NNOA Pensacola Chapter holds First Annual "Speed Mentoring" Event

By Lt. Marvin Bartholomew, Pensacola Chapter NNOA Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The local chapter of National Naval Officer Association (NNOA) held its first annual Speed Mentoring event at the Mustin Beach Club, aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Sept. 26.

The event drew more than 40 multi-service junior and senior officers from the Pensacola area for the opportunity to sit down with senior officers from their communities and gain valuable career insight.

Capt. Keith Hoskins, commanding officer NASP, opened the event by highlighting the missions and objectives unique to NNOA and asked all officers in attendance to actively support and foster a shared role of professional development, mentorship, and community involvement.

Lt. Christina Carter, a Nurse Manager from Naval Branch Health Clinic Corry Station, said she got a lot out of the event.

"I thought the Speed Mentoring event was very insightful and I gained a lot of valuable information," Carter said. "It was invigorating to talk to so many senior officers with such a wealth of knowledge and experience. Not only were there officers from my community, but there were officers from other communities that I did not know a lot about. I enjoyed the variety of mentors on the panel and felt honored to participate in this career enhancing event."

Lt. Cmdr. Raleigh Stahl, a Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) staff member, said he found the program a valuable experience.

"This was a great opportunity to gain valuable career insight and advise on officer professional development," Stahl said. "Additionally, it opened the doors to geographical networking".

Area commanding officers serving as mentors included: Capt. Katherine Erb, commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT); Capt. Alan D. Dean commanding officer Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC); Capt. Janet E. Lomax commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC); Capt. Edward L. Heflin, commodore, Training Air Wing Six (TW-6); Capt. Maureen O'Hara Padden, commanding officer, Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP); Col. Russell A. Blauw, commanding officer of Marine Air Training Support Group 23 (MATSG-23); and Col. Eric F. Buer, commanding officer of Marine air Training Support Group 21 (MATSG-21).

"As a senior officer, an inherent part of my job is to guide and mentor junior officers, regardless of designator or warfare specialty," said Captain Erb. "The Speed Mentoring event was a great opportunity to pass on experiences from my career to a diverse group of officers as they make important decisions about their current and future careers".

Some of the senior officers also learned from the event.

"Good mentors have enabled me to stay on the right track career-wise, and have helped me to think through different problems that we face as active duty Marines and Sailors," said Colonel Blauw. "Mentors have helped me to learn how to think through different courses of action, as often there are no clear cut answers to what we should do next or what billet we should be trying to fill. I learned a lot during the speed mentoring event. I hope I was able to share some solid observations or advice, but I was also impressed by the knowledge and desire for excellence demonstrated by the younger members in the crowd."

The mission of the NNOA is to actively support the Sea Services in the recruitment, retention and career development of its members and the enhancement of diversity in the officer corps. They provide professional development, mentoring, and support cultural diversity. The NNOA's goal, since its establishment in 1972 in Annapolis, Maryland, is to establish, and maintain a positive image of the Sea Services in communities and educational institutions.