Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services

CMDCM (Ret.) Octavia D. Harris, USN

DACOWITS Position

  • Employment and Integration Subcommittee Chair

Other Positions/Employment/Community Involvement

  • Former Chair, Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for the Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Texas Ambassador for the Women In Military Service For America Memorial (Women's Memorial)
  • Member, San Antonio Texas Women Veterans Association
  • Disabled American Veterans active in local chapter/state chapter and National (DAV)
  • Military and Veteran Women Military Consultant on transition support (volunteer)

Prior Military Service or Affiliation

  • Retired from the U.S. Navy in 2012, after 30 years
  • Program Manager Naval Medical Center, San Diego Comprehensive Advanced Restorative Effort (CARE program) managing care and “warm handoffs” from DoD to VA care of the DoD’s most critically injured service members to VA advanced care

Highest Education (Military/Civilian)

  • University of Arkansas, Master of Science in Operations Management, specializing and certified in Healthcare and Safety Management.

Achievements/Awards/Recognition

  • Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3)
  • Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2)
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5)
  • Other medals and campaign awards recognizing overseas service and deployments to the Mediterranean, South China Sea, Persian Gulf/Middle Eastern region, Horn Of Africa, and other parts of the world in support of Global War on Terrorism
  • Other various operations and unit achievements, including Battle Efficiency
CMDCM (Ret.) Octavia D. Harris, USN

Employment and Integration Subcommittee Chair