Coppell, Texas native receives Junior Officer of the Year honors at Japan-based command

FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan -- A Coppell, Texas native is Commander, Submarine Group 7’s (CSG7) 2019 Junior Officer of the Year.

CSG7’s Junior Officer of the Year is recognized through a highly competitive process as the highest performing junior officer that fully embodies the Navy core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

Lt. Grant Morgan began his naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007 and earned his commission in 2011. Morgan is currently assigned to CSG7 in Yokosuka, Japan.

At CSG7, Morgan works in submarine operations and planning, assisting in the safe navigation of submarines during their routine patrols in 5th and 7th Fleet and as a Submarine Watch Officer.

“I enjoy the level of planning and support we provide for all submarines operating in 5th and 7th Fleets. Far from a typical office job, we work for our Admiral at the front lines of planning for some of the most exciting and important missions in our Navy,” said Morgan.

“As a Submarine Watch Officer, I get to represent [Rear Adm. Jimmy Pitts, Commander, Submarine Group 7], to all submarines in our area of responsibility. My current position has provided me an enriching opportunity to work with allies in Japan towards common goals of safety and stability in the Western Pacific.”

Aside from the operational aspect of his position, Morgan appreciates the experience that living in a foreign country such as Japan has brought him, and how welcoming the Japanese people are.

“I expected life in Japan to be an adventure, but I thought it would be difficult to be immersed in a foreign culture for over two years. Quickly I realized that the Japanese people, culture, history, food, etc. would make this season of my life a remarkable time. Being stationed in Japan has given me the opportunity to grow personally through close friendships and cultural exchange with wonderful new Japanese friends and, most importantly, allowed me to meet my lovely fiancé Yuko,” said Morgan.

Morgan’s constant positivity and commitment to excellence is what ultimately led to his recognition as CSG7’s Junior Officer of the Year, according to Lt. Cmdr. Jasen Hicks, Morgan’s immediate supervisor.

“LT Morgan excels at everything asked of him and promotes positivity at all times. This infectious positivity creates a positive work environment and it motivates those around him to follow suit. His even keel approach to problems and tasking is a model for others to follow,” said Hicks

Morgan credits his success to God, his parents and his close relationship with his siblings, and mentors.

“I thank God for all of His undeserved blessings and my parents for supporting me along every step of the journey, instilling the value of service in my siblings and me. My close relationships with my brother, Shane, and sisters, Heidi and Kathleen, helped give me the perspective and humor needed to endure difficult deployments,” said Morgan.

“I also would thank the wonderful officers and crew on the USS Texas (SSN 775) and at Submarine Group 7 who became my family, friends, and support as we either succeeded or failed as a team. Ultimately, success in the submarine community is not about the individual, but on how well your team works together.”

With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the Indo Pacific region, the U.S. has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. CSG7 is responsible for coordinating a diverse fleet of submarines, surface ships and aircraft deployed to the Western Pacific and the Middle East; two forward-deployed submarine tenders and four attack submarines homeported in Guam; Submarine Squadron 21 in Bahrain; five surveillance towed array sensor system vessels and three oceanographic survey vessels when tasked for Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare operations. Under CSG7 are two task forces: CTF-74 and CTF-54, which provide theater anti-submarine warfare support from the Red Sea to the International Date Line.