BY LT. DONG LOGAN Project Officer NAVSUP Business Systems Center
Supply Corps officers from around the world attended the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) annual symposium at Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego August 7-8, 2019.
Established in 1972, the NNOA is sanctioned by the Secretaries of the Navy and Homeland Security, and it is comprised of active duty, Reserve, and retired officers, midshipmen and cadets and interested civilians. It has members of all ranks and ethnic groups. NNOA provides professional development, mentoring, commitment to diversity, and inspires and influences future leaders of our military to create more resiliency among sea services across the nation.
The theme of this year’s symposium was “Charting a Course for Tomorrow’s Leaders.” The theme aligns with the ideals of Navy Leader Development Framework 3.0 as former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson stated in his message to the participants, “NNOA serves as a force multiplier in preparing the Navy’s diverse leadership– and our entire Navy team–to meet emerging challenges in today’s ever-changing and complex environment.”
The symposium featured keynote speakers and senior military leaders from U.S. sea services, who networked, spoke, and offered mentoring sessions and career guidance to junior military officers.
Guest speakers included the Honorable Thomas Modly, under secretary of the Navy; Vice Adm. John Nowell, USN, chief of Naval Personnel; retired Adm. Kurt Tidd, USN, director, Olmsted Foundation; Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, USN, commander, Naval Air Forces/commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Vice Adm. Jerome Adams, U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), U.S. Surgeon General; Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), deputy commandant Mission Support; Adm. Karl Schultz, USCG, commandant of the Coast Guard; retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox, USN, director, Naval Heritage and History Command; Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, USN, commander, Navy Region Southwest; Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey, USN, commander, Carrier Strike Group One; and Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, former U.S. Presidential advisor.
The senior leaders provided valuable nuggets during the panel discussion and mentoring sessions, such as: “Always do your best with whatever opportunity you’ve been given;” “Be humble, able to give and receive feedback;” “Don’t make mistakes, but if you do, own them;” “Sailors aren’t born, they’re forged;” and “Continue to innovate and adapt.”
The symposium also included servicespecific sessions and mentoring sessions, highlighting individual career progression and personal development.
During the closing ceremony, Cook shared her life story and secrets for successful in her inspired speech. She emphasized that one must first take a self-interest to be able to take care of our greater “family.” It enables you to leave a legacy, transferring knowledge and wisdom to future generations.
The NNOA provides support and mentorship, helps unite us with our service peers, and build our vision and dreams for the future. They set the stage and provided the opportunity to learn from each other, and re-discover the importance of unity across all sea services.
We are truly one-team, one-fight, and are stronger together, as we continue to emphasize the importance of leadership, camaraderie, and professional development. Together we continue to mentor and retain the most talented men and women to defend our country, while promoting diversity and inclusion that reflects the public we serve.