida, in March 1987 and reported for initial cryptologic training at Corry Station Pensacola, Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Science in History and Business Administration from the Excelsior University of New York and a Master’s in National Security Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College and is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate Executive Seminar Program as well as the Joint Forces Staff College and is a Joint Qualified Officer.

At sea, he deployed aboard USS ELLIOT (DD-967) in support of Operation Desert Storm/ Shield. He PRE-Commissioned the USS BATAAN (LHD-5) as the leading petty officer, promoted to Chief Petty Officer and was selected for commissioning via the Limited Duty officer Program. He then served on the staff of COMPHIBRON TWO, embarked aboard USS NASSAU (LHA-4) as the Information Warfare Officer and Battle Watch Captain supporting Operations Enduring Freedom I/II. He was the Information Warfare Officer aboard USS SAIPAN (LHA-2), as well as various direct support assignments.

Staff and Ashore assignments include; U.S. Naval Security Group Activity Okinawa, Japan, NSA/ CSS Fort Meade, Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force as an operational test director, Navy Information Operations Command Norfolk, VA as a direct support officer, Information Warfare Training Command as an instructor and Basic Schools Training Branch Head, Navy Information Operations Command Pensacola as the Operations Officer, staff of the Chief of Naval Operations N39 as a cyberspace planner and Executive Assistant to N2N6F3. He was the first cross-detailed cryptologist to serve as Executive Officer of Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, onboard Naval Station Sigonella Italy; U.S. Fleet Forces Command as the Fleet Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for CTF-80 and the U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Head of Enlisted Information Warfare Assignments (PERS-408) at Navy Personnel Command prior to serving as the plank owning Commanding Officer of Cryptologic Warfare Activity SIXTY-SIX, (CWA-66), at Fort Meade Maryland. His most recent assignment was at United States Special Operations Command as the J3 Cyber Operations Branch Chief in a joint duty assignment.

Captain Harrison’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, (2 awards). the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal, (4 awards); Navy Achievement Medal, (5 awards); and various campaign and service awards.

Captain Harrison is married to his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Kerry S. Harrison. They have 3 adult girls, 3 grandchildren and 2 spoiled dogs.