Essay Contest Winners
President’s Message
From the Desk of the President
Please join me in support of a great program designed to increase diversity in STEM, specifically CYBER. Major Luke Wright, USMC (Retired) is leading an outstanding program at Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC) in Washington D.C. With a very diverse and inclusive Naval Junior ROTC program that has sent several young men and women into commissioning programs, it is truly inspirational to see how young lives are being changed daily. Please consider supporting Major Wright’s students so they can attend a 3D Printer Camp run by the Cyber Bytes Foundation.
The cost for the 3D printer camp is $3,000 per cadet and the cost for the build your PC camp is $2,000 per cadet. These costs include all materials which the students get to take home, meals, and lodging for the week. The camp starts the 3rd week of July 2022. Funding is required 30 days prior NLT June 18.
CHEC NJROTC would like to send 6-8 students to one of these camps. The 3D printer camp is the preferred camp. Students are using school issued tablets/devices in school and their smartphones most of the time. Due to the access to other online mediums, they may not use the desktops they built again after camp; however, the 3D printer gives students the ability to build, create, and design assets they didn’t have the capability to do previously. The 3D printer connects well with arts, medical advancements, engineering, automotive industry, toy industry and much more. CHEC NJROTC appreciates any support that can be provided to develop our cadets into tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.
Please go to the Cyber Bytes Foundation link below and specify “This donation is for Major Luke Wright’s Navy JROTC / CHEC campers” in the memo block.
https://cyberbytesfoundation.org/donate/
Very respectfully,
Sinclair Harris
RADM USN Retired
A corrupt throne would issue laws (decrees) that would bring misery rather than joy. May 2022
Chaplain Corner Article
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delights my soul.”- Psalm 94:19
The Psalmist in this text is having a hard time dealing with how the world is evolving. He sees the wicked increase in power and no harm seems to come to them regardless of how they live their lives. It appears as if they can have a disregard for human decency, morals, and seeking God without any repercussions.
He begins to lament out of frustration. He abides by the laws, customs, and traditions. He is an excellent human and treats others well. Yet, he and others (the righteous) who choose to do what is right, even when no one is looking, always get the short end of the stick. The Psalmist continues to address the corrupt King and government and the lack of lawlessness in the land. A corrupt throne would issue laws (decrees) that would bring misery rather than joy. Such laws would give an opportunity to the wicked while suppressing the righteous. Even with all the chaos in the world, the Psalmist says first, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. Then, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delights my soul.”- Psalm 94:18-19
The Psalmist understands that because of who he has faith in and who God has been in the past, he can rest assured that even when he feels like he cannot make it another step and seems anxious over life, he is never alone. God is there to comfort him and walk with him even in his darkest times.
I think there is so much we can learn from the Psalm because while some things in history change, others remain the same. Most of us can probably identify with the Psalmist’s lament as what we see in our current society resembles Psalm 94. But, like the Psalmist, we can rest assured that we are never alone, and even when we feel unsure about life, there is someone ready to listen. Of course, we first have God to comfort us. God promised never to leave us nor forsake us. If we continue to keep our hope, confidence, and trust in God.
Second, we have our village. Whether it is our fellow service members, family, or friends, there is support to carry us through the difficult times. However, we must remember to remain true to our character and integrity, for, in the end, we shall see the fruit of faith. God is with us. Emmanuel.
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson United States Navy Chaplain
My actions and gifts come from a place of genuine sincerity. – April 2022
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:1-4
In the above scripture text, Jesus is teaching the multitude that sat before him. He is concerned with the way people are being consumed with announcing every good deed they would do for those in need. The focus was not to take care of those in need but to gain recognition and acknowledgment from their esteemed peers. In one translation, Jesus used the term hypocrite. A hypocrite originally was an actor who wore a mask in a Greek play, thereby pretending he was something he was not (they were always males). He told the people not to be like the hypocrite but to be humble and not tell others what they were doing for those in need. But allow God to reward them for their good deeds.
I believe the lesson is applicable today, even if one is not of the Christian Faith. In a society where every action and a good deed is on social media for likes and acknowledgment, we too can be consumed in desiring the praise and acceptance of others. Instead, we must take an internal inventory of why we are doing what we are doing. Are we sharing the information to gain support and encourage others to help those in need? Or are we sharing to receive our reward from others and not God?
I, too, struggle with ensuring my heart is in the right place when doing for others and that I am not doing something to receive praise from my peers. Instead, my actions and gifts come from a place of genuine sincerity of wanting to do “what is right.” Being authentic and humble is still popular in a world that can sometimes seem otherwise.
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, LCDR, United States Navy Chaplain
NNOA Essay Contest
Topic: Optimizing our maritime dominance, what recruiting, training, and retention initiatives can our leaders employ today to strengthen the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our Sea Services?
Criteria
500 words or less
NNOA Member
Sea Service Junior Officer (01-03)
Deadline
April 30, 2022
Submit
Winners
1st Place
- NNOA Lifetime Membership
- $250 Cash
2nd Place
- NNOA Lifetime Membership
- $150 Cash
3rd Place
- NNOA Lifetime Membership
- $100 Cash