News | NNOA

Congressman John Lewis

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jul 20, 2020 | News

On behalf of the National Naval Officers Association:

Our hearts are deeply saddened as we have lost a giant in life, one of the original Freedom Riders, civil rights activist, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, and a member of Congress representing the people of Georgia for 33 years—Congressman John Lewis.

Congressman Lewis dedicated his entire life with blood, sweat, and tears to ensure and protect human rights, secure civil liberties, and build “the Beloved Community” in America. He was known as one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced. Congressman Lewis has been called “the conscience of the U.S. Congress.” His integrity, character, and moral compass was such that he commanded widespread respect in the chamber. He was born the son of sharecroppers on February 21, 1940, outside of Troy, Alabama. He grew up on his family’s farm, that he later purchased to keep in his family.

A graduate of Fisk University, Congressman Lewis was active in organized sit-in demonstrations at segregated lunch counters in Nashville, Tennessee. He also coordinated the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the Mississippi Freedom Summer to organized voter registration programs. The impact of his life was felt from sea to shining sea as he was awarded over 50 honorary degrees from prestigious colleges and universities, recipient of numerous awards from eminent national and international institutions, the author of numerous books, and honored in movie about his life called John Lewis: Good Trouble.

Congressman John Lewis believed in the humanity of Americans and was optimistic about the future of what our country can become for our children and our children’s children. The road map has been established. An inspiration to all the members of the National Naval Officers Association, let us continue to build upon his legacy with wisdom and dedication for a better tomorrow. Our hearts and condolence go out to the Congressman’s family and his son, John Miles-Lewis.

Sailor to Sailor – My Navy HR Newsletter

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jul 13, 2020 | News

Hard Conversations and Affecting True Change

By Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. John B. Nowell Jr.

Our nation has recently seen thousands take to the streets across the country to protest discrimination and injustice at all levels. There’s no doubt all of you are feeling a mix of anger, sadness and frustration.

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The U.S. Coast Guard’s Vision for Diversity & Inclusion

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jul 13, 2020 | News

EXCERPT: America relies on the U.S. Coast Guard to preserve our Nation’s maritime safety, security and stewardship. To ensure we remain Ready, Relevant, and Responsive, we must continue to recruit and retain a highly skilled total workforce that reflects the people we serve. Diverse representation alone will not increase our readiness if we do not retain our diverse total workforce. Inclusion in the workplace drives employee engagement and is paramount for attracting and retaining employees.

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MARAD and NNOA establishes a framework for a cooperative relationship to support the achievement of mutual goals

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jul 7, 2020 | News

On Thursday, July 2, 2020, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations. Maritime Administrator RADM (Ret) Mark H. Buzby, USN and National Naval Officer Association National President RADM (Ret) Sinclair Harris, USN signed this historic MOU in a ceremony in front of the Department of Transportation Headquarters Building in Washington, DC. This MOU, which is the first of its kind between MARAD and NNOA, establishes a framework for a cooperative relationship between NNOA and MARAD to support the achievement of mutual goals. These goals include:

Providing personal and professional development, mentorship, training opportunities, and career enhancing programs for maritime academy cadets and midshipmen and other maritime personnel
Advancing and supporting the diversity initiatives at the Maritime Administration, United States Merchant Marine Academy (“USMMA”), State Maritime Academies (“SMA”) and throughout the Maritime Industry
Working cooperatively and collaboratively to foster continued interest throughout America’s maritime industries as viable career paths for future generations
Establishing and maintaining a positive image of the U.S. Merchant Marine and domestic maritime industries; and
Enhancing awareness of the Maritime Administration, USMMA and the SMAs as prospective educational pathways for diverse segments of the Nation’s population

Dignitaries at Thursday’s ceremony included the following:

RADM (Ret) Mark H. Buzby, USN – Administrator, Maritime Administration
RADM (Ret) Sinclair Harris, USN – President, National Naval Officers Association
Mr. Kevin Tokarski, Senior Executive Service, Associate Administrator for Strategic Sealift, Maritime Administration
CAPT (Ret) Thomas Abernethy, USN – President, Washington DC, Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association
Dr. Shashi Kumar, Senior Executive Service, National Coordinator Maritime Education and Training, Maritime Administration
CAPT (Ret) Jerome D. Davis, SC, USN – Secretary, Washington, DC Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association
CAPT (Ret) Mark OMalley, USCG, Chief, Division of Operations Support, Maritime Administration

Special mention must also be made for Mr. Kevin Tokarski (MARAD), Mr. Daryl Hart, Director, Office of Civil Rights (MARAD) and CDR Michael Files, USN (NNOA) for the heavy lifting work they did in helping to make this historic MOU happen – Bravo Zulu!

I Want to Breathe by CAPT Washington Johnson II

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jul 4, 2020 | News

How will that happen?

I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, 100 years from the beginning of the American Civil War and five generations removed from slavery.

Our Heritage: Slavery and More

For the United States, slavery remains an albatross: from 1619, when 20 African slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, through the profound words of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, that “All men are created equal”; and on to the war that began April 12, 1861.The nation slaughtered itself over the question of slavery: 620,000 dead; our worst-ever toll of casualties. On the other hand, many slaves were freed for the first time in American history, although their unfulfilled promise of 40 acres of land and a mule made it pseudo-freedom at best.

There should be more Hispanics in the senior ranks

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jun 30, 2020 | News

The continuing focus on diversity and inclusion has become more of a “race issue” and a “gender issue” than an “ethnicity issue.” The Hispanic American population has grown to be the largest minority group in this country, and yet, comparatively speaking, our armed forces still do not reflect “the face of the nation” with regard to the Hispanic American population. This is particularly true in the flag and general officer, senior officer and senior enlisted ranks. This is not diversity and inclusion.

As you will remember, 45 years ago the emphasis to increase the number of African Americans in key colleges, universities and other educational and business institutions was through affirmative action and quota control. This program, which was deemed as successful, had its flaws. It had very little, if any, regard for any ethnic community, and there was little concern for meritocracy.