Shipmates,
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to participate in the NOAA Diversity and Inclusion Summit. Being as this was apparently the first NOAA-wide gathering on this topic I was cautiously optimistic for what to expect. I am pleased to report that I was very pleasantly surprised.
First and foremost, the commitment of NOAA leadership to improve NOAA's command climate through emphasis on, and application of diversity and inclusion principles was clearly evident in the attendance by our senior executive leadership over the 1.5 day event. Their commitment is unwavering and the charge is clear. We will build a more diverse and inclusive environment at NOAA. We will integrate principles of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our mission from our day-to-day operations to long-term strategy. We will expect and hold our leaders accountable for fostering inclusive climates. We will build this culture slowly, and we will build it to last so that it becomes an immutable expectation that will endure shifts in leadership and political winds. We will do this because not only are the principles of diversity and inclusion woven in to our core values, but studies have shown that work environments where everyone feels safe, welcomed, nurtured and professionally challenged outperform work environments where diversity is lacking and inclusion is an afterthought.
Success will take time and sustained effort. Culture change is difficult. People will be challenged to get out of their comfort zones in order to break down unhealthy perceptions, counter-productive biases, and destructive behaviors. We will work to find and define the common bond that originally brought us to work for NOAA (see the TED Talk "Start with Why?" by Simon Sinek, or go deeper and take the online "quiz" at https://www.startwithwhy.com/.) The ability to do this will take new tools and new approaches, and therefore improvements will not be easy, it will not happen overnight, but they will come as long as we are committed and work to create the team environment that we feel we deserve.
It is in this commitment to and spirit of diversity and inclusion that I am assigning some "homework" related to the NOAA Corps' centennial celebration. The assignment will not be graded and the due date is still several weeks away, but your thoughts and perspective will help shape the content and the success of the 100th anniversary of the NOAA Corps. So, I ask that you ponder (or discuss) the following questions:
I will be providing a link to a Google form where you can cut-and-paste your answers to these and other similarly-themed questions in the next Cyberflash.
This is your NOAA Corps. This is your 100th anniversary. The Centennial planning committee and I look forward to hearing from you. The diversity of your opinions will undoubtedly shape our collective celebratory endeavors next year and contribute to our collective success.
Semper serviens,
CAPT Amilynn E. Adams, NOAA
Director, CPC
| 21 Nov 2016 | BOTC 128/OCS Dinner Dance |
| 22 Nov 2016 | BOTC 128 Graduation |
| 05-09 Dec 2016 | AOC Annual Safety Conference |
| 05-09 Dec 2016 | Fleet Leadership Summit |
| 09-13 Jan 2017 | OMAO Mid-Grade Week One |
| 23-27 Jan 2017 | OMAO Mid-Grade Week Two |
| 2017 | NOAA Corps Centennial Events |
| 20 May 2017 | NOAA Corps "Century of Service" Anniversary Dinner |
| LTJG Carina Ream | 01 Nov 2016 |
| LTJG Kasey Sims | 30 Nov 2016 |
| LT Eric Younkin | 01 Dec 2016 |
| ENS Samuel McKay | 16 Dec 2016 |
| LT Lindsay Morrison | 30 Dec 2016 |
| LT Timothy Smith | 01 Jan 2017 |
| LCDR Guinevere Lewis | 31 Jan 2017 |
| ENS Lander Ver Hoef | 28 Feb 2017 |
Which Director of the Coast and Geodetic Survey:
The answer to all of the above is Ernest Lester Jones. After recognizing the need for easier means to transfer C&GS expertise to the armed forces during World War I, Jones created the commissioned service that is today's NOAA Corps. Jones is proudly named the "Father of the Commissioned Service of the Coast and Geodetic Survey", our professional ancestor organization and oldest scientific agency of the U.S. Government.
In honor of Veterans Day, the NOAA Central Library will host a special exhibit, "Out of the Vault: Maps, Weather, & War" on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 11AM - 2 PM. Acting Head of Reference Albert "Skip" Theberge will present an in-depth collections discussion from 11:30 AM - 12 PM. This exhibit will showcase several unique items from the collection with special significance to the armed conflicts that NOAA and its predecessor agencies have served in. Refreshments will be served.
Special Exhibit Highlights:
The students from BOTC 128 were very excited to receive their first assignments at Billet Nights, a joint NOAA/Coast Guard event where students receive their first assignments.
| Ololade N. Ajilore | NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter |
| Hunter L. Brendel | NOAA Ship Pisces |
| Sydney M. Catoire | NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson |
| Sean E. Digre | NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada |
| Chirsotpher K. Dunn | NOAA Ship Rainier |
| Garrison L. Grant | NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson |
| Timothy J. Holland | NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette |
| Patrick T. Lawler | NOAA Ship Fairweather |
| Vanessa C. Oquendo | NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson |
| Brianna D. Pacheco | NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer |
| Chelsea L. Parrish | NOAA Ship Oregon II |
| Lee T. Shoemaker | NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow |
| Peter R. Siegenthaler | NOAA Ship Fairweather |
| Brandon W. H. Tao | NOAA Ship Nancy Foster |
| Collin H. Walker | NOAA Ship Rainier |
In addition to receiving their first assignments, the class also recently earned Senior Status. This phase of the program is geared toward preparing the Officer Candidates for serving as Junior Officers through the fleet. With Senior Status comes increased levels of responsibility- students are expected to hold themselves to the highest standards of performance, as they will for their entire careers.
A big shout out to LCDR Mansour, who reported TDY to the NCOTC from October 17- 21 to assist with everything from student counseling to conducting routine maintenance runs of the small boats. His presence was a huge asset and we couldn't be more grateful for his assistance!
REFTRA-81 is concluding the second week of courses that comprise the three week training program in preparation of returning to the fleet. Classes include: BST Refresher, Firefighting, RADAR, and, the simultaneously unnerving and enjoyable, underwater egress training. The USCG Leadership and Management School (LAMS) conducted a class where officers participated in role playing, personality assessment, and supervisory skills. The 6 OPS, 4 XOs, and 2 COs were also fortunate to attend Billet Night for BOTC-128, which was a good look into the intense training and protocol at the USCG Academy fostered by the staff at NCOTC. Billet Night also affords the officers in the REFTRA class the opportunity to personally congratulate each Officer Candidate as they begin their NOAA career. A special thanks to LCDR Mansour for taking the time to TDY and facilitate the smooth execution of BOTC and REFTRA.
It's that time of year again – End of Year Package (EOYP) season! Not to worry - The EOYP for 2016 will soon be available. Access to and tracking of the EOYP will begin 14 November 2016. All officers are expected to complete the EOYP no later than COB 28 February 2016. The responsibilities and features of the EOYP are very similar to last year's EOYP, with a few improvements based on feedback from the 2015 EOYP Survey. Ssimilar to last year, there will be an optional and anonymous survey, at the conclusion of your EOYP, with the goal of CPC receiving constructive feedback on the EOYP process and ideas for continued improvement.
For any questions, please email LT Lindsay Morrison at Lindsay.Morrison@noaa.gov
On 31 October, at 1430 EST, CPC will be hosting an "Ask-CPC"' Webinar covering the Officer Evaluation System (OES). CPC's Division Chiefs will be on hand for a general question and answer session following the presentation on the OES. Officers with civilian supervisors in their OER rating chain are encouraged to share the webinar link and ask their supervisors to attend. The webinar will be held in the OMAO Large Conference Room. For those unable to attend in person the link to the webinar is https://omao-cpc.webex.com/omao-cpc/onstage/g.php?MTID=eee2b4e18d385349db5abd0e721ccc91d. Audio conference information is 650-479-3208; Access code: 665 043 847.
Some quick food for thought, take a moment and read this LinkedIn article on characteristics of an inclusive boss.
If you still haven't checked out the details of the new Blended Retirement System, this website has a bunch of great content and information. If you'll have less than 12 years of commissioned service by December 31, 2017, check it out now, talk to your financial planner, and be prepared to make an irrevocable election to participate (or not.)
Please keep in mind your special status as a Federal employee. You may engage in a variety of political activities, such as voting, making donations to political parties and candidates, and expressing your views to friends and others directly and through social media; however, you are limited in some political activities (more......)
CPC is pleased to introduce the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES), which will allow NOAA Corps officers to manage their Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Family SGLI coverage online at the click of a mouse. CPC Personnel have been collaborating with the Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and key personnel from all Uniformed Services to develop this system, and ensure support for all servicemembers. NOAA Corps officers can look forward to taking the helm of this new system in July 2017.
Were you injured? Financial assistance may be available to you!
SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI) TSGLI provides automatic traumatic injury coverage to all NOAA Corps covered under the SGLI program. It provides short-term financial assistance to NOAA Corps and Veterans to assist them with expenses incurred while they recover from qualifying traumatic injuries that occurred on or off duty.
For more information on TSGLI, including a full list of losses eligible for TSGLI payment, visit www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/tsgli.asp.