Excerpt: On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, I send my deepest condolences to the family of Colin Powell. He led a great American life, and his love of country shone throughout his long and distinguished career in the military and in other forms of public service.
Please join RADM Sinclair Harris, USN Retired, president NNOA and Ms. Janice Haith, SES, USN Retired on a discussion of diversity, inclusion, and equity in the Sea Services as part of Black Professionals Month. https://
Chaplain Corner’s Article
“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength”– 2 Timothy 4:17
When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, Paul was imprisoned and facing death as everyone who supported him in the ministry had abandoned him. Paul had given so much to so many to now find himself without any support. He writes to Timothy encouraging him to keep his faith in God because God was still by his side while everyone left Paul. God never left him nor forsook him. Paul speaks of the strength God gave him to endure the disappointment of those who he thought has his back. God gave him the strength to withstand the unsanitary conditions of his confinement and peace to accept his impending death. Even in Paul’s worst moments, he found the wisdom to acknowledge where his help came from. Just as David in the Psalm 121:1-2, “I look unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
The importance of recording the biblical stories is to let us know, 2,000 years later, that there is nothing new under the sun. The same we, in 2021, can feel abandoned and alone by those who we trusted and supported the most is the same experience of those who came before us. The same disappointment and unbelief that we feel, they also felt. However, they understood no matter the circumstance, and even in their lowest moment, God was there to support them and provide them with the strength and sustenance needed. No matter what is going in our lives, we must never forget we are never alone, for the God of those who came before us is the same God who is here for us now. Never give up or lose faith because the Lord will stand by your side and provide you strength.
Blessings,
Rev. Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain United States Navy
49th Symposium Letter from NNOA President’s Desk
September 12, 2021
Greetings NNOA Shipmates, Family, and Friends!
Another outstanding NNOA Symposium is passed and opening! Bravo Zulu to all who organized, led, participated, and provided technical support! I offer a special thanks to LtCol Khalilah Thomas, USMC for her phenomenal leadership from start to finish as our Symposium Chairperson. Over 360 attendees heard speakers and panelists that included all three Sea Service Chiefs and many others. New offerings such as our first ever Senior Executive Service Panel was an unqualified success. Bravo Zulu to all!
As part of our tradition, I provided an NNOA Year in Review to the general body. Many were not able to attend but we did record it. Please take time to listen to it and send any comments. You can also open it inside our website. Send your comments to me at president@nnoa.org. I assure you I will read them all.
Let me also take a moment to welcome (or welcome back) our new leadership for NNOA:
As I take a three-point fix on our organization, it is clear that NNOA is in a good place. Financially, we are sound, thanks to the great work of our treasurer Bea Henderson. Our membership continues to be very solid with over 1000 shipmates and growing – thank you Tremayne Williams our Membership Chair. And our reputation as an organization is well respected by the leaders of our Sea Services, NOAA, Public Health Service and MARAD. This is due to the work of the many at the chapter and national level. NNOA members are engaging Sea Service leadership over important issues and representing our organization well. Bottomline, we are squarely in the center of the channel and making way. As an “old SWO” I know where we have been and where we are now is not as important as where we are headed. I have a few thoughts but really need to hear from you – especially those on Active Duty, Reservists still serving, and Government Service members still in the fight. We Veteran’s have demonstrated our commitment and will continue to do so under the leadership of Ernie Taylor and others, but the future of NNOA is about those still serving. I need to know what is on your heart and mind.
There are many initiatives already underway in OUR NNOA. Here are just a few:
In summary, the state of NNOA is sound. We have much to cherish about where we have come and what we can do moving forward. We have many irons in the fire, but I need you, our membership on board and in the fight to make our NNOA stronger and responsive to the call of recruitment, training, retention, and diversity. I close with two very important question for you – Where do we go from here and will you help us? . Remember, “we are stronger together.”
Very respectfully,
Sinclair Harris, RADM USN (Retired), President, NNOA