Captain MaryEtta B. Nolan received a Direct Commission in the Navy Nurse Corps Reserves in 1984 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in science in Nursing from Old Dominion University. Her first duty station was Sewell’s Point Clinic Norfolk, VA where she took charge of Clinical Operations and streamlined the medical physical stations, decreasing the time service members spent at the clinic.
Called to Active Duty in Operation DESERT STORM, she was mobilized to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia (NMCP) in the Labor and Delivery Department. Plank Owner with the NMCP Same Day Surgical Program with Joint Operations with Fort Eustis Army Reserve Unit. Provided weekend Orthopedic surgeries decreasing the wait time between injury and surgical intervention. Selected to serve as Commanding Officer, NR Operational Health Support Unit NMCP responsible for five Detachments at Sewells Point Clinic and Boone Clinic in Norfolk, VA.
After her tour as CO, she was selected to Director of Southern Medical Detachments MidAtlantic Region, which included management of units in Virginia and New York. As a member of the Detachment Yankee in Schenectady, NY, she was Senior Nurse Leader, mentoring junior officers and resources for the Officer-In-Charge. Mobilized for Operation NOBLE EAGLE and ENDURING FREEDOM at NMCP as well as two assignments to the hospital at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Capt. Nolan's awards include the 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.
Employed for 20 years at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA, she completed the Operating Room Clinical Internship Program and was certified as a Perioperative Nurse. Serving on the Open-Heart Surgical Team, she was promoted to Team Specialty Nurse Leader. Completed the Registered Nurse First Assistant Program in 2000.
In 2004, she was recruited by Naval Medical Center Portsmouth to start the Cardiac Surgical Department responsible for training a team of Active Duty and Civilian Perioperative Nurses and Technicians. Relocating to Upstate New York in 2006, she worked at St. Peter’s Hospital on the Cardiac Team, then Saratoga Surgery Center until she retired from the United States Navy Reserves with 35 years of service in March of 2020.
Captain Nolan’s involvement in the New York Naval Militia started after her USN retirement. 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. She 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 to increase recruiting, build working relationships with Reserve Center Commanding Officers and encourage support for missions including ENDURING COVID and ASYLUM SEEKER. Promoted to NYNM Chief of Staff on November 3, 2023.
Captain Nolan’s passion is remembering her father and the 99 men who were lost on the submarine USS Scorpion SSN-589 in 1968 by organizing Memorial Services with the Navy Submarine Service at COMSUBLANT Norfolk, VA. The 50th Anniversary had over 500 family members in attendance as well as the Chief of Naval Operations who recognized her during the service for her dedication.
Captain Nolan is married to retired Newport News, VA, Police Captain, Arthur D. Nolan, who retired from the New York Naval Militia Emergency Boat Service in 2000 as a CWO-2. They reside in Greenfield Center, NY.
Current as of: 2023NOV13
NYNM March 
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