New blog site to come

NRD New York has recently re-aligned our area of responsibility. With this new alignment, I have been moved to recruit out of the Brooklyn area. Since I have moved areas, I will be starting a new blogsite with that information forthcoming. I'm looking forward to the new responsibility that will come along with now being a division officer (Div-O) and being more involved with the enlisted side of recruiting as well as continuing to work the officer packages. I will post any changes here to keep all informed of the address adjustment. Please feel free to email if you have questions.

Navy Terms

A bathroom in the Navy is called a head. This is because on wind powered vessels of old the wind came from behind the ship. This being the case, it was wise to have the bathroom at the front (head or bow) of the ship for obvious reasons.

The 5 Basic Responses

These five basic responses should serve any military person well throughout their career when answering to superiors. I think politicians could learn something by sticking to this. Why is it that every question you hear asked on just about any news channel to just about every government official has a long drawn out explanation? I tell all those under my command and try myself to stick to the basics:
1. "Yes, Sir/Ma'am"
2. "No, Sir/Ma'am"
3. "No excuse, Sir/Ma'am"
4. "I'll find out, Sir/Ma'am"
5. "Aye Aye, Sir/Ma'am"
Next time your watching Fox News, CNN or any other broadcast ask yourself why the person interviewed couldn't have just answered the question with one of the basic responses noted above. The traditional answers exemplify the frame of mind required of a naval officer; positive, concise and recognition of an acceptance of responsibility.

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman...we have this consolation with us that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
-Thomas Paine, December 1776

Quailifications of the Naval Officer

It is by no means enough that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner. He must be that, of course, but also a great deal more. He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor. He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness and charity. No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention or be left to pass without it's reward, even if the reward is only a word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate, though at the same time, he should be quick and unfailing to distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetency, and well meant shortcoming from heedless or stupid blunder.
In one word, every commander should keep constantly before him the great truth, that to be well obeyed, he must be perfectly esteemed.

-from a composite letter of John Paul Jones' phrases and clauses
- Reef Points July 1998

Just to give those of you out there who are wondering about current status an idea of what CNRC is dealing with.  As soon as we get any updates on status especially for those recent Nuclear candidates who have submitted packages we will be getting that info out to the feild as soon as we hear something.

Chaplain Reserve and Active Component Instructions

This was an email I sent to a recent applicant who was a Chaplain student and is now superseding into the reserve component.  I don't have the documents that I mention in this point letter attached but it gives you an idea of the items needed to get a person, and more to the point a Chaplain, moving in the process.  Of course as with all Navy action there are other misc documents and copies that are needed but this is the bulk of it...

1.  Please complete the attached Application Processing and Summary record (attached).  Initial block 6, below block 8 and sign block 18.  Please scan and email/fax to me.  Send the electronic copy via email as well so I can make adjustments to page 1 if needed but we will still have your signature and initials on original pages done.

2.  Please send me an updated resume that I can get to the Regional Chaplain for his review prior to your interview.  I also need a copy of that resume with your signed and dated (scan and email or fax to me). The second resume is for your scroll documents.  This will go up with your APSR (attached) to the Sec of Navy. 

3.  Please send me a word document with contact information (email and postal addresses along with names and phone numbers)  You will be required to have employment references for every employer from the last three years.  You will also be required to have 3 character references and 3 peer references (peers need to be of same denomination).  ******For reference purposes, we need to have a minimum combined total of 6 refs of whatever combination******

4.  Please have your most recent transcripts (from every school you have attended) sent to the office address below. 

5.  If you have already done a Security Investigation Questionnaire, we will need to update.  If not, I can get you an account.  Please send me your SSN and first middle and last name for this.

6.  Please have the attached Ecclesiastical Endorsement completed and returned. 

I will meet you before your interview or sometime convenient this week or next to get the miscellaneous documents signed ie, birth certificate, social security card, disclosure of ssn, documentation of request for ecclesiastical endorsement et al.  Let me know what date/ time work for you.

As some of you have noticed, I haven't returned any emails since early last week. I should be back up by the end of the week. If there are any pressing issues you can call me at 917.337.8665, if a fax needs to be sent use 718.258.0780. Otherwise just keep checking the blog and thanks to my counterpart J Kovalsky for letting me use several of his more recent posts. I take back all those things I said about you J.

New York Naval Recruiting: Nuclear Documents

New York Naval Recruiting: Nuclear Documents: "Below are links to three documents that must be filled out by every Nuclear applicant. Just throwing them out here for when the time comes...."

New York Naval Recruiting: Modern Air Warfare

New York Naval Recruiting: Modern Air Warfare: "Those that find themselves in my office know that I can talk for a while about most everything. And digressions usually head towards aviat..."

New York Naval Recruiting: CEC Basics

New York Naval Recruiting: CEC Basics: "Below is a link to a Powerpoint brief given by the head accessions Officer of the CEC community. It encompasses what a strong applicant prof..."

Board Schedules

If you have not already heard they have put a hold on all General Officer Boards with the exception of the Nuke and Chaplain.  Those that have already had their packages sent to the boards will be tabled.  All of these packages will be screened but the dates are not concrete currently.

Reason for the hold is that the current manning is complete through fiscal year 2012.  That means we will not be filling OCS slots until approximately June or July of 2012, unless you are a nuke candidate.

Reserve programs are currently closing with the exception of EDO, AMDO and Chaplain.  These should open back up in the summer.  There will be some Intel spots available around September time frame.

Rhumb Lines

Navy Office of Information www.navy.mil March 20, 2011

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn
"I am extremely proud of the Sailors, Marines and multi-mission naval platforms operating as  part of JTF-OD. They are demonstrating the naval forces’ unique ability to be critical enablers  and components of the larger joint force." – Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, III, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa In response to a call for action by the Libyan people and the Arab League, the President of the United States called for a limited military action with coalition partners under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973, to end the violence against Libyan citizens. The UNSCR authorizes use of force with an explicit commitment to pursue all necessary measures, to include the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya. Carefully coordinated with coalition partners, U.S. naval forces participated in cruise missile strikes as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn designed to set the conditions for a coalition no-fly zone, striking more than 20 integrated air defense systems and other air defense facilities ashore in Libya March 19. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn Command Structure U.S. Joint Task Force (JTF) Odyssey Dawn is commanded by Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and is operating aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20), currently deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. The JTF was established to provide  operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya. th Marine Expeditionary Unit; explosive ordnance disposal teams and a maritime expeditionary security squadron. Mobilizing Ready Forces U.S. ships supporting the JTF include: command ship Mount Whitney; Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Barry (DDG 52) and submarines USS Providence (SSN 719), USS Scranton (SSN 756) and USS Florida (SSGN 728), which launched Tomahawks at more than 20 integrated  air defense systems and other air defense facilities ashore in Libya March 19; and  USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Ponce (LPD 15). • The U.S. Navy will continue to use its unique capabilities to create the conditions under which the coalition can best enforce the full measure of the UN mandate. • • U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from coalition bases and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) launched in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn March 20. Navy Growlers provided electronic warfare support over Libya while AV-8B Harriers from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted strikes  against Qadhafi's ground forces and air defenses. • • The Joint Forces Maritime Component Command (JFMCC) is commanded by Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr. • U.S. forces assigned to the JFMCC are: Expeditionary Strike Group 5, commanded by Rear Adm. Margaret Klein; Navy Tactical Air Control Center (TACRON) 21;  five U.S. Navy ships; three U.S. Military Sealift Command vessels; three U.S. submarines;  28 Navy and Marine Corps aircraft (to include P-3, EP-3, EA-18G, AV-8B, KC-130J, MV-22, CH-53 and MH-60), elements of the 26
Key Messages	Facts & Figures
• • The President stated that military action would not involve U.S. troops on the ground in Libya. • Under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, the U.S. military and international partners are taking measures to protect Libyan civilians America’s Navy is committed to Operation Odyssey Dawn and is working with coalition partners to put an end to the violence in Libya.	• • 5,100 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians are involved in Operation Odyssey Dawn. • Coalition countries include United Kingdom, France • TACRON 21 managed control of all U.S. strike aircraft March 19. More than 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles were used to strike Libyan air defense systems, surface-to-air missile sites and communication nodes. , Canada, Denmark, Spain, Italy and United States.

A product of...

FY 11 Pro Y's

For those who were Professionally Recommended this last fiscal year but are not getting ship dates there is some good news.  The OPO (Department Head) received an email from CNRC stating that all Pro-Y's that we have currently will be Final Selected to ship next fiscal year.  I believe ship date will be the second week of July 2012.  Anything else I get, I will make sure to post it. 

In the meantime Fleet Week is coming up in May so look for those updates as well.....(to be continued)

Community Closings

As many have heard there has been some direction pushed down from CNRC.  We have shut down all programs on the GenOff side...exceptions

AC (active component):   Nuke, Chaplain, Jag
RC (reserve component): CEC, AMDO, Chaplain, EDO

No official word as to the status on current or pending applications that have already been sent to board.  As I hear things I will post.  Most likely they will "table" apps that have already gone out which basically send them back to the NRD and we will have to sit on them until OCS/ ODS spots open up in the future.  Fiscal Year 2012 is already full so that would mean new shippers would not go until July 8, 2012 which would be the first graduating class of FY 2013.

Alot to process but feel free to post comments or questions and if you have news that may be useful go ahead and post that as well.

Navy Chaplain Program

Navy Chaplain Programs are a big focus right now.  Take a look at the link and get more information on some of the opportunities that the Chaplain Corps has available.  Great videos and testimonies to browse and view.
http://www.navy.com/careers/chaplain-support/chaplain.html

Nuclear and CEC Screen

For the most part if a potential candidate has taken up to Calc III and Physics II we can initially say they qualify for the Nuclear and Civil Engineering Programs.  "C" or below on the transcripts may cause issues but may be able to be worked through with a waiver if too low.

Genoff Process

--Below is the basic process that I cut and paste into an email for any general officer program applicant.  I try to get as much information knocked out the first time we meet.  The only real deviations to this would be NUKE and CEC officers who don't have to take the ASTB.  Other than that I just look for height and weight standards, Police Record, Drug Abuse and if a potential applicant can swim.  --

Bring with you your social sec card and birth certificate.  Also, have contact info of character and work references that we can submit.  I need to have at a minimum 3 (I suggest 5) references including ALL EMPLOYERS FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS.  You need to order official copies of your transcripts from every school you have ever attended.  You can have them sent to me at the address below.

Respond back with your social security number and middle name and I will get you a NASIS (at bottom) account to start working on before you come in.  Complete the APSR (attached) send to me electronically before we meet as well.

Here are some websites to start studying for the ASTB.  I also recommend you go to Amazon.com or Border’s and get a Barron's ASTB Study Guide book which is a great way to study for the test.

ASTB Websites:

1) http://www.navy-officer.com/astb.html (numerous links to test preparation sites/programs)

2)http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/nomi/nami/pages/astboverview.aspx (good overview of the test itself)

3)http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/nomi/nami/usnac2009/Documents/ASTBWebsiteSampleQuestions.doc (a few sample test questions and answers)

4) http://www.marineofficerprograms.com/pages/astb-study-guide.php (Although it is a marine website, this page offers 5 good examples of questions similar to those on the ASTB)

5) http://www.vanavyofficerprograms.com/general.html

NASIS:

https://nasis.cnrc.navy.mil/adcnavy/jsp/adc_dod.jsp

Username:  

Password:  

Updates on the Board Schedules

Looks like we are not getting much movement on the AC Genoff (Active Component General Officer) programs.  Right now the only thing we are seeing much opportunity is for the Reserve CEC, AC Nuclear Programs (Instructor, Reactor, Subs or SWO and Student)  Other than that the Chaplain Corps is still open.  Any Reserve Program can still be worked. 

Just to be clear we can still process all AC packages but we may not be able to submit to board until we have openings.  When more guidance comes out I will make sure and update you.

CH-53; CH-46 on Kearsarge Deck

LCAC entering the welldeck

Deployment 2005

Kearsarge Strike Group

Still working to get this blog thing figured out.  How do I upload photos.