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Coast Guardsman Earns NNOA-Sponsored College Scholarship

Coast Guardsman Earns NNOA-Sponsored College Scholarship

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Seeking to reward enlisted military members of the Sea Services who give back to their communities while overcoming major challenges in their pursuit of educational and professional goals, National Naval Officers Association President Sinclair M. Harris named Coast Guard Electronics Technician 2nd Class Melissa N. Hyacinth as the first recipient of the Olivia J. Hooker Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarship.

“I am honored to announce Petty Officer Melissa N. Hyacinth as the winner and first recipient of the NNOA Dr. Olivia J. Hooker STEM Scholarship,” said Sinclair. “The scholarship acknowledges the outstanding contributions of our sea service enlisted personnel who exemplify the life and legacy of Dr. Hooker who served her country honorably as a Coast Guardsman and later as a psychologist, educator and civil rights activist.”

This program’s inaugural award provides Hyacinth with $500 of tuition support as she works to complete her bachelor’s degree.

“I am excited and humbled by this award,” said Hyacinth. “I will use the scholarship to continue my education at American Military University where I am pursuing a degree in cybersecurity.” She added that she wants to continue serving the Coast Guard in the future as a cybersecurity officer because of the growing need for cybersecurity expertise.

Hyacinth serves as the lead maintenance feedback coordinator for the long-range enforcer product line at the Coast Guard’s Surface Force Logistics Center in Baltimore, Md. According to the Coast Guard, her division provides the engineering maintenance and logistical support for hull, mechanical, electrical and ordinance support for Coast Guard WHEC/WMSL-class cutters and Haley, Healy, and Polar-class ice breakers.

In addition to her engineering and electronics expertise, Hyacinth spends considerable volunteer time working with Habitat for Humanity and Lighthouse, Inc., repairing furniture and operating clothing drives for victims of Hurricane Maria. She also volunteers at Washington, D.C., food banks ensuring the area’s needy children have daily food supplies and holiday meals. Hyacinth also supports local schools by volunteering with the Coast Guard Partners in Education Program, helping support science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

For her volunteering efforts, the Coast Guard awarded Hyacinth the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and strongly recommended her for the Dr. Hooker Scholarship program.

This scholarship honors the life, charity, civil rights leadership and educational accomplishments of Olivia J. Hooker, who became the first African-American woman to enlist in the Coast Guard’s female military corps in February 1945. After her honorable discharge in 1946, Hooker went on to earn her master’s in psychology from Columbia University and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Rochester.

In 1963, Hooker became an associate professor of psychology at New York’s Fordham University and served as the director of psychology at the Kennedy Child Study Center in the Bronx until her official retirement in 2002.

Despite retiring at the age of 87, she remained active in the community as a consultant in the areas of education and mental health, one of the founders of the Tulsa Race Riot Commission, and as a volunteer for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and local civic organizations until her death in November 2018. 

Media Advisory:

For any press queries concerning NNOA’s Dr. Hooker Scholarship Program, please contact Navy Cmdr. Shameen Anthanio-Williams (Ret.) at shameen1976@yahoo.com  or by phone at (202) 841-7126. Additional media support is available from Rachel O’Sullivan at rachel.osullivan@voxoptima.com  or by phone at 760-310-4146. The Association’s scholarship webpages at https://nnoa.org/dr-olivia-hooker-scholarship/ provide additional information.

About the National Naval Officers Association:

Founded in 1972, the National Naval Officers Association is an advocacy organization of active duty, reserve and retired officers, midshipmen and cadets, and interested civilians of all ranks and ethnic groups working together to promote leadership and career development, junior officer mentoring, and professional networking.

Supported by an international collection of chapters, the national headquarters works with its chapters to support the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, Maritime Administration, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse officer corps that represents the very best the country has to offer.

NNOA – Message from the Commandant of the Coast Guard

Admiral Karl Schultz

Inclusion is a leadership skill developed through healthy communication, education, and interaction. There is no shortcut, no silver bullet. You have to work hard at inclusion every day. I was honored to meet with U.S. service members last week who are striving to better serve our Nation by honing their leadership skills at National Naval Officers Association’s 47th Annual Symposium in San Diego.

Thank you to all the service members from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who participated.  Semper Paratus!

VIEW VIDEO MESSAGE

 

MOAA Military & Veteran Networking Forum & Hiring Event

MOAA Military & Veteran Networking Forum & Hiring Event

Greetings,

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will host its fifth annual Military and Veteran Networking Forum this fall. We hope you and your organization will accept this invitation to participate and join us in helping currently serving military, veterans and military spouses identify meaningful and impactful civilian employment opportunities.

Below you will find additional information about the event and instructions on how to RSVP.

MOAA Military and Veteran Networking Forum

September 19, 2019 from 6:30 – 10 p.m.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C.

Registration: https://www.moaa.org/content/events/MOAA-Events/

Concept: An evening of networking and professional development designed to provide those who have served, and their spouses, the opportunity to meet industry leaders, talent acquisition professionals, hiring managers, executives, and resource specialists.  

  • 700+ Veterans, Transitioning Service members, and Spouses
    • Majority of attendees are transitioning, midgrade and retired military officers exploring new career opportunities
  • Employers include top military-friendly companies and entrepreneurial opportunities
  • Welcome address by distinguished keynote speaker and panel discussions on “Which Business Sector is Right for You” and “Exploring Entrepreneurship
  • Unique opportunity to connect executives, mentors, and community leaders with talented military professionals entering the civilian workforce

Booth Fee: Complimentary. For partners and company invitees willing to complete a short interview and hiring survey after the event, there is no fee to participate*.  Registration includes:

  • Reception/networking style station with high-top skirted table, two tall stools and sign custom made by MOAA with your company name
  • Access to the event for up to four company representatives
  • Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages throughout the evening
  • Company description in the event program mobile app

This event is funded by The MOAA Foundation a (501(c)(3)) charity. We rely heavily on contributions from employers and individuals each year to make the forum possible. When deciding how much to donate, please consider a suggested contribution of $1,500 or more. Thank you for your continuing support!    

Sincerely,

Brian D. Anderson
Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret)
Senior Director, Career Transition & Member Services
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

*If you or your organization would prefer not to complete the survey, you may opt-out during the registration process and will be charged a table fee of $1,995.

Navy Commander Walter C. Mainor, Jr. Promotion Ceremony

Navy Commander Walter C. Mainor, Jr. Promotion Ceremony

On Thursday, July 25, 2019 longtime National Naval Officer Association (NNOA) member and DCNNOA member Navy Commander Walter C. Mainor, Jr. was promoted to Captain. The ceremony was held in the Joint Staff Flag Room, Pentagon, Washington, DC. The promotion official for the ceremony was Admiral John M. Richardson, USN Chief of Naval Operations. Notable NNOA members in attendance included: RADM (Ret) Earl Gay, USN, RADM Fernandez (Frank ) L. Ponds, USN and RADM (Select) Stephen D. Barnett, USN.

Captain Mainor is currently serving on the Joint Staff Strategy and Policy Directorate J-5. Captain Mainor, is a native of Alabama. He enlisted in the Navy in June of 1987 and served as a Sonar Technician Submarines in USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN 657B). He attended the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program and graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance. He also received a Master of Business Administration Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Joint & Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC).

Captain Mainor’s afloat tours have included USS OLDENDORF (DD 972), USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75), USS VELLA GULF (CG 72), MCM CREW CONSTANT and USS PATRIOT (MCM 7). Captain Mainor’s most recent afloat tour was Commanding Officer in USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110). Ashore, he served as a manpower specialist / detailer, Navy Personnel Command, PERS 41, Executive Assistant to the Navy Chief of Legislative Affairs, and as Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service and campaign awards.

Captain Mainor was joined in the ceremony by his wife and children, mother, brother and other family members and friends. Following the ceremony a small reception was held and a good time was had by all! A hearty well done and congratulations is forwarded to Captain Mainor and his family from all his friends and colleagues within the NNOA family – Bravo Zulu!

Attached are a few photographs from Captain Mainor’s promotion ceremony for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

VR,

Jerome
CAPT (Ret) Jerome D. Davis, SC, USN
Secretary
Washington, DC Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association

Commissioning of USS Paul Ignatius

Commissioning of USS Paul Ignatius

Saturday, July 27, 2019, the United States Navy commissioned the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG117) in Port Everglades, Florida. 

Commander Robby Trotter is the 2nd officer to come from a historically black college or university (HBCU) to serve as the Commissioning Commanding Officer for the USS Paul Ignatius, the world’s most advanced destroyer.