by khurst2@gmail.com | 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Jan 12, 2025 | Chaplain
“…The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
From 2019 to 2022, I was stationed in Norfolk, VA. My ship was at the end of a pier shared with three other ships. Many days, I walked the entire length of the pier, from the security checkpoint to the quarterdeck of my ship, in uniform, in broad daylight, with plenty of sailors around and not one single salute. It was as if I was wearing an invisibility cloak.
I watched as other officers were saluted and chiefs greeted. Some sailors looked me in the eyes and still did not salute. If I was greeted, it was often with, “Good morning, chief.” Why was the automatic assumption that I was a chief?
On another occasion, while walking past a group of enlisted sailors who failed to salute, the chief walking behind me saw this and tore these sailors a new one. I stood there looking at the genuine confusion on their faces, and I could tell they honestly had not realized I was an officer.
Maybe it’s because I look young. Yeah… that’s it.
I constantly wrestle with these moments:
- Is it worth the energy to correct one sailor when there are about 20 more I may have to correct?
- Will I be perceived as a power-tripping “you-know-what” if I say something?
- What should I do?
In speaking with some of my colleagues, I have learned that this experience is not unique to me and is all too common among women of color. The struggle remains the same.
Over Christmas break, I watched Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight, a movie about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black and all-female battalion, in World War II. As I watched the movie and witnessed these women’s struggles, it resonated with me. These women faced discrimination not only because of their gender but also because of their race. Their struggles during a period in American history where minoritized people had far fewer rights are not unlike those of minoritized people today. The women of 6888 served during a time when that type of discriminatory behavior was permitted. That was the culture back then. Eighty years later, the culture is nearly identical despite the advances. People treat you how they see you if they see you.
We are a quarter of the way into the 21st century. The time for a culture shift is now. In 2025, it should not be an anomaly to see people of color serving in leadership positions up and down the chain of command. In 2025, we should be at the point where we respect the rank, regardless of who’s wearing it. This culture of picking and choosing who and when to respect must end. In 2025, we need to be at the point where minoritized people in leadership are not the exception but the norm.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 24, 2024 | Chaplain
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3
This message was delivered by the prophet Isaiah during a time when the people of Israel desperately needed a message of hope amid hopelessness. They were living in Babylonian exile, their place of worship had been destroyed, and many of their people had been carried away into captivity.
In a nutshell, they were defeated, depleted, dejected, and rejected.
Just when they felt all hope was lost, the Lord finally gave the people a word of hope that let them know that this would be a momentary affliction. It will not always be this way. Better days are ahead. Isaiah told them that the Lord had not abandoned them and was mindful of their suffering.
This holiday season, no matter what is going on in your life, remember that there is always hope. The turnaround is coming. As you wait for the turn-around, remember others suffering and be to them what you wish someone would be to you. Who knows, perhaps the Spirit of the Lord is upon you to proclaim the good news and bind broken hearts.
In the words of Howard Thurman –
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman, The Work of Christmas, 1944
by khurst2@gmail.com | Nov 11, 2024 | Chaplain
“Then the Lord answered me and said:
‘Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.’”
(Habakkuk 2:2-3)
When the prophet Habakkuk wrote these profound words, he was experiencing a spiritual crisis. Questioning the goodness of God, Habakkuk observed his home in turmoil and felt a deep sense of hopelessness. He desperately needed a message of hope due to his experiences and the loss of faith he endured. In his despair, he cried out to God:
“O Lord, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’
And You will not save.
Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.” (Habakkuk 1:1-4)
God’s response to Habakkuk’s lament was unexpected:
“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.” (Habakkuk 1:5)
When faced with discomfort and uncertainty, our instinct is often to seek immediate answers and relief. We are reluctant to endure the waiting period, preferring to jump straight to joy. However, this is not the way life unfolds. Sometimes, we must learn to wait and trust, believing that “this too shall pass.”
Life is marked by seasons, and in times of waiting, we are called to trust in the process. As God assured Habakkuk:
“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.”
In our waiting, we find strength, patience, and renewed faith, trusting that the appointed time will come.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Oct 23, 2024 | Memoriam, News
Cards may be sent to Mrs. Callie Flowers, 389 Valle Vista, Vallejo, CA 94590
In lieu of flowers or any monetary donations, the family is asking that donations be made to the STEM Scholarship Award established in 2015 in honor of Captain (CAPT) Donald Flowers, United States Navy. Click here to Donate.
NNOA sadly announces mentor and member, Captain Don H. Flowers, a distinguished naval officer and beloved family man, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Captain Flowers embarked on his naval career in 1962, rising through the ranks from the lowest enlisted pay grade to the esteemed position of Captain. His more than thirty-eight years of dedicated service were marked by exemplary achievements and a profound commitment to his country.
Throughout his career, Captain Flowers served on numerous vessels, including the USS Constellation, USS Borie, USS Coral Sea, USS Wabash, USS Cape Cod, USS Norton Sound, USS Carl Vinson, USS Wasp, and Sustain AFDM-7. He also held key positions at various naval installations and training centers.
Captain Flowers’ legacy extends well beyond the military and includes serving at multiple NNOA Chapters at various levels including as Chapter President. He will certainly be missed. He was a devoted husband to Callie Parker Flowers and a loving father to their seven children: Barbara, Wallace, Maurice, Yolanda, Anna, Orion, and Donald.
About the Captain Donald Flowers STEM Scholarship
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Scholarship Award was established in 2015 in honor of Captain (CAPT) Donald Flowers, United States Navy. CAPT Flowers held the pay grades of E1-E9, Wl-W4 and O1-O6.
A lifetime member of NNOA, he served on the Board of Directors. He was responsible for initiating a community youth program outreach during each Annual Symposium to encourage youth to consider military service. The program focus changed to STEM in 2015. The $500 scholarship is awarded to a deserving high school student who participates in the annual STEM program.
The STEM Committee sets the eligibility criteria for the award and presents it to the eligible student(s) at the closing of the STEM Program. The scholarship can be awarded as one scholarship or multiple scholarships; however, the overall amount awarded will not exceed $500.
For example, if two students are selected, each student will be awarded a $250 scholarship. If one student is selected, that student will be awarded a $500 scholarship.
