Fellow Mustangs,  

I recently completed boards for this year’s candidates for LDO/CWO.  Two things struck me as I did boards in the Norfolk area as well as out here in the NAVCENT AOR.  One, we have a great bunch of candidates who are applying for this year’s board and two, I met several equally great candidates who are not applying for this year’s board.  I didn’t get in to all of the reasons some of these folks were not applying, but I will say there were candidates in both groups who did not fully understand what the LDO and CWO community is all about.  It is our jobs as leaders to identify, train and mentor our reliefs.  That has been a common theme for as long as I have been in the community.  It is also our responsibility to ensure those candidates fully understand the program for which they are applying and their role in the wardroom once selected.   

This does not only apply for LDOs and CWOs.  I sat several boards and processed applications for folks who were applying for other commissioning programs such as STA-21, MECP, etc.  These officers will go into the fleet when commissioned and support just about every enterprise, just as LDOs and CWOs do.  They will wear at least one good conduct medal on their chest and they will be viewed as Mustangs, because they are.  One other lesson I have learned in my time as a Mustang is, the opinion senior officers have of Mustangs was largely shaped by the way they were treated and supported by Mustangs when they were junior officers.  The impression you make on that young Ensign or Lieutenant (junior grade) is indelible.  Please make sure it is a good one.  

Which brings me to my point.  Regardless of the path they choose to a commission, it is incumbent on us as Mustangs to mentor candidates for any of the commissioning programs, and to continue to mentor all junior officers once they join the wardroom.  I ask that you do this not with the arrogance of someone who truly has been there, done that, but with the humility of someone who knows this an important piece of the strategic communication that will shape the community into the future.   

The Navy Mustang Association would like to offer their condolences to the family of LCDR Chris Williams (LDO) who died on 17 September near Millington, Tennessee.  He is survived by his wife and two children.  Chris had recently reported to NAVMAC from Japan. 

Lastly, I have met some great Mustangs who are doing absolutely phenomenal work in the Navy’s toughest and most challenging operational environment since I have been at COMUSNAVCENT.  Mustangs are serving in the hard jobs, throughout the AOR, and doing an absolutely superb job, whether assigned PCS, on an IA or GSA assignment, or as a mobilized reservist.   If you have Mustangs who are making a difference, or if you have a personal story to tell, please let us know at UPFRMRNK@aol.com so we can share them in the Pony Express.