Women's History Month at NCIS

What an honor to be asked to speak to the NCIS team at the Navy Yard in DC this past Tuesday! In celebration of Women's History Month, Ralph Blincoe (Dep. Director) asked me to speak about balance and service, and to prepare, I got the chance to meet some really amazing women. These women are really making the rest of us look good...they're smart, tough, fun, and really work hard at balancing their professional and personal lives. Special agents Cate Smith and Heather Baines told me about some of their more interesting undercover experiences...and they both couldn't say enough about the great work that JAG lawyer Mindy Siefer does to make sure they get all the support they need. My sister Janet happened to be in town so it was wonderful to have her there to experience the day at NCIS. Director Tom Betro has obviously established a workplace where not only professionalism is at the highest levels, but there's a strong sense of family, and unity, and a celebration of diversity. Kudos to NCIS! It's a privilege for Remember My Service to have been part of that event.

Visiting the set of NCIS with the real NCIS!

For the last six years I've been an avid fan of the hit TV series NCIS (for those of you a little out of the loop, that's Naval Criminal Investigative Service). A couple of years ago, I first met Ralph Blincoe, the Deputy Director of the real NCIS, as part of my work with my company, and I joked with him about being the "original" Mark Harmon (he'd actually be closer to being Mark's boss on the show). Ralph is the ultimate friend...when he found out that I was going to be in LA to hang out with my sisters for a weekend, he coordinated a visit to the NCIS set--WOW, I could hardly contain myself. I'm a big fan of Mark Harmon too--he was the main reason I started watching in the first place (ah, confessions). Mark is not only a true professional, but a really great guy in person (what a relief! You just never know...) He spent quite a bit of time with all of us, and gave us the update on the new NCIS spinoff that will be starring Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J--should be really good. I offered my humble opinion that I think Mark and Chris should continually cross-promote their characters not just in the first two episodes, but throughout the whole season. Maybe cross-promote all the characters...it keeps us viewers guessing and tuned in to BOTH. Just my two cents.

As a note, I've been invited to speak to NCIS staff and agents on Mar. 31st...I'm really looking forward to it! Sharlene

PHOTO: On location in CA. From left to right, NCIS Assistant Director Jeff Edwards, NCIS Deputy Director Ralph Blincoe, RMS President Sharlene Hawkes, THE Mark Harmon (Special Agent Gibbs on the TV version of NCIS) and Special Agent Mike Browning.