PO1 Jameson Lee

← All Cadets | PO1 · Leading Petty Officer · Submarine Force-Bound

Journey & Inspiration

Jameson Lee walked into his first Cruiser Milwaukee drill in September 2021 as a 13-year-old with an interest in the Navy and not much else mapped out. Nearly five years later, he leaves the division as a Petty Officer First Class with 17 advanced trainings, seven promotions, and a clear destination: the United States Navy Submarine Force.

He says not having it all figured out at the start is exactly the point. "You don't have to know exactly who you want to become when you join. Sea Cadets gives you the experiences, mentors, and challenges that help you figure it out."

The Submarine Path

The most distinctive part of Jameson's record is how deliberately he pursued the submarine fleet. He completed three submarine-focused programs, covering both how the boats operate and how they're built:

• Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut: home of the Navy's primary submarine training command
• Submarine School, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: submarine operations from the Pacific Fleet side
• Ship Building, Danville, Virginia: a firsthand look at the technology, manufacturing, and industrial base behind America's submarine fleet

Very few Sea Cadets complete all three. For Jameson, they settled the question of what comes next. "The submarine trainings confirmed that the submarine force is where I want to be," he says. "They gave me a firsthand look at the teamwork, technical knowledge, and dedication that submarine service requires." He is now preparing to serve as a Navy Submarine Machinist's Mate.

Key Achievements

Beyond the submarine programs, Jameson trained in leadership, recruit training, Seabee operations, Coast Guard boating safety, photojournalism, and culinary arts across six or more states. "Sea Cadets challenged me to get outside my comfort zone," he says. "Every training taught me something different."

• 17 advanced trainings completed nationwide
• 7 promotions, from Seaman Recruit to Petty Officer First Class
• 8 military advancement courses completed
• 20+ medals, ribbons, and award entries
• Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet Medal
• Navy League Youth Medal (Theodore Roosevelt Award)

"The awards and promotions meant a lot," he says, "but the most rewarding part was being trusted to lead and teach other cadets."

Leading and Teaching

Jameson held four leadership billets at Cruiser Milwaukee: Master-at-Arms, Education Petty Officer, Assistant Leading Petty Officer, and Leading Petty Officer. He taught recruit orientation, drill, military knowledge, and leadership, and he went back four times as a Staff Cadet to train the cadets coming up behind him.

"Some of my best experiences were serving as a staff cadet at Recruit Training," he says. "Helping new cadets overcome the same challenges I once faced showed me how much I had grown."

His mentoring reached beyond the division, too. "Teaching younger students about submarines was one of my favorite experiences. Their excitement reminded me why I became interested in the Navy in the first place."

The Hard Days

Not every weekend was a highlight, and Jameson says the tough ones mattered most. "The difficult days were often the most valuable. Whether we were in the field at Fort McCoy or working through a demanding training, those were the experiences that built confidence."

They also taught him how a leader carries himself under pressure. "People are always watching how you respond when something is difficult. A leader stays calm, gets to work, and takes care of the team."

Service to Others

Jameson logged more than 90 documented community service hours across 18+ projects, supporting veterans, youth organizations, schools, food drives, civic groups, and local nonprofits throughout Wisconsin. Add dozens of drill weekends, recruiting events, and public outreach, and his record shows a cadet who kept showing up, year after year.

"Sea Cadets is what you make of it," he says. "If you show up, work hard, and take advantage of every opportunity, it can open doors you never expected."

What Comes With Him

Jameson heads toward the Submarine Force having already lived the Navy core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. "Nearly five years in Sea Cadets prepared me for more than a military career," he says. "It taught me discipline, responsibility, teamwork, service, and how to lead by example."

"I'm proud of how far I advanced, but I'm even more proud of the cadets I helped train and the younger students I encouraged."

Congratulations, PO1 Lee, and thank you for representing Cruiser Milwaukee Division with professionalism, leadership, and service. Fair winds and following seas.

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