Ohio Military Reserve Association :: Ohio Military Reserve Association

A message from the OHMRA President
Posted by: ohmra on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 11:35 AM

Members of the Ohio Military Reserve Association and friends,

My first order of business is to ask all members to join me in thanking our outgoing President, Sam Cicchino, for his years of tireless service and dedication to furthering the Ohio Military Reserve through our OHMR Association. All of us are better for his service.

I also extend appreciation to Mike Lanzillotta, who continues as 1st Vice President, Chaplain Jerry Carter, plus our outgoing Secretary/ Treasurer, Sarah Reeseman for their service. Mike returns for another term as 1VP, Jerry continues as Chaplain and Sarah has graciously offered to continue serving our Association as our webmistress.

Thanks to all for their commitment.

I would be remiss to not recognize and thank our newly elected officers; 2VP John Knuckles and Secretary/ Treasurer Roger Patrick. Plus we have the added knowledge of volunteer NCO Advisors Tim Holly and Ron Meyer along with Advisor Mike Moran. I look forward to the honor of working with such an outstanding group!

Our priority is to take a hard, reasonably objective look at OHMRA and our state defense force. In my civilian job of producing TV commercials and documentaries, I have to try and see a client as their customers see them, and persuasively magnify the strengths. So, we must ask ourselves, “What’s the perception of The Ohio Military Reserve’s reputation?” Frankly, the recent view has been dour.

Some of our members believe that no one knows the OHMR exists, that those who know of the OHMR absolutely oppose ever using it, and that the top commanders wish we would just go away. Cynics say we’re just a bunch of soldier-wannabes who are old, fat, out of shape, untrained and medically unfit for any duty. Besides, it is charged, all anyone in the OHMR ever wants to do is go out shooting.
So, how much of that perception is true, is there anything we have the power to change and what do we believe our reputation be? Let me review one of my core philosophies.

First, for a person or organization to be valued, it must have respect. Respect cannot be purchased, coerced or forced. Respect is earned. And, respect must be shown before it can be expected to be received.

OHMR not having earned respect?!?!? I can already hear the chorus of “Yeah, buts!!”
1. Yeah, but so many of our soldiers served in the US Armed Forces or with police, fire and emergency responder units!
2. Yeah, but we have HAZMAT, law enforcement, shelter logistics, disaster assessment, search & rescue etc., etc., etc. training from recognized, outside agencies!
3. Yeah, but we drill as volunteers every month plus a week in September, and pay out of our own pockets!
4. Yeah, but we do it all because we believe in serving our state & country and want to be ready to help in an emergency!

Who else knows this? I used the phrase “perception of our reputation,” because in general, perception is reality, meaning people believe what they think to be true. Sadly, even facts may not change closed minds. Most people, however, will be influenced by truth. As the Ohio Military Reserve Association, our mission will be to reach out, publicize and promote the outstanding capabilities of Ohio’s state defense force.

That is why we must launch a campaign to publicize positive facts that celebrate and promote the solid spirit of dedication of the OHMR soldier. This will have the two-fold benefit of assisting with on-going recruiting as well as familiarizing local authorities with the capabilities of OHMR, all while building important relationships. This begins to earn us respect.

Once respect is earned, trust can be built. It’s hard to trust an untried entity, but people are more willing to “risk” working with an untried group if they have some level of respect for that group. Trust is built gradually, through successive, successful joint undertakings. Moreover, once one group is satisfied with a performance of duty, they may well endorse the OHMR to other agencies.
It seems to me that among respect, trust and money, the easiest to earn is money. While money simply cannot buy the other two traits, trust & respect can dramatically improve the chances of earning more money. Granted, we’re not after money, (although it would help), but we are after a sense of value.

So, what can we do as the Association? We find out what obstacles and attitudes are in our way and we address them. Not by aggressively attacking our cynics, but by objectively answering objections or concerns about the Ohio Military Reserve and actively seeking ways to adapt. We must also cultivate relationships with supporters. This all means listening to others as well as explaining things to them. Our approach must be one of cooperation, not confrontation, because if we are to be utilized, it will be as a force multiplier, not as a solo entity. If we can’t show a spirit of cooperation prior to an emergency, it will be assumed we won’t cooperate during an emergency.
Will this be easy? No. Name any task… assign any mission… and I guarantee I can come up with a reason why it cannot be done. As the civilian support arm of the Ohio Military Reserve, the Association has the right to promote our state’s defense force to elected officials, local authorities and the public at large. We must diligently, honestly and positively promote the amazing talent and dedication that is available. Each of us knows how much OHMR has to offer. It is up to the Association to make sure everyone else finds out.

Jim Nowak
President
OHMR Association