NNOA President visits Mayport, FL

Pictured left to right: CDR Lenard Mitchell, LCDR (ret) Paul Nix, ENS Dejah McGee, RDML (ret) Sinclair Harris, LTJG A’Journae Webb, CDR Brian Crosby, LCDR (ret) Tina Caston, and LCDR (ret) James Andrews

On April 23, 2019 National Naval Officers Association President (NNOA), RADM Sinclair Harris, USN, (Ret), visited Naval Station Mayport and spoke to the members of the Jacksonville NNOA Chapter. RADM Harris spent time discussing the future of NNOA and providing great mentorship for the officer’s present.

Eager to share knowledge gained during this visit was LTJG A’Journae Webb, Weapons Officer onboard USS Little Rock Blue. She said,” My biggest takeaway from the discussion was learning about the 3 essential things needed to succeed my career: mentoring, coaching, and advocacy.”

Using his 34 years of Naval service as his background, RADM Harris spoke candidly about the things needed to thrive and succeed in the Navy.  The Navy has always stressed having a mentor and having a mentorship program established at your present command; however, there is a difference between someone who mentors you, and someone who coaches and/or advocates for you. Coaching and advocacy aren’t always provided or available to you at your command, and that’s where NNOA comes in.

When given the chance to ask anything ENS Dejah McGee, Gunnery Officer onboard USS Little Rock Blue asked, “How did you deal with the pressure of everyone looking at you? Your next move? Everything you have accomplished?”. RADM Harris stated “No pressure, no diamond. I kept the pressure always on them.” That statement resonated with the entire group as another reminder of what it takes to excel coming from an experienced leader.

RADM Harris’ visit to Mayport energized the Jacksonville NNOA chapter and was a visible and tangible showcase of what NNOA can provide to its’ members.