Message from the President:

 

   Fellow Mustangs.  Having just completed this year’s LDO/CWO commissioning program packages/boards I wanted to take a minute to share my thoughts on this year’s program.  Between the LDO/CWO Career Days programs we sponsored in March at NAVSTA Norfolk and NAS Oceana, the subsequent package reviews we did in both venues in June and several dozen packages I have reviewed/boards I have chaired since, one theme resonated with me.  That is that many of the applicants for the LDO and CWO programs are uniquely unaware of what they are getting themselves into, and I think that is a problem and one which may lead to some folks turning down their commission after selection.  The majority of folks I talked to did not know the promotion rules as they applied to LDOs/CWOs, nor could they answer questions about statutory retirement, permanent versus temporary officers, etc.  This does not bode well for our community and I think speaks to a lack of mentoring of some of these candidates.  Many of them were outstanding candidates, but I got the sense that the feedback they got from me and the several mustangs who helped with these programs was the first time they heard some of these things.  It is incumbent on each of us to seek out these strong performers and groom them as our reliefs and to adjust their expectations so that when selected, they accept their commission and go on to a long and prosperous career as an LDO or CWO.  If they are not good candidates, it is incumbent on us to tell them that as well, and to give them some rudder orders to get there if they, in fact, have the potential to serve as a Mustang.   One of us has to tell them of the very real possibility that when commissioned, they will likely go right back to a ship, whether or not they are on sea duty now, and that it may very well be forward deployed or on the opposite coast.  If they are not willing to do that, they should not submit a package, period.

    OK, I’m off my soap box.  I do want to thank the many Mustangs who came out to support our Career Days and package review programs.  Their perspective and in many cases recent board experience was invaluable in shaping these candidates’ expectations and helping to make some very good candidates better.  With the board season past and opening, look for some more social Hampton Roads Chapter events in the very near future.  We are looking for someone to take the Career Days program over from Dave Boisselle who has been doing it for many years as he is getting ready to retire.  There is also a need for some new blood on the board of directors.  If you are interested in any of the board positions (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Webmaster) please contact me or one of the other board members.  You can reach me by e-mail at:  phillip.bachand@navy.mil or by phone at 421-8201.  The national association is also looking for some board members to take the helm of the Navy Mustang Association.  You need not work in the D.C. area and you can contact me if you are interested in taking on one of those board positions as well.  I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at our next HRNMA event.  Watch the website, message traffic and e-mail for details. 

Very respectfully,

Phil Bachand

President