Kennedy cites SAS, education and awards programs; Middendorf selected for Burke Award; Fisher elected senior VP

Sea Power, Jan 1999 by Reynolds, Jean B

The Navy Leaguer, the 16-page NLUS tabloid newspaper that debuted in 1996, continued to feature in-depth news about Navy League council programs and the accomplishments of individual members.

A 1998 market research study revealed high member satisfaction with the quality of NLUS publications. Asked to rank the value of Navy League programs and services, respondents gave the highest value rating to Sea Power magazine-with 93 percent of members of all ages voicing strong satisfaction. Among NLUS council presidents and other officers, the same survey recorded an extraordinary 100 percent vote.

Senior sea-service leaders also praised the Navy League and Sea Power for their role in increasing awareness, understanding, and support of defense programs and issues. "Sea Power has been instrumental in helping me articulate the strategic direction of our Corps throughout my tenure as commandant," said Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Charles C. Krulak in a November 1998 letter to the magazine. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jay L. Johnson also expressed appreciation for the Navy League's work in educating the American people. "Because of the continuing reduction in resources for the Navy, we need to reach communities throughout America to educate ... [the public] about how the long-term vital interests of the nation are served by our naval forces as we address the uncertain future," he said.

Corporate Affairs

Anticipating the changing needs of the League's corporate members, the Corporate Department developed two new programs directed toward achieving a closer interface between industry and the sea services. With the continued support of Rear Adm. Winford G. Ellis, the Oceanographer of the Navy and director of the Navy's Special Program Division, the department hosted a special breakfast series at NLUS Headquarters for selected groups of corporate members invited to hear Navy program managers discuss the direction the Navy is heading as it prepares to meet the challenges of the 21 st century. Among the speakers at the special breakfast series have been Vice Adm. George R. Sterner, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; Vice Adm. John A. Lockard, commander, Naval Air Systems Command; Adm. Frank L. Bowman, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion; Rear Adm. Robert M. Nutwell, deputy director, Space Information, Command, and Control; and Rear Adm. Thomas J. Elliott Jr., deputy director for Submarine Warfare in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

The Corporate Department's second initiative established a new Corporate Gold category for companies that through mergers and consolidations have become giants in the defense industry. By establishing this new category, the Navy League has been able to design certain benefits that ensure the Corporate Gold members are credited for their special contributions to the readiness of the sea services. The first four companies to become Corporate Gold members are Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Raytheon Systems. "We are extremely appreciative of the continued support that these companies have provided," Kennedy said, "and are proud of the defense contributions of all of our corporate and business associate members."