Navy CyberSpace Blog » Recommendations

Join the USNI

NCCM(ret) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:37:52 +0000

If you are considering a career in one of our sea services, I recommend that you join the United States Naval Institute (USNI).

Your USNI membership will give you access to online resources to assist you in gaining valuable knowledge of our nation’s history. A resource that no Future Sailor and interested family members should be without.

From the USNI Member’s Benefits page;

You empower active-duty Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen by giving them exclusive access to strategic insights and perspectives that shape their understanding of key issues that challenge America’s armed forces, plus the real-world, decision-making tools they use every day to carry out their missions and keep America strong, safe and free.

You foster a stronger, more dynamic national defense by providing the means for an indispensable independent forum that stimulates and enables an open exchange of Sea Services commentary and discourse that challenges conventional wisdom and maximizes the quality of professional debate.

You honor the men and women of our Sea Services by preserving their powerful legacy and history so that future generations may continue to value their service, dedication and sacrifice.

Join the USNI here.

I know you will enjoy it as much as I.

OK, now that you have joined, you get to complete your first official action as a member of the United States Naval Institute. Before midnight 12 March 2012, you get to vote for the Board of Directors. Before you vote, I recommend that you visit one of the candidates, the Steel Jaw Scribe, and read up on his vision. He received my vote, I hope he gets yours, too.

Disclaimer: I am a member of the USNI. This recommendation is my own, and I have not received compensation of any kind to generate this post.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Project Valour-IT 2011

NCCM(ret) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:13:57 +0000

This year, from today to the 14th of July, we must pool our resources and truly help and assist our Wounded Warriors. With Soldier’s Angels Project Valour-IT, there is no better direct contribution to their well-being that you can make beyond handing your resources directly to them. You see, Project Valour-IT is a 100%, absolutely no administrative cost deducted, donation to the cause – that is a rare occurrence, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

Over the years, more than 6000 of our Wounded Warriors have benefited from the donations made to Project Valour-IT, but, sadly, many more than 6000 could have benefited if only there was more money available.

What is Project Valour-IT?

Project Valour-IT helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Items supplied include:

Voice-controlled Laptops – Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.
Wii Video Game Systems – Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities)
Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

Worthy cause, you bet. Join me, and the rest of Team Navy in helping Soldier’s Angels reach the goal of $100,000 this year; leave no Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Coast Guardsman nor Airman behind.

*Soldiers’ Angels is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Navy Veteran, Rashad Houston

NCCM(ret) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:38:02 +0000

Many people who have served in the Navy went on to achieve fame pursuing their life’s dream. A few that immediately come to mind are Ernest Borgnine, Bill Cosby, Senator John McCain, Stanley Burrell (MC Hammer), Johnny Carson and, heck, the list goes on and on.

Rashad Houston, a Navy Veteran in pursuit of a music career, may just be our next famous Sailor; he has written and performed a number of songs in a genre I am not familiar, but this one is powerful and is so far my favorite.

Can’t Break My Soul by Rashad Houston

Another example of his work, and example of why success may come sooner than later:

I wish him well, and hope you enjoy his music, too.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Boston Maggie Has Put Out the Call!

NCCM(ret) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:11:25 +0000

Boston Maggie’s Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate has found a particular problem in Khandahar. His unit has come across a group of wounded Marines who have slipped through the cracks so to speak. They come in straight from the field with the clothes on their back. In most cases, these Marines have suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). They are in this location to see the doctors at the nearby facility, which is top-notch, before being shipped out to other facilities.

So, what’s the problem? Get yourself over to her blog and find out how you can help!

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Veterans Day 2009

NCCM(ret) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:43:14 +0000

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. To help commemorate the day I suggest that you start your two minutes of silence at 1100 (time that major hostilities of World War I were formally ended on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918) that you donate to the Soldier’s Angels Project Valour-IT campaign. 100% of your donation to Project Valour-IT will be used to purchase laptops and other technology that will support recovery, provide independence, and freedom to our wounded Warriors.

H/t SJS
Your gift will leverage technology to help those who sacrificed so much, assisting them in living a better life.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Broadside for Valour-IT!

NCCM(ret) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:22:01 +0000

HA! You have to love Navy Recruiting cartoons done in good taste by famous cartoonists! Jeff Bacon, author of the Broadside cartoons, published his latest work to help support the Valour-IT fund raising campaign. Gahh, enough with me talking, read the comic strip!

See the rest of this cartoon on Jeff Bacon’s Broadside blog and don’t forget to donate to Valour-IT!!

Hey, I just realized – Today, 29 years ago, I started my first day of Navy bootcamp at RTC Orlando. Dang, time flies.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

The Valour-IT Auction

NCCM(ret) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:41:57 +0000

Last night you gave out about $30 worth of candy to a bunch of little kids – how about today you pledge at least that like amount to our wounded warriors? Either use the widget in the sidebar or go to this very special E-Bay auction where you can bid on everything from autographed baseballs to beautiful lithographs, all profits will go to our wounded warriors via Project Valour-IT! Here is the link!
E-Bay Valour-IT

As Neptunus Lex puts it, “Now, besides the warm glow of knowing that you’ve helped a wounded troop reconnect with his family, friends and the world, you can also receive a tangible reminder of your munificence…”

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

2009 Project Valour-IT

NCCM(ret) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:23:30 +0000

And it begins! Once again, Team Navy is helping raise funds for Project Valour-IT. As you may know, on March 9, 2009, Bonnie and I put a couple of thousand dollars into some stocks with the idea of donating, in the name of #TeamNavy, 10% of any money made or $100 whichever was greater on the last day of the drive – November 11, 2009.

The fund started with $2215.62, and to date it is up to $3513.66 – so far we are up to $129.80! You can track the amount daily on the side bar. Don’t worry, bad days won’t effect the total, the amount will only go up!

Ready to pledge a like amount in the name of Team Navy? Click on the Valour-IT widget in the sidebar, what a great way to start your holiday season!

“Project Valour IT”, of Soldier’s Angels, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Soldiers Angel’s has been designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity by the IRS, so direct donations to Soldiers’ Angels are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Just So Ya Know

NCCM(ret) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:31:02 +0000

For the past week I have been kept very busy with the wife’s latest “honey do” list. The list includes such tasks as tinting the windows of the house (to reduce air conditioning costs), installing hardwood floors in the family room and more, much more…

Well, we can check off installing the hardwood floors from the list – job completed (with help from my neighbor, Joe, the flooring expert – Thanks Joe!!). Some pictures;

Using Bruce Ponderosa Maple 5 inch planks

The floor is in, time to put the furniture back!

Blury picture but trust me, the room looks better :)

The job took about a day and a half to complete. Now I get to go play golf before I finish the tinting – arched windows are a PAIN!

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

How About Some Jazz Music In Memphis!

NCCM(ret) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:25:43 +0000

If you live in the Memphis area I highly recommend you attend Rakenn’s Thursday night jazz session. It is truly an “old school” relaxing event. It features LIVE music and even open mic poetry reading – yea, that’s right, poetry, it is what us college students do!

Place: “The Center” on Highland at Park Ave in Memphis. Across from the hair school. Can’t miss it.

Time: 5pm-12am on Thursday April 9, 2009, there is a small cover charge of $7 (ladies are free until 7pm). There is a dress code that will be enforced, no jogging suits or ball caps! Oh, you must be 21 or over to enter. There is a kitchen and it is a BYOB event so start chillin the Jagermeister and prepare to get JAZZED!

Jazz bands, musicians and poets who wish to participate, or you just have questions, feel free to contact the host for additional information, call (901)486-6073

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.