Vicksburg native Navy Lt. Joseph Brisco has reached a high point in his career and the recognition of his peers with his nomination as a Surface Warfare Officer of the Year finalist.

The award is presented by the Commander, Naval Surface Force of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The award recognizes the officer who best personifies the ideals of the surface warrior characteristics, including excellence in warfighting, leadership and mission accomplishment through superior professionalism and personal example.

“Being a finalist is truly an honor I can share with my team, so it means a lot,” said Brisco, who is operations officer on board the amphibious warfare ship USS Green Bay.

“The men and women of Green Bay have executed and accomplished some extraordinary feats this year, performing the seemingly impossible with ease. This recognition is more of a reflection of their exemplary efforts.

“It was an honor and a blessing to even have been nominated for this prestigious award. Being a top three finalist of all the candidates considered is just humbling.”

“His father and I did our best to raise him right and brought him up in church,” said his mother, Linda Brisco. “He’s done very well in the Navy, going the way he is going, and we’re so proud of him. They couldn’t have picked a better person and I’m sure his crewmates think so, too.”

“When he set a goal, he was always committed to achieving that,” his father, Joe Brisco Sr., added. “He was always committed in school; he never missed a day, and his work ethic continued into military. He never wanted to miss a day.”

An honor graduate of Vicksburg High School, Brisco has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia College, and a master’s degree in human resource development and a master of business administration from Webster University.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1996, and was commissioned an ensign in November 2006. He has served on the carriers USS John F. Kennedy and Kitty Hawk, the frigate John L. Hall, and shore stations as chief electronics technician for naval computers and telecommunication at naval stations in Jacksonville, Fla., and officer programs department head for the Jacksonville Naval Recruiting District.

He joined the Green Bay as operations officer in 2015. The ship is part of the BonHomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group.

He has been selected for early command, the opportunity to command his own ship, will soon transfer to prospective commanding officer training for his next tour.

As operations officer, Brisco oversees the ship’s long and short term scheduling, planning, training, navigation, intelligence, public affairs and multiple warfare areas while maintain a $1.4 million budget. He is also the tactical action officer responsible for the employment of the ship’s weapons systems.

Brisco’s commanding officer, Capt. Nathan Moyer, said he’s proud of the hard work and dedication that Brisco has exemplified.

“He is highly deserving of this recognition,” Moyer said. “I have served with very few officers as determined, focused and as capable as him. He drives the pulse of the ship. As our operations officer, he plans and coordinates each and every phase of the ship’s operational schedule while masterfully detailing the execution of that plan.

“Since reporting aboard 18 months ago, Green Bay has succeeded in the accomplishment of all operational requirements and certifications. We have him to thank for that. Without his foresight and vision, this ship’s success would not have been possible.”

In Navy slang, Brisco is a “mustang,” an officer who made his way up through the enlisted ranks.

“Coming from the enlisted ranks has definitely been an advantage,” he said. “Having walked in their shoes, you better understand the sailors you are charged to lead. Additionally as a mustang, you have gained unique experience in planning, execution, and oversight at various levels. This experience is invaluable in conducting and orchestrating increasingly complex missions and exercises.

“In the Navy you meet and work closely with personnel from all walks of life,” added Brisco. “The perspective, life lessons, camaraderie, challenges and life-long friendships are hard to match in any other occupation. Additionally, in the 19 years I’ve been in the Navy, I have had the opportunity to visit multiple cities in over 25 countries across five continents by way of three oceans. These visits have provided opportunities for both leisure and community service.”