Detroit, Michigan Native Supports Submarine Group in U.S. 7th Fleet

Courtesy Photo | Navy portrait of Yeoman Submarines 2nd Class Lamar Harris (courtesy photo).  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

07.31.2022

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Robert Reinheimer 

Commander, Submarine Group Seven

YOKOSUKA, Japan – While Detroit Navy Week festivities recently concluded back in Michigan, a Detroit-native and Denby High School graduate is currently serving in the Navy and stationed in Yokosuka, Japan as part of Commander, Submarine Group 7 (CSG 7).

Yeoman (Submarines) 2nd Class Lamar Harris joined the Navy in March 2012 and was assigned to Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines USS Miami (SSN 755) and then USS Buffalo (SSN 715) before coming to Japan and serving as part of the team at CSG 7.

As a yeoman, he works in the Administration office, where he is the Assistant Leading Petty Officer. His workload varies, but during a normal day he could be preparing, typing and routing correspondence and reports, organizing and maintaining files, performing office personnel administration, maintaining records and official publications or serving as an office manager, ensuring administrative systems work so staff can accomplish their daily tasks.

“My favorite thing about working here is that once I get out of work, I am able to explore and have fun in Japan,” said Harris. “I joined the Navy for financial stability, educational benefits, and for travel opportunities to help me understand more about the diversity of different areas—whether in the U.S. or around the world.”

Submarine Group 7 is responsible for coordinating a diverse fleet of submarines, surface ships and aircraft deployed to the Western Pacific and the Middle East; two forward-deployed submarine tenders and five attack submarines homeported in Guam; Submarine Squadron 21 in Bahrain; five ocean surveillance ships when tasked for theater anti-submarine warfare operations, and two oceanographic survey vessels. Under CSG 7 are two task forces: CTF-74 and CTF-54, which provide theater anti-submarine warfare support from the Red Sea to the International Date Line.

Looking back on his upbringing, Harris credits his hometown of Detroit with instilling within himself a sense of quiet confidence.

“Detroit has definitely helped me develop a tougher mentality and, with that, I became more confident in my Navy career,” said Harris. “I’m able to work under stressful situations and keep calm and focus on a solution whenever a problem arises.”

Harris’s hard work helped him secure the title of Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ) for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. CSG 7’s JSOQ program recognizes one E-5 each quarter who represents the best of the Navy by demonstrating both professional and personal dedication.

When his time at CSG 7 comes to a close in February of 2023, Harris will be heading to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to join the crew of USS Tucson (SSN 770).

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 7, visit www.csp.navy.mil/csg7/.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2022
• Date Posted: 08.01.2022 21:35
• Story ID: 426210
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP
• Hometown: DETROIT, MI, US