(Piper Norm Weaver prepares to lead the head table to their places at the 47th Annual Naval Intelligence Dining In at Fort Meyer. Photo Socotra).
I have 177 pictures from the NIP Luncheon yesterday and the 47th Dining In last night and not a lot of energy to edit and enhance them, but I am going to do it anyway. And do at least a rough account of what went on.
I cannot go on Liberty the way I used to- that is for sure. The beer tasting Thursday night left me a little ragged, and I had completely forgotten that the two big events of my former professional life would sandwich all of Friday.
The NIP Fall Meeting and Luncheon: The guard has changed. Jake is out as Chairman, after seven years at the helm. Terry likewise is turning over the Presidency. The morning featured the annual business meeting in which the results of the voting were announced for the new Board and leadership, and there was a stimulating panel discussion by some Commanders with recent Fleet experience to talk about the effects of the reorganization that produced the Navy Corps of Information Dominance.
Then the social hour- I arrived late due to other commitments, and only had time for one glass of pre-happy hour white- before the luncheon proper. VADM Ted “Twig” Branch was to speak about his views for the way ahead. He has his hands full as an Aviation Officer being handed the keys to the Intel, Cryppie, Meteorology and Communications communities as a unified enterprise, and continue the implementation of a uniform set of policies to stop the internecine conflicts between the disparate that drove the operators crazy.
I was interested to hear his thoughts. I knew him out in the Fleet, long ago when we were both Lieutenant Commanders, and sincerely wish him the best. Jake explained from the podium, once we were all seated, that a sudden NAVCOMPT meeting in the Pentagon had required Twig’s personal presence, and times being what they are, not being at the meeting would probably result in being de-funded. Sam was tapped to fill in as guest speaker. It was very much a Washington Luncheon in that regard: incoming Chairman Bob had to leave early, and his opening remarks were limited to a wave from the head table.
I am no longer doing the Quarterly, or rather, we have killed the hard-copy and moved on to digital dissemination of articles such as this. Terry is moving on to other projects, and will be relieved by Dick Perra. The leadership at the top has thus turned over, though Dave will continue to manage the Foundation, and the Committee Chairs have been shuffled with Lynn heading back to government (and a potential conflict of interest) in the Outreach, so things have completely changed. I will continue to chunk in articles and photos as the NIP’s own cub reporter, Jimmy Olsen.
Jake’s involvement with the Navy Information Day partnership with AFCEA has left the treasury sound and solvent, and he can be proud that the organization will be able to honor the commitments to scholarships and good works that makes us all proud to be part of it.
(Outgoing NIP Chair Jake and departing President Terry).
Other changes are in the wind. Terry mentioned that she was recommending a change to the traditional venue for these things- the Tysons Corner Crowne Plaza- was just too inconvenient for the active duty folks and others who are tied to ONI at Suitland or DIA in Anacostia or the Pentagon down by the River. That would be big. We have been trudging out to the wilds of Fairfax since I can remember, and it would be nice to not have to do that. I am sure Sid could remind us why we were there- I assume some earlier generations of the leadership had jobs at B-A-H or SAIC, which are just up the road.
(Not-quite-retired Sam and incoming NIP Chairman Bob).
(Liz, COMONI, and recently retired Norm.)
Sam was at his best during his remarks as Guest Speaker. He talked about his perspective on the role of the 1830 designator in the New World Order of the Information Dominance Corps. Unfortunately, his remarks are “not for attribution,” which is why we get some remarkable candor from speakers like former big DNIs Mike McConnell and Denny Blair. Suffice it to say that Sam may be the last and best of us old OPINTEL guys and thinks that the future might just bring us back around to our birthright.
The food was good- I was sitting with the Daves- and enjoyed the salmon. Whether we leave the Crowne Plaza or not, they do a good luncheon.
All of us had things to do after the lunch, and this was actually in the nature of a strategic pause, since the Dining In was that evening at what might be the last operating Officer’s Club at Fort Myer.
I had optimistically thought might be a regenerative nap time, but by the time I was attempting to wire up the tuxedo shirt with studs and cufflinks, I knew there was no time for that. Time to power through.
I motored over to Fort Myer and started taking pictures. The Piper was out front, warming up, and in his full kit had mesmerized a little boy and girl, who clutched their mother’s legs and looked on in wonder. I parked the Panzer and steeled myself for duty with the Canon EOS 50D camera.
(Halloween display at what might be the last O Club in the Army system).
(Piper).
(Paul and Emily).
(Looper).
(L-R, rumored nominee to head NSA VADM Mike Rogers, Chaplain, RADM Sam, and VADM “Twig” Branch).
Sam was president of the mess, and Mr. Vice was up to the task, once we got past the social hour and the Piper led us all up to the glittering Koran Room. Tradition has mellowed a bit, but this is Naval Intelligence at its best. Good comradeship, and the most diverse crowd I have ever seen of one of these dinners.
If this is what the future looks like for the Fleet, things are going to turn out just fine.
(COMONI and her gang. A good time was had by all.)
(Complete photos at https://www.facebook.com/jayare303)
Copyright 2013 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com