NCOA Rogue
March 2021 Newsletter
Desk of the Chairman March 2021
March is upon us and with our entry in this month we can look forward to the coming of spring and the departure, very soon I hope, of winter. March also marks the establishment of the Navy Reserves as well as marks the birthday of the Navy Seabees. The one phrase that I associate with the Seabees, “Can Do” is one that resonates with me as some small signs of coming out of the pandemic are beginning to surface.
No matter what political affiliation that you claim as your own, we can all agree that we want our economy to start opening back up. We want the ability to gather once again, see friends that have been sheltering-in-place, and have some sort of normalcy in our lives. We want sports back and our kids to be able to interact with other kids in a school setting participate in sports and cultivate friendships that can’t happen with an on-line educational scenario.
The Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) has been impacted by businesses being closed that limited social gathering but so has every other organization. It is our plan to hold our conference in San Antonio in July and I encourage all of you who have been suffering from cabin fever to come and begin the recovery to a semi-normal life.
NCOA is still looking for volunteers that have knowledge and experience with websites and/or different social media platforms that can help us develop and maintain a vibrant and effective means to communicate with our current and future members. If willing to be considered, please contact our executive director at jterry@ncoausa.org for further information.
This pandemic has provided NCOA with more than enough lemons, so as an organization, we are going to make some lemonade. Efforts are in the works behind the scenes to build a strong and sturdy foundation that will launch NCOA back as the most effective military service organization that we have ever been. We are focusing on new ways to more effectively represent the 80% of our military, past present and future as well as their families. If you would like to be part of that, let me know. Some chapters are using zoom to hold meetings and a few chapters are in the planning phase to hold hikes aimed to inject fun and comradery in an effort to actually do something about the issue of veteran suicide. Look up irreverent warriors on the web to see what this is all about and perhaps get involved.If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at retiredveteran89@outlook.com and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines
Chairman, International Board of Directors
February 2021 Newsletter
February 2021 Update
This year started with a ton of hope on my part and that all changed on January 9th when my wife passed away. It has been an extremely difficult past couple of weeks, but two things have sustained me. My Lord and savior along with my family and the literally hundreds of well wishes and condolences from my NCOA family. Thank you!
I began this year with great optimism. Mike Little has become our new Chief Advocacy Officer and he has hit the ground running. In his first week, he hired 20 college interns to assist with legislative functions, upgrading our national website, and applying for grants for the association. On top of that, he has shared his experience in the technical realm and saved the association literally thousands of dollars.
The picture is Chairman presenting the VeteRun proceeds to the SOVB Board for the Vietnam Wall Project.
I have been struggling with what I could or should say in this issue that would give each of you some positive perspective. I may not know many of you by name or face, but I know your heart based on my recent loss. I am confident that with the members that currently exist, there are a lot of leaders and definitely a lot of caring people out there.
With a change in government, it brings up a lot of uncertainty. What I do know is that the real backbone of our military is the Non Commissioned and Petty Officer Corps; the 80% that executes the mission. I am blessed to be a part of that group. There is a saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” That is you and I. We have the option to receive the COVID-19 vaccine which should help get life back to normal. There are some who are concerned about the vaccine and that’s OK. We just need to get back to some semblance of normal life and whatever we need to do to accomplish that mission; we will find a way to get it done.
NCOA is in good hands and with so many good members out there, we cannot fail. I hope to see all of you in San Antonio in July. I also urge you to get one of those new challenge coins from HQ. They are even more impressive in reality than the pictures can share. Who knows, someone may ask to see your coin the next time we meet.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at retiredveteran89@outlook.com and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.
Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines
Chairman, International Board of Directors