Association of Naval Services Officers

Association of Naval Services Officers
FormationFebruary 12, 1981
FounderEdward Hidalgo
PurposeThe Premier Hispanic Organization of the Sea Services
Websitewww.ansomil.org

The Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO) is an organization dedicated to expanding the presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the Sea Services of the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Merchant Marine. The organization was established in 1981. ANSO connects and networks Hispanics in the Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy together and supports recruitment and retention of officers in the Sea Services. Programs include mentoring, training, and education.

ANSO works particularly closely with the Navy to support the diversity goals of the Chief of Naval Operations of increasing the number of Hispanic active duty officers from 6 to 13 percent by 2037.[1]

History

Recruiting Hispanics and preparing them for careers in the Navy was a special project of United States Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo during the Carter administration from 1979-1981. Hidalgo began addressing recruitment options at the Hispanic Officer Recruitment Conference (HORC) in December 1980. As a result of this meeting, the Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO) was created.[2] ANSO was formally established in February 1981.[3]

In the 1990s, ANSO National President CDR Raúl Castañeda, USN (1993-1996) expanded the mission of the organization from one of recruitment of Hispanics to one that also included training and networking. Castañeda also helped increase the number of members, doubling it in size.[4]

Chapters

ANSO has chapters in various states which directly assist the Sea Services efforts in attracting Hispanics as naval officers, as well as retaining Hispanic officers through recruitment, mentoring and educational efforts. ANSO conducts an east and west regional professional development symposium each year which attracts high-level military leaders who assist in furthering the organization's goals.[5]

ANSO Board of Directors

The board currently consists of 21 members (2012-2013).

  • National President: CAPT Roy Love, USN (Ret.)
  • National Executive Vice-President: LCDR Rolando Jesus Machado Jr., USN
  • National Treasurer: LCDR Edwin Ortiz, USCG
  • National Secretary: GySgt Dilia Introini, USMC Veteran
  • National Judge Advocate: CDR Sergio Villaverde, USCGR (Ret.)
  • Navy Service Representative: Vacant
  • Marine Corps Service Representative: LtCol. Jose Montalvan, USMC
  • Coast Guard Representative: LCDR Eric Driggs, USCGR

ANSO Board of Advisors

  • Ray Mellado, CEO Great Minds in Stem, ANSO BoA Chairman

References

  1. ^ Reese, David (2010-06-09). "Naval Officer Takes Pride in Mentoring Hispanics for Career Opportunities". Navy News Service. See also: Miller, Stephanie (2006-03-08). "ANSO to Host 26th Annual Professional Development and Training Symposium". Navy News Service.
  2. ^ Milite, George A. (2004). "Hidalgo, Edward: 1912-1995: U.S. Secretary of the Navy". In Ashyia N. Henderso; Ralph G. Zerbonia (eds.). Contemporary Hispanic Biography. Vol. 4. Gale. pp. 109–111. ISBN 0-7876-7151-7.
  3. ^ Anderson, Arianne (2007-03-23). "ANSO Hosts Symposium". Navy News Service.
  4. ^ "An influential Hispanic American in the military". Hispanic Times Magazine. 18 (1). Hispanic Times Enterprises: 38–39. Dec 1996. ISSN 0892-1369.
  5. ^ Ailes, Justin L. (2008-04-15). "ANSO Event to Highlight Hispanic American Impact". Navy News Service.

Further reading

  • Burgess, Tom (1987-02-22). "Navy hunting for Hispanics to fill its ranks". The San Diego Union. p. A1.
  • Castaneda, Raul (Mar–Apr 1994). "ANSO aids Navy with Hispanic recruiting". Hispanic Times Magazine. 15 (2). Hispanic Times Enterprises: 38. ISSN 0892-1369.
  • "Former Navy Secretary Charters New ANSO Chapter". Hispanic Times Magazine. 15 (4). Hispanic Times Enterprises: 32. Sep 1994. ISSN 0892-1369.
  • Crawley, James W. (2002-04-19). "Group seeks more Latinos in the Navy's officer corps". The San Diego Union. p. B2.
  • Dietrich, Robert (1985-09-20). "Naval officers help Hispanic youths beat `barrio syndrome'". The Tribune. p. B12.
  • Nelson, Barry J. (1989). "Hispanic Officers". Hispanic Times Magazine. 10. Hispanic Times Enterprise: 84–85. ISSN 0892-1369.
  • Stegherr, Laura K. (2010-07-30). "Navy Warfare Commanders Talk Diversity, Mentoring". Navy News Service.