
4 minute read
for transgender rights with U.S. Senators
from Flagship 03.02.2023
FromCenterForInformation

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WarfareTraining
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va On June 8, 2022, a cohort of 23 service members from both active duty and reserve components, of enlisted personnel and officers, spoke with elected officials in Washington D.C. about the National Defense Authorization Act and advocacy efforts in support of the Truman Amendment.
“Harry Truman Amendment,” if approved,wouldprotectallservicemember by making the Department of Defense’s non-discrimination policy into law. This potential amendment would ensure legal protectionsforservicemembersregardless ofrace,religion,sex(includingpregnancy), sexual orientation, and gender identity
Electronics Technician 3rd Class Zoe Rose currently serving as a staff member atInformationWarfareTrainingCommand (IWTC) Virginia Beach, was one of the 23 service members in attendance
All23weremembersofSPARTA,agroup oftransgender,non-binaryandgender-nonconforming people, currently serving, or whohaveservedintheUnitedStatesarmed forces The mission of SPARTA is to advocate for inclusive military policy provide peer support, and develop transgender military service educational resources on behalf of currently serving transgender military members
While in D.C., Rose had the opportunitytospeakwithfoursenatorsaspartofa small group discussion during which they sharedpersonalstoriesanddiscussedvariousbarrierstoaccesstocare.Thesenators that she met with were Michigan Senator Gary Peters North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, Maine Senator Angus King, and Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen.
During the meeting, Rose shared her personal story Rose joined the Navy in December2019,whenshewas20yearsold InMay2020,shedecidedtobeginhertransition. In order to make this happen there were many separate steps that she had to accomplish, including receiving a gender dysphoria diagnosis requesting permission from her commanding officer to start hormonereplacementtherapy,andreceiving an exception to policy

ThroughouthertimestationedatIWTC

VirginiaBeach,RosesaidthatCmdr James Brennan, former commanding officer of IWTCVirginiaBeach,andnowthecurrent commandingofficer Cmdr JohnCopeland, havebeenverysupportive,andwerealways quicktoprovideappropriateaccommodating action on her behalf
In September, Rose received a personal letter signed from President Joe Biden, thanking her, and expressing support and encouragement.IntheletterPresidentBiden wrote, “If we look ahead in our uniquely American way restless, bold, and optimistic andsetoursightsontheNationwe knowwecanbe,wewillmeetthismoment.I lookforwardtowritingthenextgreatchapteroftheAmericanstorywithyou.
Rose continues her advocacy, outreach, and educational efforts Most recently, she participated in a military keynote panel, hostedbyU.S.CoastGuard’sSectorVirginia Leadership Diversity Advisory Council in Portsmouth, Va., to represent transgender service members “ET3RoseisagreatSailorandatalented electronicstechnician Shementoredmeon the sometimes complicated and confusing guidance associated with her accomplishing her goals and completing her journey,” saidCopeland.“Iamfullysupportiveofher efforts SheisafantasticSailorthatweneed to get back out to sea.”
IWTCVB currently offers 69 courses of instruction in information technology, cryptology, and intelligence with an instructor and support staff of over 280 military, civilian, and contract members whotrainover6,300studentsyearlyatfive trainingsites Itisoneoffourschoolhouses for the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and also oversees learning sites at Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Jacksonville and Mayport, Fla.; Kings Bay, Ga.; and Groton, Conn
MIDLANT employee selected as NAVFAC Architect, Landscape Architect, and Interior Designer of the Year for 2023
FromNavalFacilitiesEngineering SystemsCommandMid-Atlantic

NORFOLK Va Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) recently announced Geoff Malia, R.A. as their selection as the NAVFAC Architect, Landscape Architect, and Interior Designer of the Year for 2023

“Please join me in congratulating Geoff Malia from NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic on his selection as the 2023 NAVFAC Architect, Landscape Architect, and Interior Designer (ALAID) of the Year,” said NAVFAC Commander/Chief of Engineers Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey “Being an engineering command, the importance of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design in the delivery of our projects and facilities can sometimes easily go overlooked and be underappreciated. That is why I am extremely proud to be the inaugural presenter of this new annual award!”
Malia, who is now serving as the Deputy Public Works Officer at Public Works Department (PWD) Great Lakes, Illinois, served as the project manager and engineering branch head there, leading a team that conducted $80 million of design, construction, and facilities management work across six states. In 2022, he managed NAVFAC MIDLANT’s largest structural inspection program, conducting many inspections in-house and completing them ahead of schedule
He also lent his expertise to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing projects to create fieldhospitalsand beds forpatientswithin an expedited delivery timeframe
Malia was first selected as the NAVFAC MIDLANT (Echelon IV) ALAID of the Year for 2023 late last year before going on to compete for this higher-level award. All nominees were evaluated in the areas of achievements in their respective field, civic and humanitarian activities, professional registration, continuing education, awardsandhonors,andprofessional/technical society involvement.
“This award speaks volumes to Geoff’s expertise and helps shine a light on the great contributions he makes every day at NAVFAC MIDLANT and within the Design and Construction community at-large,” said NAVFAC MIDLANT Commanding Officer Capt. Matt Riethmiller “He was chosen from an impressive list of qualified candidates, and I’m honored to join Rear Adm. VanderLey in saying ‘Congratulations’ on his selection.

I look forward to more great contributions from Geoff and our Great Lakes Public Works team.”
Malia, who was born in Toledo Ohio andcurrentlyresidesinArlingtonHeights Illinois holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a Master of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois His parents, Steve and Mary Malia, live in Maumee, Ohio
“I’m ecstatic this award was created for the technical communities Never would I have expected to be selected, let alone the first recipient, but I’m incredibly humbled, said Malia, who came to work for NAVFAC MIDLANT at PWD Great Lakes in 2012 “This award is the result of a number of incredible teams leaning forward to execute amazing work, and I could not be prouder of their efforts I continue to be impressed by the level of dedication can-do spirit, and technical competency of our people.”
NAVFAC MIDLANT provides facilities engineering, public works and environmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine, and as far west as Michigan, and down to Indiana. As an integral member of the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic team, NAVFAC MIDLANT provides leadership through the Regional Engineer organization to ensure the region’s facilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently and effectively For additional information about NAVFAC MIDLANT on social media, follow our activities on Facebook at www facebook.com/navfacmidatlantic and on Instagram @navfacmidatlantic.
GREATLAKES,Ill.(Feb 2,2023) Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) recentlyannounced NAVFAC







