Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Kimberly Harris was selected as the Center for Security Forces 2022 Sailor of the Year. She is the first Sailor in the command's history to bear that honor for two consecutive years and one among tens of thousands of women in the Navy making a difference.
 
"Petty Officer Harris truly encourages others to operate at a higher level, and Sailors thrive under her leadership and mentorship as the leading petty officer at Learning Site Gulfport," said CENSECFOR Commanding Officer Capt. Douglas Pegher. "She is a role model for peers, subordinates, and seniors alike."
 
"I was at a loss for words when I learned I was selected as the Sailor of the Year for the second year in a row," said Harris. "I was convinced there was no way I could win it again, and after the announcement, I was sitting there in shock and overwhelmed with a feeling of great accomplishment."
 
Harris credits her passion for excelling in and completing whatever tasks she is assigned as what sets her apart from other candidates competing for the honor of being selected as the command's SOY.
 
"Women in military service have achieved great success over the last 50 years, and we're still doing a lot of 'firsts' for women," said Harris as she reflected on the progression of women in the military. 

March is Women's History Month, a month that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of women throughout history. Harris noted two of the most recent achievements of women in the U.S. Navy: Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Cowan and Lt. Amanda Lee.
 
Cowan, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, became the first woman to serve as executive officer on a U.S. Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, and Lee, of Mounds View, Minnesota, was the first woman to join the Blue Angels team as a F/A-18E/F demonstration pilot.
 
"It's very empowering to see that it's not taken women 50 years to achieve success but that we, as women, have achieved excellence throughout the past 50 years and with more great achievements to come," said Harris.
 
Harris encourages her fellow Sailors never to let anyone tell them they cannot achieve something saying, "Success is not final and failure is not fatal, it's the courage we have that helps us to continue throughout life."
 
In addition to advancing in rank, Harris shared that her ongoing goal is to become the leader she desires to be, noting that growth occurs every day and that no one is perfect, and growth is a big part of a naval career.
 
"I strive to continue improving myself as a Sailor and a leader so I can better the Sailors whom I work and interact with daily," said Harris.
 
The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 20,000 students annually. It has 14 training locations across the United States and worldwide, carrying the motto: "Where Training Breeds Confidence."