Hello NNOA Shipmates!
It has been a very fast paced year and NNOA continues to pick up speed. In this edition of the eMERIDIAN, you will see only a glimpse of the great things that are happening around the NNOA chapters and with our members. There has never been a better time to be a member of the National Naval Officers Association. NNOA’s Social Media is buzzing away with news that inspires and encourages me. Promotions across the board, members taking Command and being selected for special assignments, and the commitment of our Service Chiefs are all clear examples that NNOA is on the move. I have talked to nearly every top leader across the Sea Services, USPHS, MARAD and NOAA. All continue to be supportive of the NNOA and want to do more.
During the Navy League Sea, Air and Space Exposition, the US Navy Institute (USNI), Naval Services Family Line, and other organizations approached us regarding building a partnership. The Naval History and Heritage Command and Navy Recruiting Command also have sought out a stronger relationship with NNOA. Bottomline, at every level and in every area, NNOA is all ahead full.
Let me break it down by our four lines of effort:
1. Chapter Empowerment – In my visits to the chapters in DC, Quantico, Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville/Mayport, I see Junior officers seeking mentorship, Senior Officers providing coaching; and our Retired Officers establishing and maintaining relationships with the local community. We have chapters coming back online and others asking what they can do in their area. To all, I say there is nothing the NNOA Board will not consider to support this upward momentum.
2. Membership Growth – We continue to grow at a slow but steady pace. Even better, our membership is continuing to diversify and become more inclusive. I have said since you elected me your president, “NNOA will live up to its logo and the intentions of our founders by including everyone interested in a more inclusive and diverse officer corps.” I charge each of you reading this letter to invite those who look like you and those who don’t to join NNOA TODAY! Make a commitment to bring at least one new member to our Annual Symposium and/or your next Chapter meeting or event.
3. Symposium 2019 – The messages have hit the streets already and each clearly provide funding to support attendance. We will PACK THE HOUSE and you don’t want to miss it.
The hardest decision for CAPT Rojas and the San Diego Chapter is who we can accommodate this year on our symposium stage. So, don’t be the “Tailend Charlie” and get shot down. Register today and get with your command leadership to ensure they know what is happening. By the way, NNOA turns 50 in 2022 and we are already beginning to plan for a major symposium in Annapolis, MD (our birthplace), so stay tuned.
4. Strategic Review Implementation – Recently, Vice Admiral David Brewer and I reached out to a few others to see if they would help explore the creation of an NNOA Foundation. This is essential in my humble opinion to provide NNOA with the resources and structure needed to go to the next level. There are other initiatives CAPT Tom Abernethy, USN and CAPT Will Watson, USCG are working on, but I believe an NNOA Foundation is critical.
Hopefully, you can feel the excitement, the energy, and the enthusiasm reverberating throughout YOUR NNOA. I only hope you are as proud of being a member as I am. I pray you will take advantage of all the great things happening and tell us even more from your vantage point. First step? Register and meet me in San Diego for the 47th Annual Symposium.
Join us and help PACK THE HOUSE!
Very respectfully,
RADM Sinclair M Harris, USN (Ret.)
President, National Naval Officers Association (NNOA)