Association of Naval Service Officers
Encyclopedia
The Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO) is an organization dedicated to expanding the presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans
in the sea service of the United States Navy
the United States Marine Corps
, the United States Coast Guard
and the United States Merchant Marine
. The organization was established in 1981. ANSO connects and networks Hispanics in the Coast Guard, Marines and Navy together and supports recruitment and retention of officers in the sea service. Programs include mentoring, training, and education.
ANSO works closely with the Navy to support the diversity goals of the Chief of Naval Operations
of increasing the number of Hispanic active duty officers from 6 to 13 percent by 2037.
Edward Hidalgo
during the Carter administration from 1979-1981. Hidalgo began addressing recruitment options at the Hispanic Officer Recruitment Conference (HORC) in December 1980. As a result of this meeting, the Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO) was created. ANSO was formally established in February 1981.
In the 1990s, ANSO national president Raul Castaneda expanded the mission of the organization from one of recruitment of Hispanics to one that also included training and networking. Castaneda also helped increase the number of members, doubling it in size.
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
in the sea service of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and the United States Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
. The organization was established in 1981. ANSO connects and networks Hispanics in the Coast Guard, Marines and Navy together and supports recruitment and retention of officers in the sea service. Programs include mentoring, training, and education.
ANSO works closely with the Navy to support the diversity goals of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
of increasing the number of Hispanic active duty officers from 6 to 13 percent by 2037.
History
Recruiting Hispanics and preparing them for careers in the Navy was a special project of United States Secretary of the NavyUnited States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
Edward Hidalgo
Edward Hidalgo
Edward Hidalgo served as the United States Secretary of the Navy in the Carter administration from October 24, 1979 to January 20, 1981...
during the Carter administration from 1979-1981. Hidalgo began addressing recruitment options at the Hispanic Officer Recruitment Conference (HORC) in December 1980. As a result of this meeting, the Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO) was created. ANSO was formally established in February 1981.
In the 1990s, ANSO national president Raul Castaneda expanded the mission of the organization from one of recruitment of Hispanics to one that also included training and networking. Castaneda also helped increase the number of members, doubling it in size.
Chapters
ANSO has chapters in many states, directly assists the US Navy's efforts in attracting Hispanics as naval officers, as well as retaining Hispanic officers through recruitment, mentoring and educational efforts. ANSO events like the annual Professional Development and Training Symposium attract high-level military leaders who assist in furthering the organization's goals.ANSO Board of Directors
The board consists of 23 members.- National President: CDR Mery-Angela Katson, USN
- National Executive Vice President: CDR Ric Rodriguez, USCG
- National Secretary: LT Kristina Melendez, USN
- National Treasurer: CAPT Jose A. Acosta, MC, USN
Board of Advisors
- Ray Mellado, President and CEO HENAAC, Inc.
- Alma Riojas, President and CEO MANA, a Latina organization
- Carlos Del Toro, President and CEO, SBG Technology Solutions, Inc.
- Joe Mancias, Captain USN (ret.), ANSO Plank-owner
- Mike Acosta, President, Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists