Casey Coane posted on June 01, 2010 00:15
June 2010 Navy
by Casey Coane
Last month, we replaced my column with the photos from our Navy Now Forum event and a great first event it was. Our intention is for this to become an annual Washington event, and we will grow it to be that. This is about branding the Association and helping our Navy in the process. Thanks again to CAPT Ike Puzon for shouldering most of the workload to make this event happen.
This month, we take a time-out from the Guest Column to bring you a graduation idea on the page opposite this one. A gift of an AUSN membership is an opportunity to help a young person share in what has been a part of you for many years. Whether officer or enlisted, why not help them with a leg up as they start their time in the Navy? By the way, if he or she is heading off to NROTC or the Naval Academy, your $40 buys the entire four-year college membership. Each of us can make a difference for those following behind us.
Our feature this month highlights the recent road tour by the Vice Chief, Admiral Jonathan Greenert. ADM Greenert traveled extensively speaking about family readiness. Find the story on page 16.
Now that our last Spring Conference is behind us, Las Vegas is just around the corner. We have a great hotel, Planet Hollywood, on the strip and our room rate is available for three days on either side of the conference so why not come to Vegas and play for a while? We are building a great social program with the help of the Anchors, the Eleventh District, and our Las Vegas chapter. It is too early for me to promise, but we are hopeful of a Thursday trip to see Predator Ops (the unmanned aerial vehicle you have heard so much about) and then view the Air Force “Red Flag” ops center where they electronically monitor and grade the air-to-air training engagements. Time permitting, we might also get to visit the Air Force “Petting Zoo.” This is where the former Soviet Block aircraft were brought for study when we got our hands on one. Once highly classified, there are now many of these aircraft on display. On the business side, we will have some interesting presentations, the election of officers, and the election of the first slate of members for our Board of Directors. This is an important step for AUSN; and we need to discuss the issues thoroughly, so plan to be there. See hotel and conference registration on page 21, go on-line, and register!
Our Strategic Planning Committee, led by CAPT John Farr, will meet at Headquarters on the 11th and 12th of June. They have accomplished a good deal in their previous meetings, not the least of which is crafting the basic guidance for developing a Board of Directors governance model. These volunteers are generously giving of their time to move this Association forward. On page 12, CDR Aaron Bresnahan, our Vice President for Communications, writes about Community, Passion, and Relevance as core values of the Association. His point is that all of us need to get involved to move the Association forward. I couldn’t agree more. The Navy needs a strong advocate on Capitol Hill and we can be that advocate. Our Navy people, particularly those who have come home injured from this war, need that advocate. Surely, we can all find some passion for those issues. Let’s translate that passion into action by asking a friend or colleague to become a member. It really is that simple. Unfortunately, it is just as simple to ignore it or plan to do it tomorrow instead of today (I’m a procrastinator. I know all about tomorrow.) No excuses. Just do it!
As always, enjoy the read.