June is the traditional month when schools get out, summer begins, PCS moves take place and many of us begin to think about things like vacations, baseball, and NASCAR.  This year, other than summer starting on June 20^th and Father’s Day, nothing will be the same.  School was closed months ago, PCS moves have been delayed, sports have been canceled or seriously pushed back and vacations either delayed or canceled.  The level of fear present in the United States is at or nearing an all-time high.

Chairman of the Board Terry M, Haines presenting the award for the 2019 Western Region Large Chapter of the Year award to Trustee & Treasurer Ron Kohl

Those of us who have served in the military have been trained or at least exposed to leadership.  If you have ever been in a combat zone, you know what fear is and the fear that Americans are exposed to today is real.  It is unfortunate that the media and some of those in positions of leadership are choosing to push fear rather than calm.  True leaders guide those under their direction on how to get through stressful times.  Right now, it is not just you that are being impacted by COVID-19, but it is also your family and others that you love.  That makes it worse because we care for those we love.

When in combat, you and your fellow members of the armed forces are there.  Your family is secure back home.  This COVID-19 is an invisible enemy and it is hitting us right where we and our families are at.  What can you do to get through this situation?  My fellow NCOA members use the experience of having served in the military to guide your families through these difficult times.  Try to keep emotions out of the mix.

Leadership is something that has nothing to do with gender or age.  Leaders remain calm and provide guidance to accomplish the mission.  Right now, our mission is to get through this crisis.  Check up on your families, friends, neighbors, and fellow veterans.  Make sure they are alright and offer to assist if they need help.  Mow a lawn, shop for groceries if they need help, take out their garbage, and just offer a calming demeanor in these stressful times.  Don’t let people isolate as that only breeds more fear.

We won’t be able to meet this year, but we will be doing online opportunities to share information.  We will still be recognizing our Vanguard heroes and sharing the inspiring feats that earned them the recognition.  While NCOA isn’t the largest or best-known organization, we are a powerful and focused group looking out for our enlisted forces and their families.  I invite you today to use your training and patriotism to help your community and this nation get through this crisis.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org 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

Here are some pictures of the Marines with our care packages.

April is upon us and this April will be unlike any other April in the recent past if ever.  Tax Day, April 15^th has been pushed back to July 15^th.  Easter is on the calendar but with Public gatherings being limited to no more than 10, there won’t be any Easter Egg hunts and Easter Church services will be live streamed instead of in a building.  The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life in this country in ways that most of us could not have imagined.

The government has asked all Americans to change how we behave on a daily basis.  Social Distancing has become the new catch phrase that could redefine how we behave going forward.  Washing our hands is a good thing that we should all do more often.  However, getting together with friends and family is a difficult thing to get used to and the longer this threat remains high, this social isolation can have some long lasting impacts.

We in this country have become more socially isolated because of technology where we don’t talk to each other, we text.  We spend too much time on Facebook rather than with our families.  With so many people having been laid off and routines disrupted, we have a unique opportunity for a do-over.  Reach out to your neighbors and find out if you can help, if they need it, with grocery shopping.  Call friends and check in to ensure that they are OK.

In the military, we had a saying.  Leave no man (or woman) behind.  Perhaps we can adjust that phrase under the current situation to do another phrase those who have served are familiar with.  Buddy checks could be done for elderly neighbors or those with limited mobility.  Getting out of your home to help others in a controlled way can reduce a sense of isolation and help us all maintain a healthy mental attitude.

Isolation can contribute to depression, especially if we glue ourselves to watching a constant barrage of negative news.  I have mentioned before how concerned I am with an abnormally high rate of veteran suicides.  Anything that we can do during this COVID-19 crisis to maintain a healthy attitude and to help others around us to feel a bit of hope is a good thing.  All who ever achieved the rank of  Noncommissioned Officer or Petty Officer know and understand the responsibility of taking care of our people.  Let’s use that knowledge and sense of responsibility to help those around us get through these difficult times.

Finally, I want to emphasize that your International Board of Directors has been meeting via teleconference to deal with concerns about the upcoming plans for our annual conference in July.  We are closely monitoring other organizations that are currently scheduled throughout the summer.  The DOD has limited In-Conus travel until May 11 and we are scheduled to meet again on May 12^th to make a decision whether we stay the course or reschedule for later in the year.  You will all be notified no later than May 15^th as to our decision.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org 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

March is Women’s History Month.  I want to acknowledge and promote the fact that women have served honorably and side by side without complaints for decades and it is important to acknowledge their service and sacrifice.  Thank you for your service!

I heard a radio spot the other day and the message has been bouncing around my head ever since.  The message was “If not me, then who?”  The context of the radio message was about volunteering to make things better in your community.  Most people have a tendency to believe that someone else will be the who thus relieving them of the responsibility to do anything.

Newly elected trustees being sworn in by Chairman Haines. They are L-R Ron Kohl, Dan Reno & Stephen Bobian.

Every single person reading this message either joined the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) voluntarily or if coerced into joining made a conscious decision later to keep their membership by renewing or converting to life so you didn’t have to deal with those pesky renewal notices again.

There are a variety of reasons why anyone joins any organization.  Maybe it is for the socialization of hanging around with friends.  Maybe it is because you believe in what the organization stands for and is doing.  Perhaps it is because you want to make a difference in your community and the organization gives you a vehicle with which to do that.  Maybe everyone else was joining and you wanted to fit in.  The bottom line is that you joined!

Chairman Haines presenting Certificate of Recognition to Trustee Dan Reno for his work on getting the Chapter Newsletter out to our membership

Let’s get back to that phrase, if not me then who.  Most of you are living your life, perhaps raising a family or trying to impact the community that you live in.  Some may have withdrawn from the traditional way of life either out of frustration or rebellion.  In almost all cases if you had an opportunity to make a mark that improved the quality of life for your family, organization, community, state or nation, you would probably at least take a look at what was being asked of you and how much time, finances or effort would be required.  If the end result or benefit exceeded your investment, most of you would probably consider doing something.

As NCOA moves forward, we are looking at programs and organizations to partner with that provide opportunities to make a difference.  Less than 20% of our membership is attached to a chapter and the types of programs that we are looking at are ones that an individual nowhere close to a chapter could participate in and impact the community where you live.  Come to the conference in San Antonio from July 14-17 to find out more about opportunities available.

How do you want to be remembered when your life comes to an end?  Do you want to be remembered as someone who saw a need and did something about it or as someone who spent their life waiting for someone else to take care of the problem?  If not me, then who?

If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact headquarters or contact me at chairman@ncoausa.org 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