MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Army Sgt. Mya Harper, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, was recently promoted while serving with Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity (NMRLC NORA) Yorktown, Virginia.
Harper’s promotion from corporal to sergeant was effective May 1. A 2018 graduate of Great Bridge High School, Harper is also working toward an associate degree in general studies.
“This promotion is largely due to my civilian education,” Harper said. “Being able to attend college while being stationed at NORA has been the biggest blessing. Our command is fortunate that our leadership grants us the work-life balance to achieve educational goals. Additionally, getting awards for going on support missions and being cadre at major Army competitions has also given me the points I’ve needed to promote.”
Harper joined the Army more than four years ago. Today, Harper serves at the NMRLC NORA Optical Lab, a Joint Forces eyewear command, aboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.
Harper said the honor serves as motivation to continue to work hard in their military service.
“Being promoted to sergeant with only 4 1/2 years in service is no small feat in the medical ranks of the Army, especially within our optical specialty,” Harper said. “This promotion shows that all of my hard work and long nights of doing college homework, going on support missions, and trying to lead others in times when I was unsure of what was going on have paid off.”
Headed by U.S. Navy Capt. Christopher Barnes, NMRLC develops, acquires, produces, fields, sustains, and provides enduring lifecycle support of medical materiel solutions to the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high-end competition, crisis, and combat. At the forefront of Navy Medicine’s strategic evolution, NMRLC is well-positioned to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity.
NORA Yorktown is the largest of the 22 U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Optical Fabrication Labs and provides guidance to all military optical fabrication labs worldwide.
Harper has plans for the next phase of their military career.
“I recently applied and was accepted into a commissioning program with the U.S. Coast Guard, so I’ll soon be leaving to work my way up in the officer world,” Harper said. “Being promoted to sergeant before I leave has given me a major sense of accomplishment.”
Harper serves the United States alongside a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach