"An influential Hispanic American in the military." - Logros de capitan de corbeta de la marina hispano Raul Castaneda - TA: Accomplishments of Hispanic Lieutenant Commander of the Navy Raul Castaneda

Hispanic Times Magazine, Dec, 1996

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Raul Castaneda enlisted in the military 23 years ago in his hometown, El Paso, Texas. He began his military career under the Advanced Electronics Program in Millington, Tennessee, where he graduated at the top of his class. He reported to fleet squadron (VS-33) and enrolled in night classes to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Digital Electronics. He eventually earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology from San Diego State University.

His proven ability and educational achievements secured him a place in the highly competitive Aviation officer Candidate School, and he was commissioned an ensign in 1980. As with all his intellectual pursuits, he successfully completed his course of studies, earning his wings of gold, and was designated a Naval Flight Officer. In his continuing search for excellence, he enrolled in the National University of San Diego and received his MBA with Emphasis in Human Resource Management in 1993.

LCDR Castaneda has enjoyed many successes due to his preparation, discipline, and hard work. As an enlisted service man, he achieved the rank of First Class Petty Officer in record time, only five years. At the time, he was recognized for conceiving an idea to modify an electronic circuit card, a suggestion that saved the Navy $257,000 annually.

As an officer, he was twice selected to be a Flight Instructor at the Training Squadron for the S-33 Aircraft he flew. As an aviator, he achieved 2300 flight hours and 307 arrested landings aboard numerous carriers on the West Coast. He has won numerous awards, among them the prestigious Wolfhunt competition, for breaking and setting records for dropping torpedoes on target.

During the Noriega crisis, he served as an aide to the Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command in Panama where he was awarded a medal for the successful capture of 43 Panamanian Defense Force personnel, numerous weapons, and ammunition. His other military decorations include: the Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Achievement Metals, Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Metal.

Currently, LCDR Castaneda is assigned to the Navy Recruiting Command in Washington, D.C., as the Deputy for Minority Affairs. As one of only a handful of Hispanic aviators in the Navy, he quickly saw the need to diversify the officer ranks. He devised a strategy known as the 12/12/5 Plan that was eventually adopted by the Secretary of the Navy. Taking population and representation ratios into account, the plan calls for a systematic increase in the officer ranks for both Hispanic and African Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders and Native Americans.

This plan provides opportunities for more minorities to enter the officer ranks more in line with the demographics of the U.S. population. This has led to the new accession goals of 12 percent Hispanic, 12 percent African American, and 5 percent Asian Pacific Islanders and Native Americans. He attributes his success in this endeavor to the Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO) of which he is National President. ANSO represents the Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Naval Officers and the membership is 93% Hispanic.

When LCDR Castaneda took over as President of ANSO, its sole mission was to assist the Sea Services in finding qualified minorities to enter the officer programs. Here too, he recognized the need for change and under his leadership ANSO expanded its mission to proactively prepare and raise the quality of Hispanic Sea Services Officers. This was achieved through more active and aggressive training and networking. The annual ANSO conference is the culmination of the members' yearlong search for qualified youths where those selected receive preparedness training, encouragement, and support.

LCDR Castaneda is an ardent advocate of military training because of the discipline and leadership qualities that are instilled in our youth which are necessary qualities in molding future leaders. He reminds us that the last 6 out of 8 Presidents of the United States have at one time or another been Naval Officers.

Another end result of LCDR Castaneda's effective leadership in ANSO has been to double the membership. The success story continues as evidenced by the increase of Hispanic officers promoted and the attainment of command billets. LCDR Castaneda is frequently called upon to sit on selection boards and panels to provide expertise and guidance. He is frequently sought by the Navy leadership to render opinions and ideas on policies that affect minority representation and recruitment. He takes great pride in the knowledge that his intervention as ANSO President has had such fruitful results in the quest to diversify the Navy. For these reasons, ANSO's successes have not gone unperceived as indicated by the expressed desire of Air Force and Army Hispanic Officers to join the organization or start one of their own. ANSO's recent National Conference was scheduled to take place at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. Castaneda is also the Eastern Vice President of the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES). He also serves as a member of the Navy's Civilian Advisory Council on Hispanic employment whose purpose is to increase the number of civilians within the Department of the Navy, in particular in the higher grades where Hispanics, are severely underrepresented. Among his busy schedule is another innovative initiative which he is spearheading within the Department of Defense to hire HACU summer interns starting last summer to insure Hispanics are in the pipeline for future placements.