On Feb. 12, the Association of Naval Services Officers will celebrate 35 years of dedicated service to officers, enlisted and civilian personnel of the sea services — Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine — with a particular emphasis on leadership within the Hispanic demographic.
Demographers predict that approximately 25 to 30 years from now, 30 percent of the U.S. population will be of Hispanic descent. In order to stay in tune with the country's changing demographics, ANSO seeks to ensure that the sea services reflect the "face of the nation," specifically in the senior officer and enlisted ranks. The organization is dedicated to expanding the presence of Hispanics in the leadership of the sea services by providing a variety of support and resources as they serve.
ANSO provides mentoring and career development opportunities to foster professional growth. It has grown to 14 chapters located in fleet concentration areas throughout the country, with the main purpose of supporting its members locally.
In addition to supporting the Hispanic men and women of the sea services, ANSO has volunteered in support of local communities. The organization engages with local groups through outreach initiatives to grow the Hispanic youth of today to be tomorrow's leaders.
It is incumbent upon ANSO to connect with the Hispanic youth of this country to prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow and present to them the positive role models of our sea services.
ANSO has also directly assisted Hispanic service members in being selected for a number of commissioning programs, promotions and other opportunities for professional growth within their respective career paths.
Above all else, our dedication to our Hispanic shipmates is founded on the belief that we will help them become the best-qualified candidates as they climb their respective career ladders of success.
Further, ANSO has directly supported a number of Hispanics members in their decision to remain in their respective services. The organization has also helped those who separate or retire to find outside employment.
Finally, ANSO has been directly responsible in supporting the sea services' recruiting efforts, including awarding a number of Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Immediate Scholarship Reservations.
ANSO credits its success in part to the organization's annual program. The program consists of a number of one-day working-level symposia collocated with one of the local chapters and conducted throughout the year. The symposia are designed to provide members with career management support and one-on-one mentoring sessions with senior officers and senior enlisted members who volunteer their time in support of their shipmates.
ANSO has recently refined its core values in support of its aforementioned mission to include leadership, excellence and dedication:
Leadership: We are committed to leading and mentoring our officers, enlisted, civilians and youth — individually and collectively. We add value and maintain relevance to our sea services and our local communities by enhancing integrity, respect and moral courage throughout our members and those we lead.
Excellence: We strive for continuous improvement and seek to be a change agent for innovations to improve the readiness of the sea services through the recruitment, retention and professional development of Hispanics.
Dedication: Dedication is our foundation. We fervently strive to facilitate and achieve a greater purpose for Hispanics in service to our nation, for members of the sea services and for the Hispanic community at large. We stay the course, and seek to be a long-term, sustaining and relevant influence for our services and members.
For more information concerning ANSO, please email or call me at (619) 208-7371.
Rear Adm. Will Rodriguez (ret.) is president of the Association of Naval Services Officers.
San Diego
