Captain MaryEtta B. Nolan graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia in May 1983 earning a Baccalaureate Degree in Science in Nursing obtaining a license in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applied for the US Navy receiving a Direct Commission in the Nurse Corps Reserves August 24, 1984.
Assigned to Portsmouth Naval Medical Center’s clinic at Sewells Point in Norfolk, Virginia as the Clinical Operations Officer.
Plank Owner with the NMCP Same Day Surgical Program with Joint Operations with Fort Eustis Army Reserve Unit, Newport News, Virginia.
Commanding Officer, NR Operational Health Support Unit NMCP responsible for five Detachments at Sewells Point Clinic and Boone Clinic in Norfolk, VA.
Director of Southern Medical Detachments MidAtlantic Region, management of Virginia and New York Reserve Units.
Senior Nurse Leader Detachment Yankee in Naval Reserve Center Schenectady, New York.
February-April 1991 for Operation DESERT STORM at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia (NMCP) in the Labor and Delivery Department.
February-Jul 2003 for Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom at NMCP in the Operating Room.
Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) Apr-Aug 2007 in the Main Operating Room NMCP.
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M)(2), National Defense Service Medal (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Global War on Terror Service Medal and Navy Expert Pistol Medal.
Civilian Employment: January 1984-April 2004 Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA. Hired as a “Bedside” Nurse on a Medical / Surgical / Dialysis floor. In 1986, completed the Operating Room Clinical Internship Program and was certified as a Perioperative Nurse, recruited for the Open-Heart / Thoracic / Vascular Surgical Team, and later promoted to Team Specialty Nurse Leader in 1988. In 2000, completed the Registered Nurse First Assistant Program assisting surgeons in Thoracic, General, Neurology and Oncology Surgical procedures.
In 2004, recruited by Naval Medical Center Portsmouth as a civilian to train Active Duty and Civilian Perioperative Nurses and Technicians in Cardiac Surgery for a new Cardiac Surgical Program being introduced for the large population of retirees.
Relocated to Upstate New York in 2006, worked in Albany, at St. Peter’s Hospital on the Cardiac Team for two years, then Saratoga Surgery Center in Saratoga Springs until retirement in March 2020 with 35 years of service.
Appointed as N91 Assistant Medical Administrative Officer from 2020-2022 and N1 Administrative Officer from 2021-2022 until promoted to the NORTHCOM Regional Commander position in June 2022. Quickly reestablished communications with each of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve facilities in NORTHCOM and validated all personnel databases to ensure a correct and updated accounting of NYNM members. Conducted multiple visits to all Reserve facilities and community events to increase knowledge of the NYNM, recruitment, build working relationships with Reserve Center Commanding Officers and encourage support for missions including ENDURING COVID and MISSION ASYLUM SEEKER.
Requested by RDML Michael Perry to be his Chief of Staff and Deputy Director in November 2023 traveling throughout the State visiting NYNM members during the Asylum Mission, events involving the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA), community, State Partnership Program, Military Emergency Boat Service (MEBS), Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Centers.
Captain Nolan’s greatest passion is remembering her father, Chief of the Boat, TMC(SS) Walter William Bishop and the 99 men who were lost on the submarine, USS Scorpion SSN-589 in 1968 by organizing Memorial Services with the US Navy Submarine Service at COMSUBLANT Norfolk, VA. As a final tribute for the 50th Anniversary, she organized the program, meals, tours, transportation and hotels for over 500 family members attending. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson recognized her during the service for her dedication.
Captain Nolan is married to retired Newport News, Virginia, Police Captain, Arthur D. Nolan who joined the NY Naval Militia’s Military Emergency Boat Service in 2014 and retired in 2000. They reside in Greenfield Center, NY.
As of: 2025NOV21
NYNM March 
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