FROM MELISSA MARTEL SHORT

Hello,

 

Kathleen, thank you for setting this up for everyone!  What a great idea and an excellent way to communicate…and the price is right.

 

Dan and I are nearing the end of our geographical separation, so we are ecstatic!  I am currently at the Navy Annex, in Washington DC, as the Head of Advanced Education.  Mostly setting policy and determining what education the officers and enlisted personnel of 2020 should have.  Dan is running his business DRS Automotive Fantomworks, www.drsfantomworks.com, down in Norfolk, VA.  He is restoring antique automobiles and loving every minute of it.  On the list is my 57 Chevy Corvette Convertible, which he has promised to restore to its original condition and red with white coves paint job.  He is also a part-time consultant (30 or more hours a week) at Fort Eustis.  There’s never a dull moment for him.  We travel each weekend to see each other.  On the one hand we are blessed to see each other every weekend; on the other hand, traveling I95 & I64 can be a curse.

 

Our four-year-old son, Zachary, is here with me in DC.  He is attending pre-school at Fort Myer, only 2 miles from our house and my office.  The commute is quite convenient, and we are blessed to have such a wonderful home (thankfully we are renting) in Arlington.  Zachary enjoys Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, and Legos.  His favorite day of the school week is Friday, because that is show-and-share day.  He will start kindergarten in the fall in Norfolk.

I have orders (hard copy forthcoming) to Center for Naval Leadership, which is merging with Center for Personal and Professional Development, to form the Center for Sailor Development.  I’ll have to drive to Dam Neck everyday, so it’s ironic that I will actually have a longer commute in Norfolk than I do in DC.  Should be leaving here at the end of July, which is none too soon as far as we are concerned.

 

I will pin on Commander June first; actually, 30 May since the first falls on a weekend.  We are looking forward to that (especially the pay increase), and I’m very excited that my family is actually thinking of making the trek from TX & NM to see it.

 

If you are ever in the big city, give me a call.  Surprising how many people you run into here!

 

Take care and best wishes to you & yours,

Melissa Martel Short

From Kevin Evans

Latest picture in NOV 07 of the family here. Kristeen (my wife), Kyle-2, and Kayla 2 months. I am almost done with my XO tour on USS CURTS (FFG 38), leaving in March. I wanted to stay in SDGO so I took another sea tour. I am going to USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the C5I Officer (Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Combat Systems and Information... C5 and the I).

They wanted me to do another XO tour, with the new SWO CO fleet up program, they are transitioning by sending Post XO's to 0-6 Commands until the fleet up is in full order. I am not sure if anyone has done the XO job on a ship, but it wears you down... I doubt I'll be screening for command, so that was signing up for more pain when the original pain was so I could make 0-5. Made 0-5, no more pain required. I asked if I didn't screen for command what would happen, the detailer threw out the carrot of being the prime candidate for XO at a NROTC unit. LOL... If I forced shore duty, didn't screen for CO, then I would be back on sea duty before retiring. This way, I can go to sea now, find out I don't screen for Command, and find some "twilight" shore duty to retire at (probably after doing an IA).

I should be promoted to CDR in July if my math is correct (they stagger the promotion over the FY based on seniority). My next job should help a civilian resume, I earned my Masters Degree in Computer Info Management while attending the Army's Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth.

I hope everyone is doing well out there... I have ran into a few of us, I think Trent is doing well, he's probably still running up the food chain for a successful career. He and I were in the same Strike Group in 2004, I was on the flag staff and he was Suppo on Mobile Bay. If anyone is in the SD area, make sure you get a hold of me... I love watching Texas Tech play football on the weekends even when they only play for one quarter and win (eg the Outback Bowl). I have already started training the next Texas Tech fan (picture attached).

Kevin

From CDR Brunson

Starting March 3 I'll be working in DC. The apartment I have - I'll walk to the DC metro.

My official job description working in Crystal City, Arlington Va, and then into the Pentagon - GS 15

I'll be over a brand new division designed for DoD wide personal finance and transition assistance. The transition assistance is for guard and reserves (and their families) to transition back to civilian life after returning for combat zone and will expand to all active duty servicemembers and their families sometime in the future.

The position is located in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (DUSD (MC&FP)), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)). The position serves as a Supervisory Senior Program Analyst for MC&FP. The position advises and supports; the Principal Director of MCFP and the DUSD (MC&FP), on a broad range of policies and services that address the needs and challenges of military members and their families.

Incorporates business, social and economic trend analysis that impact program requirements for the military community into policy formulation. Recommendations are instrumental in the development or modification of DoD policies for military community and family programs.

Applies expert knowledge of military community and family policy programs and policy to develop innovative, cost effective, efficient approaches to support readiness, retention, and overall productivity for the total force. Develops, monitors and evaluates contracts related to military member and family support. Maintains a high level of awareness of requirements for regulatory guidance and regulations, management principles, program research, program requirements and the application of technology as related to military community and family support programs.

Develops policies, practices, and objectives advance the program objective of DoD in the broad range of issues affecting DoD programs supporting the needs of military members and their families.

Dr. Bruce H. Brunson Executive Director Open Campus Military Education and Government Programs Florida Community College at Jacksonville

From Mario Condit

Hello to everyone! Kathleen, thank you for all of your hard work and for your persistence. I/we appreciate all of your efforts. Karla and I are still in California. I still work for Northrop Grumman Corp, under the Unmanned Systems Division. I am a lead software engineer working on the Fire Scout (MQ-8B). It is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. You can check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MQ-8_Fire_Scout I also spend my extra time working on bonsai and am the editor of the San Diego Bonsai Club newsletter. You can see one of our older newsletters at http://www.sandiegobonsaiclub.com/ click on newsletter. Karla has taken a haitus from nursing...after 21 years, she has had enough. She now takes care of our small zoo. Two pairs of cocktatiels (Tickles/Candy, Malibu/Latte). An outdoor 90 gal tank for our spoiled goldfish (4x). Two 5 gal tanks for assorted guppies, bottom feeders and frogs and two female bettas. Lastly, the outdoor gang consists of a skunk, possum, raccoons and three neighborhood cats that have adopted us. Pics to come soon! Mario Condit

I'll start...

So… I’ve been pretty much doing the same thing that I have been doing the last 10 years, working for the same company, but with a bit of a promotion, more responsibility and a fancier title.  I’ve traveled at every possible opportunity and have been to some fun places the last few months. I took an amazing trip to Ireland last year – and I attached pictures!    Tentative plans are in the works to do a trip to Peru and possibly Galapagos in May.  Also hoping to FINALLY pull off the Marine Corps Marathon this year if I can avoid injury, work conflicts and get my b-u-t-t  in shape J

 

I still have a ‘vette and pets that keep me entertained and out of trouble.  Other than that, I am just staying busy enjoying the sunny California weather… for now!

 

I hope all is well with you and yours!

Kathleen

Start Blogging

I have been very neglectful over the last few months and haven't done much in the way of updating our TTU NROTC website... and I am sorry! Life just got away from me and I couldn't seem to get everything done that I needed to! I thought a blog would be a new, different and free (!!) way to keep in touch with each other - allowing all of you to choose when to update and what to update! When you have something that you'd like to add/share, just email: ttunrotc.update@blogger.com Your update will be posted immediately (and automatically) on this site! I look forward to hearing how everyone is doing! -Kathleen

Welcome to the NEW TTU NROTC Site