NAVY NEWS STORIES ARE HERE and HERE.Captain Willie L. Metts was selected for Information Warfare (IW) Flag (Rear Admiral) by the FY11 Flag Selection Board. Captain Metts is currently serving as division director, information warfare senior detailer/placement officer, PERS 47, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee.
Congratulations Shipmate !!
Captain Willie L. Metts of the United States Navy has also just been named the 2010 Distinguished Black Engineer of the Year and received recognition at the 13th Annual National Society of Black Engineers Golden Torch Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Captain Metts, who serves as division director, Information Operations and Intelligence Assignments (PERS-47), Navy Personnel Command, is one of only 1,070 Information Warfare officers in the Navy and is the highest-ranking African American in that specialty.
Career Highlights:
Savannah State University (NROTC) 1985 (historically black college or university (HBCU))
USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092) (CICO/EWO)
USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), Desert Storm
Naval Postgraduate School, (Thesis not available)
Naval Security Group Potomac,
Carrier Strike Group 2,
United States Pacific Command
NIOC Hawaii (CO) and
NPC-47
For more on NSBE, go HERE.
PLEASED TO ADD that RADM Arthur J. Johnson (USNA 1979), Commander, Naval Safety Center, was the guest speaker. Admiral Johnson and I were cadet officers in the same AFJROTC unit (GR-71) in Wiesbaden Germany at General H. H. Arnold High School and wrestled for the Warriors all over Europe. Looking for him to pick up his 3rd star soon !!
13 comments:
afraid to comment.
I'll comment! "Black" engineer of the year? WTF? This is 2010 not 1965 why are we still singling out different races? What would happen if we had a "White Whatever of the Year?" When are we going to treat everyone the same regardless of race? I call BS! With DADT being changed are we going to have the "Distinguished Gay Engineer" of the year or Gay Pride month?
"Highest-ranking African American"
Who cares? I thought the Navy was suppose to be "color blind" It shouldn't matter what color a person is...it bring the meaning of an Officer down...He is a African-American Captain...Asian-American Captain....WHO CARES! Why can't he just be a Captain or a Distinguished Engineer of the Year? Why does race still matter in this day and age? We don't say oh he is a White Captain...She is the White Distinguished Engineer of the Year...in order to move forward in race issues we need to be color blind!
First of all, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is recognizing Captain Metts and not the US Navy.
Secondly, 1965 is hardly a "lifetime" ago. A little less than 50 years ago, the US was segregated! The Black community and all other minorities for that matter, must celebrate every accomplishment.
I am curious what engineering accomplishment he had over the past year which warrants this recognition. Isn't he doing admin?
1610 CDR FT MEADE, I share your curiosity. He is a great American who happens to be black and does have an engineering degree, but as a Detailer, why was he even nominated? I am told that NAVCYBERFOR Diversity Officer is nominating "Diverse Individuals" for diversity awards unbeknownst to them. One LCDR with the charter of diversity awareness is instead creating a diverging culture and confusing many.
Isn't it UNUSUAL for anyone to be an Admiral and never have command??
I believe Captain Metts was CO of NIOC Hawaii.
He in fact was, I served under him for the entire time. Most down to Earth CO I've ever met.
Can someone talk about Captain Metts' engineering achievements? I couldn't find that on the website. I am nearly done with the EE curriculum here. Wondering what assignments I should line myself up for. I could not find his thesis in the Dudley Knox library (physical) or BOSUN (virtual).
I had the opportunity to work with Adm (sel) Metts for several years. Our initial contact consisted of us of discussing (Will) and arguing (me) our different command positions on a large number of issues. He was always very logical, very polite, a good listener, and patient with me. These qualities are a few of many good qualities he has that will make him a good leader. Later he worked with me to design, implement, and evaluate a very important capability into the surface Navy. I know that Adm (sel) Metts will prove to be a good flag officer.
Why does it seem that you are so bothered that he was recognized for his achievements? All the way down to the fact that you are trying do do research to discredit him. If you put that much energy into your own business maybe you will be recognized for something other than being a BIG A$$ HATER. Quit being so concerned about everybody else life and get your own.
I served under then Lt. Metts as my CICO on the USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092). He was a really down to earth and respectable leader. Congratulations to Adm. (sel) Metts! Fair Winds and Following Seas!
OS2 Damian G. Mataraza
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