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Leadership Lesson from a Navy 06

Leadership Lesson from a Navy 06

by | Jun 15, 2025 | Leadership Lessons

Leadership Philosophy:

Grow into understanding

God has been unwavering in his grace and mercy over my life…my career. Growing as a leader, having more responsibility and more expectations (Luke 12:48); faith had to be my cornerstone. Leaders are constantly observed by those around them including aspiring individuals. Each decision, each act, each word says something about you as a person and a leader. The more you believe and grow in your faith, the more your patience and understanding grows. Surround yourself with positive affirmation, keep your moral compass stabilized, and exercise your beliefs to maintain balance.

Aim to achieve more

Always do your best. The Navy is a tough environment. There are times you have to work 5X harder to achieve the same results as your peers. Enjoying what you do, will make you want more, do more and achieve more. New assignment, new environment, learn fast, stay focused and confident. Continuously look for the opportunity to learn and improve. . .as a person, as a Sailor, as a leader.

Be the best you, you can be

Be confident in yourself. Recognize your ability, knowledge and experiences brought you where you are. There is not a requirement to fit in or be the same, however teamwork is key. Consistently communicate and continue to gain education.
We are all different, our minds, outlooks, and talents . . . these differences build strong teams, leaders, and accomplishments.

Help others

Be a mentor, be an example. The road was paved but every day there are new trails being blazed. People learn and observe from everyone one around them. These experiences enable them to paint the picture of their future. . .their goals. People often seek out someone with something in common; career paths, life experiences, personality, etc. Be a positive influence. Share your experiences and knowledge. At some point, your representation is no longer about you but those that you encounter and see an opportunity for themselves.

Captain James R. Wyatt, USN (Ret.)

by | Jun 15, 2025 | TAT

This fireside chat, hosted by Captain Donald “Biscuit” Nisbet (USN, Ret.), featured Captain James Wyatt (USN, Ret.), Senior VP of Strategy and Business Development at Sparton, a leading supplier of sonobuoys and undersea warfare capabilities. Capt. Wyatt shared his transition journey from the Navy to the defense industry, offering candid insights, practical advice, and lessons learned from his career and post-military experiences.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

1. Value of Relationships

  • Managed relationships—mentorship, sponsorship, and friendships—played the most critical role in both his Navy and civilian careers.
  • He emphasized continuous engagement rather than transactional networking, citing long-time mentor CAPT Andy Wins as pivotal.
  • Personal connections (e.g., ADM Haney, ADM Harris, VADM Grooms) directly facilitated his post-military opportunities.

2. Career & Transition Path

  • Navy Career: Spanned nearly 39 years, starting as an enlisted air traffic controller and culminating as a P-3 NFO and senior staff officer.

  • Post-Navy Transitions:

    • Raytheon: Entered business development via mentor referral. Described it as a “war room” full of retired O-6s. Supported missile and naval gun systems.
    • Sparton: Moved to a smaller company, took on broader responsibilities (strategy, comms, marketing), and emphasized the difference between large and mid-tier companies.

3. Lessons from Transitioning

  • Start early: Don’t wait until the last moment—he began too late, but was fortunate due to strong mentorship and networking.
  • Multiple Transition Courses: TAP, MOAA, Korn Ferry—all offered unique value (resume prep, interviews, civilian expectations).
  • Terminal Leave: Used all ~100 days. Highlighted the lengthy onboarding process in industry and the importance of understanding DoD post-employment rules.

4. Business Development vs. P&L Roles

  • Business Development is often an easier entry for transitioning officers, especially from operational Navy communities.
  • P&L Roles offer more responsibility, higher compensation—but come with greater pressure and accountability.
  • Encourages identifying your ambition level early in “Phase Two” (civilian career) to shape your path accordingly.

5. Phased Career Philosophy

  • Phase One – Active duty career: Service, performance, and advancement.
  • Phase Two – Civilian industry: Build wealth, explore different sectors.
  • Phase Three – Purpose-driven work: Travel, volunteer, or retire on your terms.
  • He’s currently focused on winning a major contract at Sparton before entering Phase Three in ~2 years.

6. Diversity and Opportunity

  • Acknowledged the lack of African-Americans in senior industry roles.
  • Committed to recruiting and mentoring diverse candidates, with open positions posted via NNOA.
  • Encouraged candidates—especially women and those without elite networks—to reach out directly and use organizations like NNOA to leverage relationship-based opportunities.

Final Advice from Capt. Wyatt:

  • Leverage relationships at every level—peers, mentors, senior leaders—for mentorship, referrals, and compensation insights.
  • Be clear about your goals in the civilian sector—whether it’s work-life balance or career ambition.
  • Use your network to open doors, even if your resume doesn’t check every box.
  • Stay prepared and proactive in job searches, especially when transitioning between companies.

Opportunities:

  • Captain Wyatt is currently hiring for roles in business development and marketing at Sparton.

He encourages anyone interested to reach out through NNOA or directly, and emphasizes his willingness to mentor or connect others through his professional network (“Bubba Net”).

Leadership Lessons from a Navy 06

Leadership Lessons from a Navy 06

by | Jun 14, 2025 | Leadership Lessons

Leadership Philosophy:

Core principles:

  • Dignity & Respect: Treat everyone with the same respect you’d expect, regardless of their position.
  • Humility: Remain grounded and remember your origins, avoiding the pitfalls of job perks.
  • Integrity: Always choose to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult or unseen.
  • Transparency: Maintain open and honest communication with your team.
  • Compliance: Adhere to rules and regulations, promptly correcting any deviations and owning up to mistakes. He stresses the importance of asking questions to foster learning.
  • Relationships Matter: Cultivate professional relationships as they can be invaluable in the future.
  • Humor: Maintain a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and thick skin, recognizing that laughter makes life more enjoyable.
TAT – Vice Admiral Bruce Grooms

TAT – Vice Admiral Bruce Grooms

by | Jun 13, 2025 | TAT

Vice Admiral Bruce Grooms (Ret.) shared extensive career insights and personal experiences to help military personnel transition successfully into civilian careers. The session, part of the NNOA’s fireside chat series, was moderated by fellow senior leaders and focused on networking, professional readiness, and the realities of post-military life.

Key Points from Admiral Grooms:

  1. Importance of Networking:
  • Career transitions are heavily dependent on relationships.
  • Most opportunities come from people you know—not resumes.
  • Cultivate your network intentionally. Know personal details about key contacts to build authentic connections.
  • Avoid only reaching out when you need something; maintain genuine relationships.
  1. Resume Advice:
  • Resumes are necessary but rarely lead to jobs on their own.
  • Most hiring is driven by referrals and internal contacts.
  • Tailor each resume to a specific opportunity; don’t rely on generic versions.
  1. Job Interviews and Offers:
  • Every conversation with a company is part of your interview.
  • Research company executives, their writing, and public appearances before interviews.
  • Be strategic in interviews—let the interviewer talk and show genuine interest.
  • Never discuss compensation until an offer is made.
  • Do not accept the first offer immediately; always pause and negotiate professionally.
  • Consider all aspects of compensation: base salary, bonuses, stock options, 401(k), relocation packages, etc.
  1. Business Acumen:
  • Understand profit and loss (P&L) fundamentals; it’s critical in the private sector.
  • Learn how to read financial statements like 10-Ks and 10-Qs.
  • Military officers should work to shed the perception that they lack business understanding.
  1. Defense Industry Transition:
  • Most veterans move into defense industry roles—this is common and acceptable.
  • These jobs can be volatile; always be thinking about your next move.
  • Business development is a common entry point, but understanding P&L makes you more valuable and less expendable.
  1. Ethical Standards:
  • The private sector may not always match military ethics. Be prepared to navigate gray areas without compromising your values.
  • Maintain documentation when facing ethical concerns to protect yourself.
  1. Security Clearance & Planning:
  • Be aware of timelines for periodic reinvestigations; these can affect post-service opportunities.
  • Plan your retirement timing accordingly to maintain clearance eligibility.
  1. Advice for Junior Officers:
  • Transition strategies may differ by rank, but networking and preparation remain key.
  • Don’t rely solely on seniority or time served—strategize your exit based on career goals and opportunities.
  • Balance loyalty with practicality—if a better opportunity arises post-transition, take it.
  1. Final Reflections:
  • Know when it’s time to leave—don’t stay too long if upward mobility is unlikely.
  • Value your skills and experience. Be ready to learn new things and adapt.
  • Leverage organizations like NNOA for mentorship, networking, and honest feedback.

Closing Remarks:
Vice Admiral Grooms emphasized integrity, preparedness, and relationships as cornerstones of successful transitions. He encouraged attendees to reach out for support and continue lifting others as they advance.

President’s Message 2025

by | Feb 9, 2025 | Private

NNOA President’s

State of the Association Message

February 2025

Greetings Members!

As we celebrate Black History Month, the State of our Association is best characterized as resilient, agile, and evolving as our Nation faces unprecedented challenges. NNOA will meet our collective challenges with professionalism, intellect, and resolve as we continue our mission of supporting recruitment, retention, and readiness of a talented and effective officer corps in support of our All-Volunteer Sea Services. The main purposes of this message are: 1) to restate our goals, 2) to communicate guidance to active duty and federal civilian members, 3) to provide a call to action for our veterans; and 4) to present some near-term next steps.

  • Our goals remain to grow our membership, to grow our partnerships, and to grow our influence and impact. The current challenges present unique conditions for us to maximize our pursuit of those goals while taking care of our Active-Duty and Veteran members. Additionally, we are refining our network of like-minded corporate and organizational partners as we finalize incorporating the NNOA Foundation. Doing so will increase our autonomy through financial independence while strengthening our ability to make a positive impact through scholarships, STEM Programs, and other activities. We are fortunate to have Retired Navy Captain Tony Swain leading this effort as the Foundation’s Executive Director.
  • Guidance to active duty and federal civilian members.
    1. Comply with policies, rules, and lawful orders.
    2. Stay positive, professional, and vigilant. You are a warrior and part of the world’s finest All-Volunteer Force!
    3. Protect your career, your livelihood, and your integrity.
    4. Reduce or cease your NNOA duties and activities, if necessary.
    5. Do your main job with excellence.
    6. Take care of yourself and your team.
    7. Communicate concerns with your supervisor in a professional manner.
    8. Do not use government resources (e.g. time, phones, etc.) for NNOA business.
    9. Do not make impulsive decisions about your career or your livelihood.
    10. Seek advice from your NNOA network.
    11. Help and advise other NNOA members whenever possible.
    12. Invite other officers who could use our mentoring & coaching services to join.
    13. Seek counsel from our Veterans and Transition Assistance Team, as needed.
    14. Stay connected with others in your support networks.
    15. Continue to embrace our history and heritage.
  • Call-to-action for our Veterans. We need everyone to do more! Our Association’s doors remain open for current and future members as we navigate our way through these challenging times. We need you to step up and volunteer for leadership positions at the Chapter and National levels to reduce the risk to our Active-Duty Members. Retired and Veteran leaders provide a measure of experience and continuity to our chapters that will help stabilize operations, maintain community outreach, execute scholarship programs, and grow membership while mentoring others, as needed. Please get more involved and/or bring others with you. Additionally, please join our monthly Veterans Roundup, our TAT Fireside Chats, and your Chapter meetings, as they occur.
  • Ongoing Actions & Next Steps. I am honored to report that 2024 was a very successful year for NNOA. Our highlights included, but are not limited to, a successful Joint Symposium with ANSO that exceeded both capacity and expectations. We also worked with Congress to initiate House Resolution 8008 which proposed the Congressional Gold Medal for the Navy’s Golden Thirteen. Unfortunately, our priorities of 2025 have been adjusted as we pivot to meet other challenges. For example, we will not have a traditional symposium this year due to the absence of service support, nor do we expect to complete the Congressional Gold Medal approval process. However, we will keep pressing forward. Below are some near-term mandates that have occurred or will be implemented soon:
    1. Adjust our policies, procedures, and webpage so as not to place active-duty members and federal employees at risk (Completed)
    2. Establish a Communications Committee to expand our reach across all platforms (Completed)
    3. Establish a Strategic Planning Committee to develop COAs for BoD consideration (Initiated)
    4. Establish a President’s Forum to strengthen chapter operations and continuity (Completed)
    5. Establish a Membership Committee (Completed)
    6. Incorporate NNOA Foundation to increase autonomy through financial independence (Initiated)
    7. Review NNOA’s contractual agreement with the Hyatt Regency Crystal City to determine our options (Initiated)

We have accomplished a lot and there is a lot more to be done!

We will continue to focus on immediate actions to support our active-duty warriors and federal civilian members, while adjusting and managing other actions that are important to the long-term health and wellness of our 53-year-old all-volunteer organization.

Let’s keep the faith and keep pressing! We remain stronger together!

Cedric E. Pringle
RDML (Retired) USN
25th President

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7