My name is CPT David Ouano.  I am one of two 8th Brigade ROTC Nurse Counselors, stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA.  I started this blog to write about my participation in the 102nd National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NCAAP), 23-29 July, at the Los Angelos Convention Center.

I am an Captain, in the Army Nurse Corps.  I graduated from the University of Guam, ROTC program with a Bachelor's in the Science of Nursing.  As an Army Nurse, I worked at many different medical facilities including Tripler Army Medical Center and Schofield Barracks (Hawaii), Landstuhl Regional Medical Center ant 67th Forward Forward Surgical Team-Airborne (Germany).  I was also severed a one year deployment in Afghanistan. 

As the 8th Brigade ROTC Nurse Counselor my primary job is to counsel and assist Nursing students who (1) attend an accredited 4 year Nursing BSN Program and (2) enrolled/contracted as an ARMY ROTC Cadet.

For those not familiar with the NAACP, it is an influential non-profit organization committed to ensuring the political, education, social and economic equality for minority groups.  Many people misinterpret that it this conference is geared towards African Americans, but that is incorrect.  Although founded by African Americans, they also support all minority groups, including Hispanic, Asians, and Pacific Islander.  I am from the island of Guam, a Chamorro.  As a minority, I am excited to attend this conference.

NAACP objectives:

1) Ensure the politcal, eduation, social and economic equality of all citizens

2) Achieve quality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States

3) Remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes

4) Seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights

5) Inform the public of the adverse effects fo racial discrimination and work for it elimination.

The NAACP objectives are very similar to the goals and opportunities provided by the US Army.  In the military, we strongly believe in our 7 Army Values: LDRSHIP (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage).  The military does not tolerate discrimination based on color, ethnicity or gender. 

While attending the Conference, we will be setting up a booth providing the different leadersip opportunities and educational benefits provided by the US Army to its youth, adults, and communities.

I hope our readers continue to follow this blog and share my experiences with your fellow colleagues.