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My ANSO Story

I have often wondered who coined the phrase, “Uno y Uno Mas con ANSO.” I suspect CAPT Kathy Contres, USN, was responsible since she was one of the first professionals I met when I was introduced to ANSO in 2006. I first heard of ANSO and the concept of “Uno y Uno Mas” from an esteemed friend and colleague, LT Dave Campbell, CEC, USN, when stationed in Sigonella, Sicily. However, I had a preconception that organizations like ANSO were exclusive to “Academy” type officers – closed to outsiders like myself.

Over the ensuing months, Dave mentioned ANSO in passing and how he first heard about it while at the Naval Academy years before. He clarified what I misunderstood and introduced me to then RP1 Rafael Barney and my interest grew. I found myself wanting to know more about ANSO, why I had not heard about it and most intriguing, what is meant by the concept of, “Uno y Uno Mas.” Over the next few years I attended several ANSO Conferences, met some OUTSTANDING Sailors and Marines and grew convinced that I should become a Lifetime Member. Subsequently, we petitioned to start the first Overseas Chapter of ANSO aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella. We attended the conference in San Diego, California in 2008 where our new chapter, the Commodore Robert F. Lopez, USN, Chapter was established. I proudly recall being ANSO coined by CAPT Contres and feeling optimistic about the future of ANSO and our newly found overseas chapter. Dave and I quickly got to work and reached out to folks in the Naples, Italy area and Rota, Spain in order to generate awareness and interest in ANSO.

My first realization throughout this process is that Dave was the “Uno” and I was the “Uno Mas.” My second realization is that there was little known in the Navy about ANSO and other affinity groups in the Navy. I found myself briefing groups of Sailors and promoting heritage events but doing little to promote ANSO’s professionalism and mission. It was during this time that my daughter Jennifer expressed interest in submitting applications to the sea service academies. Five years ago, ANSO instilled a drive in LTJG Jennifer Patron that continues to this day.

A Navy Junior, Jennifer attended Department of Defense Schools overseas and was active in JROTC. During my travels and networking I asked fellow ANSO members what pieces of advice I could pass to my daughter to help her better prepare for a highly competitive application process. I found that everyone was highly encouraging and supportive. Jennifer was eventually offered a seat in the 2009 Coast Guard Academy Scholars Program and she attended the New Mexico Military Institute followed by her years at the Coast Guard Academy – earning her commission in 2014. It has been eleven years since I was first introduced to ANSO and I am planning to attend this years’ Eastern Region Symposium. I am eager to reconnect with shipmates from our sea services and proud to introduce LTJG Jennifer Patron, USCG to the ANSO Family.

There is no shortage of excellent role models and mentors found in a professional organization such as ANSO. Professionals like CAPT Angela Katson, USN, CAPT (SEL) Sergio Chavez, USN and LCDR(Ret) Rich Angelet, USCG. All of this stems from the encouragement of one David Ray Campbell who suggested I, “check ANSO out.” Now with LTJG Patron, USCG charting her own course, I feel that I fully understand the concept and meaning of “Uno y Uno Mas – con ANSO.”

ANSO continues to foster the personal growth and professional development of Hispanic officers and civilian individuals by providing mentorship, career based networking, training and educational opportunities. ANSO provides members with skilled professional mentors for the purpose of developing leadership skills and inspiring enlisted members to remain in the Service well beyond their initial commitment.

In June of 2012, Matthew Alexander Angel, a young Hispanic male, was identified by ANSO volunteers as a man who had the potential to serve as a Naval Officer. Matthew, who despite having his Bachelors in Primary Education, was barely scrapping by earning $1,400 a month as a substitute teacher. Our volunteers saw that he wasn’t fulfilling his full potential at his current position and it was agreed that Matthew was to enroll in our Mentor Shadow Program. Matthew was recruited by three ANSO members, who aligned with his personal story and career aspirations, and mentored him through our educational and career focused program which specializes in creating opportunities which otherwise wouldn’t be available to Matthew and many others like him.

Brian Alvara, one of the ANSO members who also served as an officer recruiter, mentored him through the process, providing career based information and instructional advise on how to accomplish Matthew’s aspirations. Matthew had now begun to shadow his matched executives, allowing him unparalleled access into future career paths. This tailored mentoring is aimed to inspire the mentee to perform best professional and life practices, developing leadership skills, and inspiring members to accomplish life goals. Our mentors help our Hispanic members, like Matthew, build their networks so they are able to translate the skills they’ve learned into future career paths.

To ensure Matthew’s success, Brian Alvara and other ANSO mentors, had him studying for the officer entry exam (ASTB), right away and recommended a workout program for OCS (Officer Candidate School). ANSO mentors guided Matthew through the process and assisted him with the application and the medical clearance procedures. ANSO, utilizing its vast network of seasoned career professionals, connected Matthew with an ANSO contact in Naval Aviation to get him an interview with a Senior Naval Aviator. By creating objectives and establishing program key performance indicators (KPIs), ANSO was able to garner the support Matthew needed to realize his full potential.

In July 2016, Matthew Angel completed all flight training requirements and today he is a successful Lieutenant (junior grade) serving as a P8 Poseidon pilot, and currently deployed to Sigonella, Sicily with the United States Navy. To this day, Matthew still has access to all ANSO members to receive mentoring on proper career management to reach his promotion objectives in the Navy.

Submitted by Al Angel, USN (Retired)

When I enlisted in the Coast Guard, it was hard for me to believe that I would possess the qualities that the service would be looking for in an officer. I am a Latina, born and raised in a Spanish-speaking country and although I have lots of great qualities, I was still far from being perfect and it was that gap that made me hesitate so much.

“Do I have the technical expertise that they need? Are my qualities really special? Why would they pick someone who has a strong accent as I do?” Those were some of my (many) insecurities. Two things I knew for sure: I possess a great ability to learn new things and I am a very optimistic person.

When we think about leaders, we think about extremely gifted people who possess amazing qualities that make them unrealistically unique. Sometimes it is hard for us to think that leaders are regular people like you and me. I learned English on my own without any formal courses when I was 14, and before joining the service I was a very successful entrepreneur in the private sector for more than 10 years, overcoming all the challenges of the worst economic recession of the past 60 years.

As Latinos, sometimes we do not realize that we are really unique. We are all natural-born leaders. We have all dealt with difficult situations; we know how powerful diversity can be; and we feel great taking care of people and helping them to achieve their goals. We treat everybody as family, and for Latinos, family is sacred. Regardless of the circumstances that we might be experiencing, we wake up every morning thankful to be alive and optimistic about everything around us. We do not think about how bad things might be. We are always thinking about solutions to make things better, and that mi amigo(a), is exactly what the Armed Forces is looking for.

Leaders
Achievers
Talented
Innovative
Noble
Optimistic
Supportive (and “Super nice” too…)

Therefore, I invite you today to challenge yourself, to pursue your goals no matter how difficult they might seem. I encourage you to start, continue or complete your education; to advance in your military career as much as you can; to always keep improving yourself, and most importantly, never forget to help others on your way up.

We have what the services need. We are all special and unique. We are Latinos!

Submitted by Tamaris Hidalgo, Ensign, USCG