Association of Naval Services Officers

Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance: The Story of Rudy Martinez, The First Latino Killed in World War II

Rudolph "Rudy" M. Martinez, Electrician's Mate Third Class, United States Navy

On this 79th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember and pay tribute to the more than 2,400 American service members who lost their lives during the attack. One of the first lives lost during the attack was that of 21 year old Rudolph Machado Martinez, a Mexican-American U.S. Navy sailor stationed on the battleship USS Utah. His story is captured in the Pearl Harbor National Memorial video below. We are eternally grateful to all those who lost their lives on that fateful day, December 7th, 1941.

https://youtu.be/3_ffXyk0LpE

USS Utah Memorial Page

Blanca Rosas, CDR, USCG (Ret)

Saludos! I have been a member of ANSO since 2007. Back then I was a Lieutenant; a friend invited me to one of the annual conferences in San Diego, CA. I was excited for having the opportunity to network with senior officers who took the time out of their busy schedule to mentor enlisted members and junior officers like me. I remember sitting down with Admiral Jody Breckenridge, USCG (Ret.) for a mentorship session; that was the first time I had ever had a one-on-one conversation with an admiral about my career goals. I greatly benefited from her advice and the mentorship from all the other members that attended that conference. In addition, I came out with a few mentors who provided me with guidance during my 23 years in the Coast Guard, and a network of professionals who helped me succeed in my career.

ANSO helped me develop skills in the following areas:

Leadership – ANSO offers opportunities to excel as a leader (e.g. be part of the Board of Directors or serve as a member of a Chapter). I have had the pleasure of serving as a Chapter President, National Membership Coordinator and now, as the ANSO National President.
Mentorship – ANSO provides a network of mentors who can provide advice/coaching on how to accomplish your personal and professional goals.
Workplace Climate – ANSO promotes cultural awareness. Cultural awareness is essential to improve work relations and communication. Reference: Study On Hispanic Professionals Reveals Low Productivity And Engagement In The Workplace
Public Speaking – ANSO provides plenty of opportunities to improve your public speaking skills. Talk to senior flag officers and peers to discuss career goals, provide presentations and briefs to promote ANSO, volunteer to speak during our conferences or during our community outreach events.
Planning – ANSO provides plenty of opportunities to improve your planning skills. Help the organization plan conferences and events that can benefit our members.
Initiative – get involve and provide ideas that can make our organization grow and stay relevant within the Sea Services and the community.

Throughout the years, I have continued to attend conferences and events not only to seek professional development but also to serve as a mentor and contribute to the ANSO mission: “To assist the Sea Service Chief’s efforts in Hispanic workforce recruitment and retention by fostering the personal growth and professional development of officers, enlisted and civilian personnel; providing mentorship, networking, training and educational opportunities; and engaging the Hispanic community through outreach initiatives.”

In 2015, I had the privilege to serve as the President of the BM1 Carlos Valdivia Molina ANSO Chapter, San Francisco, CA. I was the only member in the Chapter at the time. Through partnership with Leadership Diversity Advisory Council (LDAC), Coast Guard Enlisted Association (CGEA), National Naval Officers Association (NNOA), Civil Rights Office and others, the San Francisco Chapter grew to be a 10-member Chapter responsible for the coordination of the Hispanic Heritage Month and two professional development events a year for officers, enlisted and civilian members. After this great opportunity, I volunteered to serve as the Board of Director – Membership Coordinator. This position gave me the opportunity to contribute to the organization at a higher level and have an impact in the future of ANSO. Currently, I have the pleasure to serve you as the 15th National President. I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity to lead ANSO for the next few years and work with the Board of Directors (BOD), and all ANSO members to make this organization even more successful.

I encourage you to join ANSO, take advantage of all the opportunities it provides, and help us accomplish ANSO’s mission.

Very respectfully,
CDR Blanca Rosas, USCG (Ret.)
La Presidenta de ANSO

AHORA ES, ANSO!
ADELANTE CON ANSO!

Opinion on Hispanic Americans in the Senior Ranks of the Armed Forces

By William D. Rodriguez
Rear Admiral, United States Navy, Retired
Board Member, Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance (HVLA)
Past President, Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO)

The continuing focus on Diversity and Inclusion has become more of a "Race issue" and a "Gender issue" than an "Ethnicity issue". The Hispanic American population has grown to be the largest minority group in this country, and yet, comparatively speaking, our Armed Forces still do not reflect “the face of the nation” with regard to the Hispanic American population. This is particularly true in the Flag and General Officer, senior officer and senior enlisted ranks. This is NOT Diversity and Inclusion! As you will remember, forty-five years ago the emphasis to increase the number of African Americans in key colleges, universities and other educational and business institutions was through Affirmative Action and Quota Control. This program which was deemed as successful had its flaws. It had very little, if any, regard for any ethnic community, and there was little concern for meritocracy. Of note, however, the program eventually produced a significant number of African American Flag and General Officers. These senior officers then served as examples and potential mentors to those who came behind them. Similar to what was done for the African Americans over forty-five years ago, there should be a renewed emphasis and focus on the ethnic communities, specifically, the Hispanic American Community. Furthermore, there should be an in-depth analysis of the demographics of Hispanic Americans in the Armed Forces and specifically in its senior ranks, and the DoD and the Services should take an approach towards tracking and mentoring of Hispanic Americans in order to advocate for them, ensure they are fully qualified for promotion into the senior ranks of the Armed Forces, and are given a fair and objective opportunity for promotion without prejudice or discrimination.

Full version of the Op-Ed can be found here.

Happy Veterans Day 2020!

On Veterans Day we honor all of those who have served our country in war or peace and thank all veterans for their sacrifices.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, the day when the fighting stopped during World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. A Congressional Act in 1938 made the 11th of November a legal holiday. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” in 1954, and Nov. 11 became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars. (Source)

The videos below, although a few years old, provide the history and some statistics. We cannot forget our brothers and sisters of the newly formed US Space Force, most of which transferred from the US Air Force.

We wish all veterans and their families a safe and happy Veterans Day!

Visit the VA page for more history.

https://youtu.be/mWD4Oy6fKlo

https://youtu.be/_XNNqpnGVkQ

Happy 245th Marine Corps Birthday

On behalf of the entire ANSO membership, we wish a happy 245th birthday to all our Marine Corps brothers and sisters.

In the video below, Gen. David H. Berger reminds us how the Corps' legacy lives on in every Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Erik Estrada)

Devil dogs and leathernecks are two of the names used to describe these fierce defenders of liberty.

World War I, At the Battle of Belleau Wood, Sergeant Daniel Joseph Daly, USMC, led a legendary charge against the German line, rallied his Marines by yelling “Come On, You Sons of Bitches, Do You Want to Live Forever?”
Unless you are on the wrong side of the charge, you have got to love that!

https://www.military.com/marine-corps-birthday/marine-corps-history-early-years.html
https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/edward-gomez

Semper Fidelis!

https://youtu.be/oAjz7U7uZPw

Department of the Navy Launches New Naval STEM Education and Outreach Program – Naval Horizons

WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2020) The U.S. Naval STEM team will launch the Naval Horizons challenge, a new educational video series designed to introduce viewers to cutting-edge topics impacting the Navy and Marine Corps. (U.S. Navy graphic)

On Tuesday, October 27, the Department of the Navy launched Naval Horizons, a new Naval Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education and outreach program. It is a virtual effort designed to inspire college students by raising awareness of the real-world science and technology challenges of today. The program will introduce students to cutting-edge topics impacting the Navy and Marine Corps through online videos covering nearly 20 research areas. Students learn about naval topics by watching the videos—and submitting a report on the state of the art and a futurist vision of the Navy and Marine Corps in 2040. The first 3,000 submissions to meet the evaluation criteria will be awarded a $200 stipend.

To be eligible for the Naval Horizons program applicants must be:

Community College students
Undergraduate students
Graduate students
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Majors
Must be enrolled at an accredited college/university
Must be a U.S. citizen
You must be at least 18 to apply to this program

Those interested in participating in Naval Horizons should visit https://navalhorizons.asee.org/.

Department of the Navy press release

Happy 245th Navy Birthday!

201006-N-BB269-1003 WASHINGTON (Oct. 6, 2020) A digital illustration created for the 245th U.S. Navy Birthday. The graphic features a guided-missile destroyer representing USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) waving a battle ensign breaking through a silhouette of USS Constitution formed by clouds. (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)

We want to wish a happy 245th birthday to all our Navy members!

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 to October 15, 2020

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed every year from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Below are links to different websites that contain the history, current facts, and details for events taking place throughout the month. Please support these events and celebrate our National Hispanic Heritage.

Also checkout our events calendar and our social media where we share different networking and professional development opportunities.

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram

Adelante con ANSO!!

Happy 230th Anniversary U.S. Coast Guard!

To the men and women of the U. S. Coast Guard... ANSO thanks you for your dedication and service to our Nation. Semper Paratus!

https://www.facebook.com/UScoastguard/posts/10158613478942679

House Passes the National Museum of the American Latino Act

On July 27th, the House of Representatives passed the National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R. 2420) to establish a museum on the National Mall dedicated to commemorating the 500 plus years of American Latino contributions to the nation’s military, sciences, economic power, civil rights and the arts.

The House bill passed with 295 bipartisan co-sponsors, and the Senate legislation (S.1267) has 29 bipartisan co-sponsors and growing. Call, tweet, and email your Senators and urge them to support the National Museum of the American Latino Act. Please visit https://americanlatinomuseum.org/our-legislation/ for more information on the initiative, and for phone numbers and recommended scripts to use.

Happy 4th of July 2020!

LPETTET/Getty Images

As we gather with our friends and families to celebrate the Declaration of Independence of the United States, we should take a few minutes to remember those who fought the battles to secure that independence, and also our men and women in uniform and our first responders that are currently keeping us all safe. Below is a link to an article that shines a light on Latinos who fought in the American Revolution. Hope you and your families have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July. [OP-ED]: “Latino Patriots” of the American Revolution… Donde Estan?

Memorial Day 2020 Reflection

Friends,

As we celebrate Memorial Day, in a time of social distancing, it is more important than ever to recognize those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our right to live in freedom.

Each generation is called upon to fight for freedom in its own time. We have that duty today as has always been the case.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

- President Ronald W. Reagan

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was founded in Waterloo, New York, now known as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. It is a solemn time to pause and pay our respect to those that, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “gave their last full measure of devotion.” It will never be a thing of the past or a quaint exercise to stop and meditate on the sacrifices of those who have died in the service of this American Experiment.

We all should enjoy our Memorial Day weekend. This is one of the freedoms that is bequeathed to us by the dedication of women and men who laid down their lives for us to enjoy the blessings of freedom. As we enjoy our celebrations, let us take a moment to remember and thank those patriots who have paid for our ability to do so with their light and lives.

CDR Sergio Villaverde, USCGR (ret)