MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. --
U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Hayward Gordon, assistant safety officer, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, was new to the fleet when an opportunity came along to learn from senior officers from the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA). From the time he attended his first event, he was impressed by how genuinely concerned chapter members were about his development and success as an officer.
Gordon quickly became a chapter member, and knew that he wanted to provide the same opportunities he received from the NNOA to new officers as well. Now the president of the Camp Pendleton/Miramar Chapter of the NNOA, he finds himself coordinating events, mentoring Marines, recruiting and enhancing diversity in the officer corps. Gordon knows that he would have not been able to provide as much as he has if it wasn’t for the help of U.S. Marine Brig. Gen Kevin J. Killea, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations – West (MCI-W), Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton. On Oct. 11, 2018, Gordon and NNOA of the Camp Pendleton/Miramar chapter, presented Killea with the Outstanding Chapter Competition Award on Camp Pendleton.
The Outstanding Chapter Competition Award is given to an individual that demonstrates dominance in all the categories including: training and education, membership recruiting, establishing partnerships, organizational administration and assessment, public relations and financing. The NNOA is organized for the purpose of supporting, assisting and improving the sea services in minority recruitment, and to encourage maximum participation to maintain a positive image of the sea services in communities, schools, colleges and universities.
“We are presenting this award to Brig. Gen. Killea, because he accommodated us in providing outstanding support through the use of installation venues as well as giving outstanding support to the NNOA through not just words, but through actions,” said Russell Woody, secretary of the NNOA Camp Pendleton/Miramar Chapter.
“The NNOA is open for everyone and is essentially, because of our mentorship and scholarship programs, a positive image of the United States Marine Corps to the community,” said Woody.
The NNOA is foremost dedicated to creating and achieving a diversified workforce with the mission of empowering members with capabilities and skills to achieve their full potential.
”The military as a whole strives to reflect the very best of our country,” said Gordon. “With that in mind, the military, and its leaders, should reflect the very population it is sworn to defend. Diversity in our officer ranks allows for a more diversity in new ideas and concepts by allowing us to continually out maneuver our enemies.”
The NNOA gives active duty, reserve and retired officers of diverse backgrounds opportunities to come together to share leadership, professional exchanges and networking.
“It is a military association that allows junior officers who are looking for mentorship, a link between more senior officers and junior officers,” said Woody. “If you are looking for mentorship or you are looking for an organization that will assist you in success for your career, you want to join NNOA.”
For more information on the NNOA call: 760-763-6202 or visit http://www.nnoa-camppendleton.org.