Coon Valley native recognized for 24 years of service as Navy Equipment Operator

The Public Affairs Office with the Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center reports that Coon Valley native, and Navy Senior Chief, Joshua Harr is retiring after 24 years of service in the Navy, at the United States Navy Seabee Museum, Naval Base Ventura County, Calif., as of March 20, 2025. 

Harr served his final duty station at Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) in the Operations Department, where he supported the Fleet and warfighter with science, technology, research, development, testing, evaluation, acquisition and in-service engineering, and the performance of lifecycle logistics management for expeditionary and special warfare forces.  In addition, he managed assignments, training and drills for military members aboard EXWC. 

A native of Coon Valley, Wisconsin, Harr enlisted in November 2001 and served around the globe in the most austere and challenging environments, operating construction equipment, cranes, forklifts, and heavy transportation vehicles, and working on the construction of buildings, roads, airfields, and forward operating bases, while providing line haul operations in support of Department of Defense mission.

Senior Chief’s Full Bio Below:

Senior Chief Joshua Harr is a native of Coon Valley, WI. He  enlisted in the Navy in November 2001 and attended basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois.

In February of 2002, Senior Chief Harr reported to Equipment Operator “A” School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri before proceeding to his first duty station at Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FORTY in Port Hueneme, CA. During this tour, he made deployments to Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Kuwait, Afghanistan, San Clemente Island and Iraq. Upon completion of his first tour,  he had advanced to Second  Class Petty Officer and qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist.

In January 2007, he transferred to NSWG-1 LOGSU in Coronado,  CA. He was stationed there from  2007 to January 2010 serving as an Equipment Operator and License Examiner and advancing to First Class Petty Officer.

In June 2011, EOCS Harr transferred to NMCB FIVE where he completed deployments to Djbouti, Africa, Targu Mures, Romania, Okinawa, Japan, Guam and the Philippines.  While in NMCB Five he held the positions of Transportation Supervisor, Quality Control Inspector and Lead Petty Officer.

In December 2015, he transferred Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWO FIVE in Port Hueneme, CA. While there, he served as the LPO and Operations.  In August 2017, EOCS was selected and accepted as a Chief Petty Officer, going onto fulfill the Training LCPO position.

Senior Chief Harr reported to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE in June 2018.  In July of 2021, Senior Harr was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer.  He completed deployments to Okinawa, Japan, Iwakuni, Japan and Detail Guam Assistant Officer in Charge.

In November 2021, he transferred to Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Port Hueneme, CA where he was assigned to Expeditionary Production Department. He is currently assigned as NAVFAC EXWC Operations Chief.

Senior Chief Harr is a qualified Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist. He holds and Associate of Art in English, an Associate of Art in Arts and Humanities from Coastline Community College and is currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina Upstate Bachelor of Arts English program. His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (6), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Award, Battle Efficiency “E” Ribbon (5), Navy Good Conduct Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal(2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (10) and Expert Rifle Medal.