Gail Harris

Captain Gail Harris, United States Navy (Retired), is recognized for her contributions to American military intelligence and her role in advancing diversity and inclusion within the armed forces. Harris became the first woman in Naval history to serve as an intelligence officer in a Navy combat position, setting a precedent for women in military intelligence roles. At the time of her retirement, she was the highest-ranking African American woman in the Navy. Throughout her career, Harris was frequently the first female and first African American in her assignments, including serving as an instructor at the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Training Center at Lowry Air Force Base and as a member of the Office of Naval Intelligence's War Gaming Team Detachment at the Naval War College. She commanded Soviet Union Theater military forces during the Global War Games and led Defense Department intelligence support for the Olympics in South Korea, coordinating with U.S. and South Korean agencies. Harris also served as Acting Naval Attaché in Egypt, becoming the first female attaché to a Middle Eastern country.

Harris's leadership extended across major conflicts, including the Cold War, El Salvador, Desert Storm, and Kosovo. In her final military assignment, she developed intelligence policy for computer network defense and attack for the Department of Defense. Following her military service, Harris worked at Lockheed Martin as an intelligence subject matter expert, focusing on intelligence analysis and solutions for manned airborne intelligence aircraft.

Harris is the author of the memoir "A Woman's War: The Professional and Personal Journey of the Navy's First African American Female Intelligence Officer," which details her experiences in naval intelligence and the challenges she faced in the field. Her work has been profiled by BBC and Fox News, and she has been recognized by the Spy Museum. Harris has served as a consultant, advisor, and writer for organizations nationwide, and has contributed her expertise in intelligence and national security to strategic planning at the Naval War College.

Harris has delivered keynote addresses at major events, sharing insights on leadership, military intelligence, cyber warfare, and diversity in the armed forces. Her career reflects a commitment to advancing opportunities for women and African Americans in the military, providing intelligence analysis during international conflicts, and developing cyber defense strategies. Harris is regarded as an educator and expert speaker in the fields of military intelligence, cybersecurity, and national security.