Mayport Sailor Receives Bronze Star

"We are thrilled to have Senior Chief Misner back with us and we are honored by his selfless service in Iraq as part of the counter-IED (improvised explosive device) effort. We could not be more proud of him and the work he did to save lives," said Kersh.

Misner, a Long Island, New York native and Electronic Warfare technician, began his sixteen years of naval service after working for the Disney Corporation in Orlando, Florida. Following A-School in Pensacola, Florida, Misner served as ship's company aboard USS Independence, which was then homeported in Japan, followed by a return to the United States and service aboard USS Duluth, SIMA Mayport and USS Philippine Sea. Following his service aboard Philippine Sea, Senior Chief Misner transferred to Destroyer Squadron 24.

Misner's journey as an Individual Augmentee (IA) began when he attempted to volunteer for an IA while assigned to the Philippine Sea.

"In 2005 when Iraq was really blowing up, they asked for IAs and I volunteered, but was denied, so in March 2008, another IA (requirement) came out for someone in EW (Electronic Warfare)," said Misner.

Misner subsequently volunteered for the requirement and was accepted. Following a week of administrative processing and four weeks of Army ground training, Misner arrived in Mosul by way of Baghdad on November 8, 2008.

Misner's nine months in Iraq afforded opportunities to apply all the skills and leadership he has acquired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

According to Misner, the necessity for Navy Electronic Warfare support in Iraq occurred because the Army had moved away from traditional Electronic Warfare skills following the end of the Cold War.

"The Army lost many of its EW skills, especially its jamming skills, so it turned to the Air Force and Navy. The unit I worked for had developed a program and was in the process of turning it over to the Army. The Army created a new MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) for EW and we trained and guided their personnel on radar theory, operations and management," said Misner, who stresses that his time in Iraq allowed him to apply all of the skills he acquired to become a Chief.

According to Misner, not only his EW proficiency, but other expertise he has gained at sea paid dividends in Iraq.

"I also had a chance to apply my inventory and management skills since I was responsible for all of the systems that were being turned over from 2/3 ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment) to the 2-82 Field Artillery."

When asked what it was like to be a Navy Chief among the Army, Misner's reply demonstrates an approach that makes the Navy run.

"I was treated really well. I was a Navy guy doing an Army job. When someone asked me a question, I gave an answer. If I did not have the answer, I went out and got the answer. That is what Chiefs do."

According to Misner, the ability to solve problems and get answers applies to all Sailors.

"We [Sailors] are well-equipped and respected in the joint environment. There are things you learn in the Navy, or even things you do not think you know, that have practical applications out there. We are a can-do group. We are Sailors. If you drop a Sailor into a group of Soldiers, he will do well, always rise to the top because that is how we are trained, to be SMEs (subject matter experts)," said Misner.

Misner's observation of the Army illustrates many parallels to his impression of Sailors.

"The Army is a highly motivated group of patriots. They don't whine. If they are dealt a bad hand, it does not bother them. They just go out and do it," said Misner who also remarked that he would do another IA if given the opportunity.

"It (the IA) was a good deal. It was a good tour. It was a challenge and a chance to make a difference. I'd do it again," said Misner, whose next assignment is well-deserved shore duty in Pensacola.