Association of Naval Services Officers

Mentorship Program

ANSO Familia,

Are you interested in providing mentorship and professional development to students interested in a career as an Officer?

ANSO San Diego Chapter’s LT Jonathan Daniel has created a virtual mentorship program for Hispanic and Latin students in high school, college, as well as recent graduates to be connected with ANSO members. The objective of this mentorship program is to provide students with information, pathways, and personal insight into pursuing a career as a USN/USCG Officer.

Source: MyNavyHR Assessment Library “Demographic Data Comparison”

As of 2022, the ethnic Hispanic makeup of Navy Enlisted closely mirrors the national population; however, there is a stark decrease in Hispanic Officer representation that is non-proportional with the national population. We want to close that gap and increase inclusivity and a sense of belonging in order to focus on warfighting. Creating a Navy and Coast Guard with a proportional and diverse leadership corps leads to innovation and organizational creativity.

If you are interested in signing up as a mentor, please use the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFNyjB941Ht4QurtiP1zkbwNy422_wljOr6j-uYoX3hbqvPw/viewform

If you are a student, recent graduate, or know someone who would be interested in receiving a mentor, please direct to the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYhiYyK-RYxPRCKPk27wA4LeY15Us-vokEP0tWXnh25vs-6Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you have any further questions or concerns, comment below or reach out to LT Jonathan Daniel at danieljb4545@gmail.com

May 22, 2022

April 2022 Message

April was a significant month for the ANSO familia. Our Atlantic Region Symposium (ARS) welcomed leaders, members, partners, volunteers, and participants from our naval forces to experience the power of connection, an intrinsic value among Latinos. Identifying with the stories shared, exchanging business cards, and establishing new mentoring relationships were just a few expressions of connectedness in action. The ARS was a celebration of connected leadership, assuring maritime superiority as a constant endeavor.

We build connectedness as we open spaces that foster belongingness, trust, and mutual respect. As we carefully and purposely cultivate these spaces, relationships become more meaningful, interdependence grows, and personal value intensifies. Connectedness creates environments for leadership to flourish and renew itself.

My first lessons in connectedness came from my mother. She had the gift to build connections almost anywhere she went. People knew about Doña Blanca, her humanitarian spirit, and compassionate care. Since my role was to be her companion, I had the privilege of seeing her build relationships with people at all levels with humility and confidence. Through those interactions, she conveyed a message of dependability and reliance. People knew they could trust her and call on her whenever there was a need in the community. She was generous with her time, talents, and limited resources.

The experience of connectedness reemerged as we received the invitation to remember and say “never again” at the end of April. Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, was an opportunity to stop and consider the systematic murder of Jews and other minorities by the Nazi regime during World War II. In a spirit of connectedness, we had the opportunity to grieve the loss of human lives during one of the most challenging times in recorded history and renew our commitment to uphold and defend human rights.

As we consider the value of connectedness, from the individual to the communal, from our ANSO chapters to the entire organization, let us recognize its relevance personally and professionally, as well as the value of connectedness in the full range of the human experience, from the times of joyful celebration to the grief that energizes change and transformation.

May 11, 2022

March 2022 Message

In March of 2020, our typical world drastically changed. Streets were almost empty, traffic jams got reduced as workers and students stayed home, and even a roll of toilet paper along with cleaning supplies turned into gold. The reality of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) intrusively took hold of our existence as a world pandemic (as declared by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020) and a national emergency (13 March 2020). With COVID-19 came a wave of severe medical symptoms, the need for triaging patients who might receive further treatment, and ethical/moral decisions that stretched healthcare workers to the max. Uncertainty, fear, doubt, anger, and polarization abounded. Confirmed cases and deaths increased daily, and every new variant left us wondering about the future. At times, it seemed endless, with no practical resolution on sight.

To all these experiences, we add the challenges to mental health connected to isolation, social distancing, and masking. The experience of being away from our families during meaningful times and celebrations affected our core beliefs. Some experienced financial struggles as income declined, small businesses closed, and jobs changed value. A reidentification of spiritual toughness and connectedness became an implicit requirement to reengage with life. Creativity and intentionality turned out as the highest commodities to adaptation and resilient living.

As we come to this point in the “new normal” journey, take time to stop, go over the experiences lived through these two years of the pandemic, be thankful, and identify lessons learned about self, significant relationships, and values. We have grown in multiple areas and through challenging environments.

Above all, we have kept our hope alive.

April 12, 2022

ANSO 2022 Atlantic Region Symposium Registration Open

Registration is open for our 2022 Atlantic Region Symposium, which will be held 12 to 14 April 2022 onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. A virtual option will also be available.

This year’s theme is ”Leadership Excellence: Assuring Maritime Superiority.” We have an impressive line up of speakers and all all are invited to participate.

The event is open to ANSO members and sponsored participants. Military services are sponsoring a number of spots which include a one year membership. Details on how to obtain a sponsorship can be found in the service specific messages posted in our event page.

Full details and the agenda can be found on our event page.

April 4, 2022

February 2022 Message

My Colombian ancestors come from multiple shapes and colors. My father’s hair, skin, and facial features are those of a mulatto. His curly hair grew like an afro. My mother used to take care of haircuts every time. With no formal training, she knew how to make it work. The pictures of my great-grandmother reaffirm the fact that there is a large amount of Black in my family. The Afro-Latin blood is part of my heritage, even if the pigmentation of my skin doesn’t explicitly show it.

As we celebrate the contributions of Blacks to the sociocultural, political, scientific, and economic framework of America in the month of February, it’s also time to talk about the Afro-Latinos who have been a part of this process. The conversation about Afro-Latinos has been ongoing for years. One example comes from Roberto Angleró, a Puerto Rican artist. Satire and art aligned in 1979 with Angleró’s song “Si Dios fuera negro.” Recent years have brought a resurge in the multiracial dialogue in many countries in Latin America. These continue to raise awareness of the discrimination towards Blacks in such environments. There are still a lot of covert patterns of discrimination to address. The future of these conversations is promising.

While only 25% of Hispanics in the United States identify as Afro-Latinos according to a Pew Center report, Afro-Latino: A deeply rooted identity among U.S. Hispanics by Gustavo Lopez and Ana Gonzalez-Barrera, many of them live the experience of intersectionality as a byproduct of race and ethnicity in the shadows, buried in a limbo of disconnection. What are their family roots? Where do they belong? Still, through all these questions and experiences, many Afro-Latinos have shown resilience, overcame obstacles, and left a legacy that continues to transcend today.

Afro-Latinos like astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, historian Arturo Schomburg (founder of what is known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture), actress and dancer Sylvia del Villard, and television news anchor Gwen Ifill have been remarkable examples of the power of resilience and active engagement. Artists like Celia Cruz, “Machito” (born Frank Grillo), Mario Bauza, and Johnny Pacheco, among others, challenged the status quo and pushed the boundaries in the world of entertainment. In sports, some of the most significant examples of Afro-Latinos come from the world of baseball. Players like Estevan Bellan, Rafael Almeida, and Armando Marsans opened the door for waves of Afro-Latinos to make a difference on the diamond. These names only scratch the surface. There are many others we honor and emulate.

Considering my Afro-Latino heritage, Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos makes several strong points through the verses of “Ay, ay, ay de la Grifa Negra.” The lines and a reading of such a strong poem are available below. De Burgos masterfully carves the messages of resilience, identity, and strength.

Be proud of our Afro-Latino heritage!

Ay-ay-ay-de-la-Grifa-Negra-Translated-2 Download

March 8, 2022

December 2021 Message

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of a simple tune that has been the delight of many, young and old during the holiday season. It celebrates the magic of the season with a bilingual message. The song repeats six words in Spanish and 14 in English. It happens to be one of those songs that stick to the unconscious of anyone listening, echoing, again and again, this refrain: “Feliz Navidad; Feliz Navidad; Feliz Navidad, Prospero Año y Felicidad. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas; I want to wish you a Merry Christmas; I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.” This catchy beat is as new today as it was five decades ago.

It’s hard to believe that this meaningful holiday song was released two years after José Feliciano faced one of the most controversial moments in his professional career as he performed the Star-Spangled Banner during the 1968 World Series. His soulful interpretation was met by boos, yelling, and disapproval from some people in the crowd. Feliciano faced strong criticism outside the ballpark as well. Many people back then were not used to hearing different versions of the national anthem.

The Puerto Rican musician and composer didn’t let his career go sour. After all the mixed messages in response to this performance, he remained true to himself. Trusting his skills, he devoted himself to his mission as an entertainer. He maintained one foot grounded on his Latin roots and the other crossing over to the American market. Two years after so many had turned against his performance of the national anthem, he found a way to break through the ice of criticism, reopening the door to new opportunities to explore his creativity. Every stroke of his acoustic guitar brought the island spirit across people from different cultures.

Feliciano, visually impaired from birth, loved music since he was a child and didn’t let glaucoma become a label to hold him from reaching his highest potential.

Thinking about this journey, I wonder: what is our glaucoma? What is our ballpark or performance? What is our guitar? What is the new song that inspires new hearts every day?

May we continue to celebrate the New Year en familia.

For more of José Feliciano’s music check out his YouTube channel

Previous En Familia messages

January 8, 2022

November 2021 Message

Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, The First Thanksgiving,1914, Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, Massachusetts — Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, *The First Thanksgiving,* 1914, Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, MA, USA.

Cooking, traveling, cleaning, decorating, sharing, a little dancing, laughing. Perhaps, we participated in some of these activities in the last week as we celebrated Thanksgiving Day. I remember my first Thanksgiving Day after arriving in the United States in 1991. Some friends told me about the celebration. The portrait of pilgrims and natives enjoying a meal together was the picture-perfect image in my mind for years. Time and time again, I remember sharing this with friends and family. It was a tragic story with a happy ending.

Recently, I became aware of the National Thanksgiving Proclamation, the first of its kind, released by President George Washington. The idealistic image of the meal gained historical perspectives with this written document, a declaration signed in New York City, 26 November 1789, and calling for a public day of prayer and thanksgiving. Washington’s proclamation didn’t call for a permanent observance. It connected well with the sociopolitical environment of the time and was a voice in a chain of leaders who called for days of thanksgiving throughout the years. It wasn’t until President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863 that the National Day of Thanksgiving became a permanent celebration.

Washington invited all citizens to join in thanksgiving and prayer (1) for the new government; (2) for God’s protection before and after the war; and (3) for the future of the nation. What are you thankful for today? What inspires your heart to gratefulness? As we embark on the holidays, express your thanksgiving and pray as you name your blessings this year, both personally and professionally.

President Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation reads as follows:

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

(From https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-sources-2/article/thanksgiving-proclamation-of-1789/)

November 30, 2021

ANSO Featured on NBC Nightly News Report

ANSO was featured in a Nightly News report that aired on November 10, 2021, which talked about Hispanic/Latino representation at the upper levels of our military services. Our President, CAPT Roy Love (USN ret), was interviewed and his comments are featured at the 2:44 mark.

As CAPT Love mentions in the interview, we/ANSO are blessed to have the support of, and access to, many senior leaders that make themselves available to our membership. Perfect example is our current Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, who has been an active ANSO member and who recently participated in our Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) and 40th Anniversary virtual celebration. His remarks at the event can be found in our new ANSO Lens page. Other highlights of the event can be seen on our YouTube Channel Playlist.

The NBC report is a great opportunity for ANSO to get national level visibility and we must build on the momentum by educating people on our organization, and continue our mission dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of Hispanics and Latinos across all ranks of the US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, and US Merchant Marine. To that end, we continue to actively work to provide opportunities for our members to obtain the career guidance, mentorship, and professional development necessary to prepare and successfully compete for those challenging assignments and opportunities. Nothing is impossible with the right attitude and support network.

Some of our new initiatives/features include:

As we continue to focus on the Lines of Effort (LOEs) outlined in our ANSO Strategic Plan 2021, we ask members to participate in our local chapters, consider taking on leadership roles at the chapter or national level, and take advantage of the opportunities made available. We will continue to provide updates via emails, our website, and our social media channels. Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or recommendations. We are at your service, thank you for your continued support, and Adelante con ANSO!!