Rear Admiral (Lower half) MaryEtta B. Nolan graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, in May 1983, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, obtained her nursing license, applied for the U.S. Navy and received a direct commission in the Nurse Corps Reserves in August 1984.
Assigned to Portsmouth Naval Medical Center’s (NMCP) clinic at Sewells Point in Norfolk, Virginia as the Clinical Operations Officer advanced to Officer-in-Charge.
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.
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.
1991 for Operation Desert Storm at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia (NMCP) in the Labor and Delivery Department.
2003 for Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom at NMCP in the Main Operating Room.
2006 Operation Corazon in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
2007 Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) at NMCP in the Main Operating Room
2019 Active Duty Training-Special at NMCP in the Main Operating Room
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 Terrorism Service Medal and Navy Expert Pistol Medal.
January 1984-April 2004 Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA. Completed training and was certified as a Perioperative Nurse advancing to Cardio-Thoracic Specialty Nurse Leader. In 2000, completed the RN First Assistant Program.
April 2004-2006 NMCP as a civilian to train Active Duty and Civilian Perioperative Nurses and Technicians in Cardiac Surgery for a new Cardiac Surgical Program.
Relocated to Upstate New York in 2006, worked at St. Peter’s Hospital Cardiac Surgery in Albany, then Saratoga Surgery Center in Saratoga Springs until retirement in March 2020 with 35 years of service.
2020-2023 Appointed as N91 Assistant Medical Administrative Officer, N1 Administrative Officer and NORTHCOM Regional Commander. November 2023 became Chief of Staff and Deputy Director until appointed by the Governor as Commander of the NY Naval Militia and promoted to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) November 21, 2025
RDML Nolan’s greatest passion is remembering the submarine USS Scorpion SSN-589, with the 99 sailors and her father, Chief of the Boat, TMC(SS) Walter William Bishop lost May 22, 1968.
RDML 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 2018. They reside in Greenfield Center, NY.
As of: 2025DEC23
© NYS DMNA: NY Naval Militia: Rear Admiral (Lower Half) MaryEtta Nolan Biography