Desk of the Chairman November 2026

From the Desk of the Chairman

November is here and holiday season is in full swing.  November 1^st is Daylight Savings Time and if you don’t set your clock back an hour when you go to bed Saturday night, you’ll be early for Sunday church.  November 3^rd is election day nationwide and it is critical that all citizens get out and vote.  November 10^th is the 251^st birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  Semper Fi to all Marines! November 11^th is Veterans Day, a day when all who have served our nation in the military should be thanked for their service.  When someone tells you thank you for your service the next time try responding with “You were worth it” and see what kind of reaction you get.  November 26^th is Thanksgiving and a time for family and a time to be thankful for whatever you have.  The reality is that there are always a lot of people who have a lot less than you do around this world.

Rogue Chapter sits at having awarded 2,209 Medallions.  In October our local Honor Flight did 25 Vietnam Medallions to the honored veterans, and 2 Cold War and 2 Global War on Terror Medallions for Guardians.  I see more and more veterans around town wearing their Medallions whenever they go out.  I know that there are a lot of you that have not yet received their Medallion, so let me know and we will get you one.

The October Member of the Month is Russ Schweikert.   Russ is a Navy veteran and a member of the chapter who lives in Ashland.  He has been a member of the VeteRun committee since its inception in 2017.  His business was a Platinum sponsor for the recent 5K and in spite of several injuries, he stayed the course, coordinated volunteers for the 5K, marked the course prior to the event and stood in for one of the volunteers who got called away at the last minute to hand out refreshments at the halfway point of the run.  I couldn’t get this run to the finish line if he wasn’t there to help carry the load.  Job well done! Who will be next?  Maybe it will be you!

I am getting tired and before I wear myself out, I need to identify someone or a group of someone’s who can carry on the legacy of this chapter.  What is leadership?  Does one’s rank indicate that one is a leader?  The definition of leadership is the social process of inspiring, guiding, and aligning a group of people towards a shared goal while empowering them to achieve results they could not reach alone. I remember when I was promoted to chief in the Navy.  I was told that a chief’s job is to lead his or her people and to take care of them.  I never forgot that and even though I retired from the Navy approximately 20 years ago, I feel like it is still my responsibility to take care of my people.  You, the members of this NCOA chapter are still my people.  Right now, I need some help.  The time is approaching when some of you will need to quit following and step up and start leading.  This chapter has a fantastic legacy, and I am willing and able to mentor anyone.  I have asked some who have declined but I know there are more leaders out there.  Leadership isn’t just a rank.  It is a human quality that takes time to develop.  While I still have time and energy, will you step up and let me help you become the leader that you can be?  Let’s talk.

I would love to hear from all of you with your thoughts and suggestions.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, either contact me at [email protected] and I can assure you that your leadership will take note.

Strength in Unity & Leadership By Example,
MCPO (SCW) Terry M. Haines, USNR Retired
Chairman, Rogue Chapter #1260