Yesterday, I was pleased and honored to attend the celebration for NOAA Ship Oregon II and her 50 years of service. Mr. Friedman (DUS), CAPT Bridgeman (Director, MO) and Dr. Bonnie Ponwith (SEFSC Director) all provided remarks that touched on the accomplishments of the ship including over 10,000 sea days of collecting timely, accurate and reliable data to support our nation's resources, livelihoods and fisheries. A common theme of course was that it wasn't just the ship itself, but the many people who throughout the years have shown incredible dedication to the mission – whether at sea as crew, officer, scientist or ashore in support of personnel, engineering, logistics, science. The ship is just steel (although she looked pretty darn good with her gold "NOAA" and anchor!) but the people that serve on her and support her from land are the true heartbeat of the Mighty Oregon!
An unexpected and special dedication during the ceremony came from the Teacher at Sea program. The first ever teacher at sea sailed aboard the Oregon II and they've had many since then. What touched me about the presentation from the teachers at sea is the ripple effect we can have on the lives of others. They spoke of the positive change in students' lives from the interaction with real world science and adventure. While their teachers certainly deserve a lot of credit for their dedication to their students, it's fascinating to think that we had a part in that too…and it's a great reminder that we never know the influence we can have from our simple day to day interactions.
Captain Dave Nelson wrapped up the ceremony in a typical Master Nelson no-fuss way, talking about the great teamwork that brought the ship to this point and praising the past COs for their contributions. (as an aside, many prior CPC Directors are among those ranks – CDR Bulmer, CAPT Stiles, and CAPT Adams). Captain Nelson was clearly proud (and well-deservedly!) of his ship and his team and their contribution to NOAA and the lives of others.
Happy Birthday, Mighty Oregon II!
CAPT Anne K. Lynch, NOAA
Director, CPC
| 09 - 27 Oct 2017 | REFTRA 83 |
| 13 Oct 2017 | BOTC 130 Billet Night |
| 21 Nov 2017 | BOTC 130 Graduation |
| LT Refael Klein | 13 Oct 2017 |
| RADM David Score | 01 Nov 2017 |
| LCDR Denise Gruccio | 01 Nov 2017 |
| CDR Mark Sweeney | 01 Dec 2017 |
| ENS Kaitlyn Seberger | 15 Dec 2017 |
BOTC 130 has officially achieved Senior Status! Bravo Zulu to each of these men and women for mastering the material required to advance from Junior Status. The senior phase of the program is geared toward preparing the Officer Candidates for serving as Junior Officers in 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 continue to do throughout their careers.
Students are granted Senior Status at a formal advancement ceremony. During the ceremony, one OC collar device is replaced by a thin gold bar, signifying their progression toward officership.
On October 3, the members of BOTC 130 and OCS 1-18 participated in a Drill Down Competition against the 4th Class (first year) Coast Guard Academy Cadets. The competition is judged on each participant's Coast Guard/NOAA practical knowledge comprehension, military bearing, and execution of drill commands with their M-1 rifle. A big shout out to Officer Candidate Krabiel and Officer Candidate Vanfleet-Brown for competing. Out of 16 contestants, Officer Candidate Vanfleet-Brown took 3rd place overall! Congratulations on a job well done- they both represented the NOAA Corps proudly!
OCS 1-18 and BOTC 130 participating in the Drill Down Competition against Coast Guard Academy Cadets.
The excitement is building as Billet Night approaches, where BOTC 130 and OCS 1-18 will receive their first assignments. Tune into the Livestream on October 13th at 1830 EDT to watch the event!
All BRS eligible officers are required to complete their Congressionally mandated training by October 31, 2017. The training is found in your assigned training on CLC. Thank you to the 58 of you who have already taken it. Understanding the Blended Retirement System will help assist you make sound financial decisions for your future. Reminder - officers with less than 12 years of service before January 1, 2018 are BRS eligible.
"By Nov. 20, 2017, beneficiaries should complete any and all enrollment actions. During December 2017, there will be an enrollment freeze for TRICARE Prime enrollments, and a delay for primary care manager changes. You'll still be able to receive care during the enrollment freeze. If you have a problem accessing care, contact your regional contractor."
This will also affect any new officers coming in after Nov 20th 2017 and when the freeze ends in December. Any new family members that need to be added or removed could be affected also. Officers need to be made aware so they can act if needed.
Please visit the TRICARE website and read the articles under TRICARE news for more detailed information on these changes.
If you have any questions, please contact LCDR Sharon Downey, CPC Medical Administration Branch (email: sharon.downey@noaa.gov).Congress has tasked the Office of people analytics (OPA) to identify the attitudes and opinions of the Uniformed Services members concerning financial health and the new retirement system affecting Uniformed Service members. To do so, they instituted the 2017 Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Members (2017 SOFS-A)
Many members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were recently selected to participate. You may have received e-mails inviting you to participate in this congressionally-mandated survey of active duty members. It is critical for leadership to assess the attitudes and opinions on topics related to your service, including satisfaction and financial well-being.
This annual survey is being given to a selected group of NOAA members who are part of a scientifically-based sample, along with a sample of military members and Public Health Service members. Many of your peers have already completed the survey, and we are grateful for their time.
To see if you have been selected as part of the sample, please go to the Office of People Analytics (OPA) website: https://www.dodsurveys.mil. Click the button "Am I in the Survey Sample?" and enter your DoD ID number from the back of your Common Access Card (CAC)
If you were selected to take the survey, please understand that although the survey is voluntary, we encourage your response. We need to get as many completed surveys back as possible so that NOAA members' opinions are appropriately represented in the results. While I know that you receive many requests to take surveys which can often feel too impersonal for responses from any one survey to make a difference, you can be sure that leadership will listen to your contribution with utmost respect and attention. We hope you will recognize its importance and find some time to answer these questions about your experiences. This survey is considered Official Business and can be completed using your government computer or your own computer if you choose, and is licensed by DoD under Report Control Symbol (RCS) P&R(A)2616, expiring 06/10/2021.
For further information about this survey, please call the Survey Processing Center at 1-800-881-5307 or send an e-mail to AD-Survey@mail.mil.
In 1958, Rear Admiral Arnold H. Karo, Director of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, addressed the American Technion Society - an organization supporting Israeli science for the global good. In it is found the following passage:
"In directing my bureau of the United States Department of Commerce, I pledge to my subordinates leadership, guidance, and personal loyalty to the ideals of sound organization and devoted public service. I am especially sensitive to degree of loyalty which I owe my subordinates. Any man in an important position has learned long ago the necessity of being loyal to those over him. But I believe the real secret to achievement is sincere concern for those who look to you as their leader."
Admiral Karo went on to become the first Vice Admiral in Coast and Geodetic Survey history when he was selected to become the Deputy Administrator of ESSA, the Environmental Science Services Administration.
Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) is looking for a highly motivated LTJG or LT to take on the duties and responsibilities of Field Station and Vessel Coordinator in Muskegon, Michigan.
As Field Station and Vessel Coordinator the officer works with the Marine Superintendent to manage the lab's nine research vessels in all manner of administration, operations and maintenance. Opportunities exist to develop project management expertise in vessel repair/maintenance, budget management, and scientific instrumentation and data collection. The officer serves as the unit's small boat Vessel Operations Coordinator and will augment to support boat crew training & leave as required. For broader facility wide issues at the Field Station the officer will work directly with the GLERL Director.
Hydrographic survey, small boat coxswain, and working diver certifications are desired, but not required and can be developed during the officer's tour. The officer will be involved in expanding GLERL's mission capabilities including: new hydrographic survey protocols, dive support, autonomous vehicle support and integration of new science gear.
This is a challenging and demanding billet that requires an officer with a strong work ethic and demonstrated ability to work both independently and within teams. This assignment is excellent preparation for a follow on tour as Operations Officer.
A full billet description has been posted on the CPC website (Billet #3205). Interested officers should contact both the assignment coordinator at (301) 713-7694 and CAPT David Zezula, OAR's Liaison Officer at david.j.zezula@noaa.gov or (303) 497-6088
Enjoy and congratulations on "celebrating a century of service"!