The Association of Old Crows

A graduate of Texas A&M’s Maritime Academy, Lloyd LeCain retired from the United States Naval Reserve as a captain after more than 30 years of service. Currently the CEO of Executive Concepts, a Washington, DC-based military contractor specializing in construction outside the continental United States, Lloyd LeCain belongs to several professional organizations, including the U.S. Naval Institute, the Surface Navy Association, the Naval War College Foundation, and the Association of Old Crows (AOC).

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, the Association of Old Crows was formally established in Washington, DC, when the informal annual reunions of those who had served as electronic countermeasures (ECM) officers in the Strategic Air Command grew too large to be considered informal. During the Second World War, these officers, whose job was to disrupt enemy radar and other communications, were given the code name “Raven.” After the war, some of the Ravens operated a course in ECM at New Jersey’s McGuire Air Force Base, where the students rechristened them Crows.

The organizing meeting of the AOC, held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Air Force Association, attracted 360 Old Crows, who were members of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, as well as many others representing the industries and universities engaged in research and production of ECM equipment.

Although AOC’s name is whimsical, it carries a very serious mission critical to the national security of the United States. An association of professionals and others in the fields of information operations and electronic warfare, it promotes operations in these two areas as well as related applications of value to accomplish commercial, civilian, and military objectives. It remains especially sensitive to ongoing developments in the national security environment and keeps its members updated. It offers several professional development training courses as well as several technology conferences, usually produced jointly with the Department of Defense. Through regional chapters, the AOC also provides college scholarships to select undergraduates.

Naval Base Ventura County Protects Southern California

Captain Lloyd LeCain served in the U.S. Navy for many years. In retirement, Lloyd LeCain and his wife, Captain Valentine Nishihara, continue to support the naval community, especially the U.S. Naval Institute. A classroom at The Naval Readiness Center at Naval Base Ventura County bears Captain LeCain’s name.

Naval Base Ventura County in California includes the naval facilities at San Nicolas Island, Port Hueneme, and Point Mugu. It hosts more than 80 commands and three warfare centers and employs 19,000 sailors, marines, and civilians, making a significant contribution to both national defense and the economy of Ventura County.

Tenant commands include the Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing; the Naval Satellite Operations Center; and the Pacific elements (and museum) of the U.S. Naval Construction Force, also known as the Seabees.

The base also features a commissary and the Port Hueneme Navy Exchange, as well as offices of the American Red Cross of Ventura County and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Publications of the U.S. Naval Institute

A retired U.S. Navy captain, Lloyd LeCain today maintains an active professional career as CEO of Executive Concepts, a military contractor headquartered in Washington, DC. Outside the office, he actively participates in the proceedings and functions of a host of professional, religious, and fraternal organizations. In addition to the Knights of Columbus, the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, and the National Rifle Association, Captain Lloyd LeCain belongs to the Military Offers’ Association of America, the Naval War College Foundation, and the United States Naval Institute.

With its headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland, the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) is an independent forum dedicated to the study of issues surrounding national security, especially sea power and related topics. Its membership is open to anybody who wants to be part of an ongoing, unbiased conversation about the security of the United States and the role of the sea services – the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines – in preserving that security. Despite its location on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy, USNI maintains its financial and intellectual independence both from the official military structure and the U.S. government.

USNI sponsors several conferences around the country every year at which issues of timely impact are debated. Its monthly magazine, Proceedings, was first published in 1874, the year after the USNI was founded. The early members of USNI met to discuss matters of professional interest at the time, such as the realities of a smaller, post-Civil War Navy in the face of an increasing cohort of challenges. The content of these discussions was distilled and printed in Proceedings and distributed throughout the fleet.

The modern magazine’s content, written by military professionals and civilians, addresses current affairs as well as historical issues, and reinforces the institute’s position as a thought leader. Naval History, a bi-monthly periodical that debuted in 1987, focuses on analyzing and understanding naval issues throughout history. In addition, the USNI Press publishes books that sometimes appeal to a much broader audience. Tom Clancy’s 1984 debut novel, The Hunt for Red October, was published by the USNI Press.

US Naval Institute’s Missions Include Publishing and Preservation

A Navy Reserve veteran, Lloyd LeCain is involved in several maritime organizations, including the Navy Submarine League and the Military Officers Association of America. Lloyd LeCain is also a lifetime member of the US Naval Institute.

Located at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the US Naval Institute has existed for more than a century. The organization’s mission is to provide maritime education, preserve naval history, and serve as an outlet through which to discuss topics impacting seafaring. The institute has more than 100,000 members in various military branches, including the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and the Navy.

Among the entity’s resources are a publishing company and a historical preservation service. The Naval Institute Press is its publishing company and has printed works covering a wide range of genres and subjects. The press was established in 1898 and is known for releasing both The Hunt for Red October and The Bluejacket’s Manual.

The Institute also preserves historical maritime media. It houses a collection of more than 450,000 photographs in physical and digital format. Interviews from prominent figures like Admiral Arleigh Burke are preserved as recordings and transcripts, as well.

The Military Officers Association of America, Recognized in Visual Art

With an impressive career in the military, Lloyd LeCain started as an officer in the United States Navy and eventually attained the rank of Captain. Lloyd LeCain is currently CEO of Executive Concepts and is involved in a number of professional organizations, including the Association of the United States Navy and the Military Officers Association of America.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is an association of military officers that acts as a voice on matters of compensation and benefits for its members. The association is also involved in military matters such as proposed legislation that may affect the career force or veterans of uniformed services. With 380,000 members, the Military Officers Association of America represents active duty, National Guard, reserve, retired, and former officers.

In December of 2013, the Military Officers Association of America was honored with three Davey Awards by the International Academy of Visual Arts. The MOAA was recognized with silver awards in the blog, activism, and associations categories. The Davey Awards, with a philosophy that tends to lean toward out-of-the-box thinking versus large budgets, recognizes outstanding and creative small firms across the world.

Naval Base Ventura County Protects West Coast, Houses Navy Operations

Lloyd G. LeClain spent much of his career serving in the United States Navy, where he reached the rank of captain. Lloyd G. LeClain’s wife also served in the Navy for over 30 years. In recognition of his continued support of the U.S. Navy community, a classroom at the Naval Readiness Center at Naval Base Ventura County in California is dedicated to Captain LeClain.

One of Southern California’s largest military bases, Naval Base Ventura County encompasses three major facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. Over 19,000 people work on the base, and over 80 commands, including three warfare centers, occupy space there.

The base’s deployable units include the Pacific Seabees, the Navy’s construction force who also have a museum on site. Additionally, four Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons operate from Naval Base Ventura County, where they run the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, a surveillance and command aircraft.

Amenities on the base include medical and dental facilities, a movie theater, and a commissary open seven days a week.

Opportunities at the Texas A&M Maritime Academy

As an undergraduate, Lloyd G. LeCain served as a midshipman at the Texas Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University. Following graduation, Lloyd G. LeCain became an officer in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of captain.

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy allows cadets to combine classroom learning with practical experience aboard an operating vessel. The school year involves on-campus study and field training, which leads to a summer sail aboard the General Rudder, an official training ship. The program incorporates a number of programs tailored for each cadet’s individual career aspirations, which may include engineering, maritime licensing, or officer status in the US military or Merchant Marine.

Cadets interested in careers as officers may choose to enter the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) as midshipmen. These students must complete all requirements for their bachelor’s degrees as well as specified additional coursework. Cadets may also pursue standing in the Strategic Sealift Officer’s (SSO) Program of the NROTC, a highly selective program sponsored by the Navy and Merchant Marine.

Non-NROTC cadets may enter the program to pursue maritime licenses. Students interested in engineering may choose to become licensed as third assistant engineers in the Merchant Marine, while others may apply for licenses as third mates. A cadet who successfully completes the third mate’s or deck’s license may opt to serve as an officer in the Merchant Marine, Naval Reserve or Coast Guard Reserve.

Submarines and the US Navy

Currently the chief executive officer of Executive Concepts, a military contracting company based out of Washington, DC, Lloyd G. LeCain achieved the rank of Captain during his service with the United States Navy. Lloyd G. LeCain also taught and lectured at the Naval Readiness Center in Ventura, California, and is a lifetime member of the US Naval Institute. Additionally, he is a member of organizations such as the National Defense Transportation Association and the Navy Submarine League.

Since its introduction to the United States Navy in 1900, the submarine has made significant contributions to maritime warfare and intelligence gathering. Submarine use drastically increased during World War II, especially due to attacks on Japanese shipping and the formation of the Lifeguard League, which rescued downed pilots during aerial assaults.

Today, the Navy has two main submarine classes — attack and fleet ballistic missile submarines. Attack submarines use torpedoes and cruise missiles with conventional high-explosive warheads to disable or destroy their targets. Fleet ballistic missile submarines fire long-range nuclear warheads. Both classes are nuclear powered and all of the more than 140 crew members are required to know how every system and piece of equipment onboard works in case of emergencies.

Lloyd G LeCain on Texas A&M: One of Six Universities to Partner with USAID

A graduate of Texas A&M, Lloyd G LeCain earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, and is a proud member of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students. Lloyd G LeCain was a Captain in the United States Navy.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) selected Texas A&M as one of six universities from around the world who will partner in a monumental new pursuit called Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN). The goal of HESN is to innovate and implement solutions to challenges in global development, such as health, food security, and ongoing conflict.

Through HESN, Texas A&M will receive funding to establish a development lab which will be called the Center on Conflict and Development (C&D Center). There, the university’s HESN team will study the connections between conflict, poverty, and insecurity of food. Their findings will aid them in creating plans to improve conditions in countries affected by extreme conflict.

John Sharp, Texas A&M’s System Chancellor, praised the university’s selection as part of the USAID project, saying, “This national award is a tremendous recognition of our unique talents and ability to collaborate toward meaningful solutions to today’s challenges.”

A Look at Naval Base Ventura County, By Lloyd G. LeCain

Comprising the functioning naval facilities Point Mugu, San Nicolas Island, and Port Hueneme, Naval Base Ventura County is located in a valuable spot in Southern California. Starting as a temporary depot during World War II, it was originally used to train the newly developed Seabees, the Navy’s Construction Battalion. Throughout the war, it served as the home to the Naval Construction Battalion Center and to the Naval Air Missile Test Center. The Korean War saw an increase in activity at Naval Base Ventura County as most of the Navy’s supplies traveled through it.

Today, Naval Base Ventura County provides shore services to those in the Sea Services. Its facilities contain air and port operations as well as legal, public affairs, safety, training, and emergency management services. Additionally, the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum, the second-oldest official Navy museum, sits on its premises.

About the Author:

Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Executive Concepts in Washington, D.C., Lloyd G. LeCain spent more than three decades in the Navy and the Naval Reserves before retiring as a captain. Recently, Naval Base Ventura County dedicated a classroom to him at its Naval Readiness Center.