by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 26, 2021 | News, Podcast
In today’s episode, we have LT Twyla Arbuckle, USN who is the President of, NNOA San Diego Chapter. We talk about her life getting into the Navy and the experiences she has had in her career. We then go into her life as a navy recruiter and the unknown aspects that it brings as well as what recruiters look for in potential recruits.
“This is NNOA” is a weekly discussion about the news, views, and perspectives from around the National Naval Officers Association. As well as a look into the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and the United States Marine Corps. Every week a guest joins This is NNOA’s host CAPT Roosevelt “Rick” Wright Jr Ph.D., USN (Ret)
Audio Version: https://open.spotify.com/show/3s8pmKr… Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nnoaorg Twitter: https://twitter.com/NNOANational
by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 26, 2021 | Chaplain
Chaplain Corner’s Article March 2021
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
The story of Queen Esther saving her people is one of my favorite biblical story as it shows the history of women contributing to the betterment of their people and they made their voices heard in spite of possibly losing their very life. Often perpetuated through history men were lifted up as being the main characters in the bible. However, the story of Queen Esther is one of many who reaffirms that was indeed not always the case. Women have been at the forefront of every portion of history be it biblical or in the building of nations and countries.
Esther was placed in the King’s palace after the death of his wife by her cousin Mordecai. The king became smitten by Esther and she became his wife. There came a time when a decree was issued to kill all of the Jews. Mordecai went to Queen Esther to urge her to speak up to save her people. Mordecai reminded the queen that just because she was married to the king does not mean she was safe. Surely her and her family would die and God would send someone else to deliver the Jews. Mordecai continued to share with the queen that her entire life and purpose was for this moment right here. God placed Esther in a position of authority and gave her a seat at the table, not for herself but for others as well. He did not want her to forget it. Queen Esther had a lot to lose, including her life. However, she ultimately understood her purpose and stated before speaking to the king “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” By being fearless and realizing the favor of God was upon her for such a time as this, she saved her people.
I am reminded this month and every month the importance of women being a part of our history and legacy for such a time as this. There is not a moment in our history that women have not sacrificed, dedicated, and served for a purpose greater than themselves. I encourage us all today as we continue to serve and sacrifice for our country that we remember we have been chosen for such a time as this.
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy
by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 23, 2021 | News
RADM Alvin Holsey (USN), Commander of Navy Personnel Command, describes how the Task Force One Navy developed recommendations to improve Navy readiness by eliminating inequality and bias
A new report from Task Force One Navy lists more than 50 recommendations for the Navy to expand diversity and inclusion efforts in its ranks. Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey, Commander of the Navy Personnel Command and director of the task force, joined “Government Matters” to discuss the recommendations and how the Navy can take steps forward.
The task force’s recommendations fall into four main lines of effort. These include recruiting, talent management and retention, professional development and innovation and STEM. Holsey said the recommendations came from focus groups, listening sessions and surveys. The key themes he cited from these listening sessions were respect, empathy, training and skepticism. He said that people coming to the sessions weren’t sure the task force was going to make a difference.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 23, 2021 | News
The challenges with improving the quality of life for military families of color is not well understood. Blue Star Families has recently started a campaign called the Racial Equality Initiative. Please listen to this short podcast about it.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 18, 2021 | News
By John Konrad
When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, it faced a shortage of merchant mariners. With supplies in desperate needs overseas a massive sealift would require not only a huge fleet of cargo ships, but the seafarers to sail them. This opened the door a bit to black mariners for a range of shipboard jobs. One of the most dramatic stories of this era involved shipmaster Hugh Mulzac.
Born in the British West Indies in 1886, Mulzac went to sea after high school, sailing on British vessels. He later attended the Nautical School in Swansea, in the United Kingdom, earning a mate’s license. He sailed as a ship’s officer in World War I, and came to the United States, becoming a citizen in 1918.
By 1920, Mulzac passed the examination as a U.S. shipmaster, but there were no shipboard berths available to a black captain. Although he held a master’s license, which qualified him to be a ship’s captain, he worked for the next 20 years mostly in the steward’s department of various shipping lines. This was the only shipboard work he could find, and he became an expert in food service management.
READ FULL ARTICLE…