Last fall, after one of the lunch and learns about stress and resiliency, I shared a print-out of "15 Ways to Reduce Stress" that was provided by the Fleet and Family Support Center in Bethesda. I have the list on my bulletin board in the office but the print is so tiny, I always say to myself that the first thing I need to do to relieve stress is print it larger! Through some magic and help from Praveen, I have the list in text now and wanted to share a few of the tips with you. I'll save the others for a later Cyberflash!
Exercise
Most of us realize that exercise releases endorphins that make us feel good, but do you really believe it? Try simply leaving the building you are in and taking a short (10-15 minute) walk around the block or the building when you are feeling stressed. You will be amazed at how much better you feel. If you add some rhythmic breathing (in 4 counts - out 4 counts) while you are walking, you will increase the benefits.
Breathe
Here's a good one: try breathing in for the count of 4, hold for 7 counts, breath out for 8 counts. This method is a well-known relaxation technique and is very effective. It also works when you are dealing with pain.
Take a Mental Vacation
Find a place where you can be alone for about ten minutes and imagine that you are in a location that you'd find relaxing. For instance, imagine that you are sitting on a beautiful beach somewhere - maybe Tahiti -alone. Hear the waves hitting the beach as the surf comes in and out. Feel the breeze blowing through your hair. Feel the comfortable warmth from the sun on your skin. Hear the sounds of birds flying overhead. Feel the sand on your feet and legs. Relax ...
Do one thing at a time
Multi-tasking is your enemy if you want to reduce stress. Do you try to talk on the phone while answering email and eating lunch? There is a reason that there is a law requiring employers to give their employees a lunch hour. Take it.
Do something kind
Get out of your own head for a bit and find something to do for someone. Maybe all you'll come up with is, "Nice shirt!", but it's a start.
Be a human
That's what you are, you know. No one says that you need to start wearing a Superwoman or a Superman cape. Put the one that's hanging off of your shoulders into the closet. Or better yet, burn it.
Be kind to yourself and those entrusted to your care .
CAPT Anne K. Lynch, NOAA
Director, CPC
| 23 - 24 April 2018 | NOAA Environmental Data Management Workshop |
| 7 - 11 May 2018 | Gulf Coast Hurricane Awareness Tour |
| 17 May 2018 | BOTC 131 Graduation |
| LT Daniel Rees | 30 Apr 2018 |
| CAPT Amilynn Adams | 01 Jun 2018 |
| CDR Nathan Hancock | 01 Jun 2018 |
| LCDR Lyndsey Davis | 01 Jun 2018 |
| CAPT Robert Kamphaus | 01 AUG 2018 |
| LT Jessica Senzer | 10 AUG 2018 |
| LT Gavin Chensue | 31 AUG 2018 |
| LCDR Brian Prestcott | 01 Nov 2018 |
On April 1, 1946, an earthquake occurred south of the Aleutian Islands generating tsunami waves that devastated Hilo, Hawaii, less than 5 hours later and killed 159 people. This served as a wakeup call for the United States and led directly to the establishment of a tsunami warning system by the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Commander Charles K. Green, an officer in the commissioned service of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, analyzed tidal records associated with the tsunami, computed theoretical travel times for arrival at various locations throughout the Pacific Ocean, and compared these results to the observed travel times as determined on tidal records.
Commander Green noticed that on virtually all marigrams (tidal records) that recorded the tsunami, that there was a small run-up of water level followed by a relatively large withdrawal over an interval of ten to twenty minutes. Larger amplitude waves of similar period would follow this initial indicator. Making use of these facts, Green designed a system that filtered out short period wind waves and other short-period oscillations that could affect water level observations. Longer period waves associated with tsunamis would trigger an alarm when detected.
Commander Green's invention was but one element of a warning system. The complete warning system that was operational by 1949 included:
Augmenting just got easier! NOAA Corps officers can now view augmentation requests via the Deck Officer Augmentation Request spreadsheet on Google Drive. The Relief Pool has several Mates who will assist in filling these requests as well as Corps officers. If you see an opportunity that you might be able to fill, simply reach out to that ship's XO and offer your assistance! Further, officers ashore can fill out the Deck Officer Availability Form which populates the Deck Officer Availability spreadsheet allowing XOs to see availability and qualifications. You may also find information and forms located through the CPC website under Augmentation Needs which will take you to the OMAO Fleet Augmentation Intranet. Bookmark these convenient applications and check back often in support of field operations!
Please send any questions or concerns to moc.crew.supervisor@noaa.gov.
OCMD is starting a new small group discussion series. The goal is to get small groups of officers together via webinar and discuss various topics about the Corps. Each session may have a specific topic to discuss, or it may be a general question and answer session. Topics may include: what happens in a promotion or assignment board? How do I get my next assignment? What training should I be looking to take? Etc. CPC will host the webinars; sometimes the focus may be questions for CPC, other times it might just be facilitated by CPC with the intent being to have small groups of officers interacting and bouncing ideas off of each other.
Next Friday, CPC/OCMD will host the first session at 1400 EDT. We will be looking for 5-8 officers to participate in a discussion about required promotion training. If you are interested in taking part, please reach out to CDR Jeff Shoup ( chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov) by COB Wednesday, March 14. If more officers are interested than the slots available, we will randomly select officers to attend. If you are not selected for the first session, we will look to hold more sessions in the future.
CPC introduces LCDR Stephen Kuzirian as the new Assignment Coordinator. For any assignment related questions, contact LCDR Kuzirian via email: assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov or phone: 301-713-7694.
CPC is seeking a self-driven senior officer who has an interest to serve as Chief, Officer Career Management Division (OCMD). OCMD develops the professional capability of the Corps through assignment and training of officers. OCMD accomplishes this through focused recruitment and training, management of the officer assignment process, and career counseling.
The officer directly supervises/mentors up to 7 employees including the Assignment Coordinator, ensuring continuity of staffing at-sea, in the air, and in line, corporate, and staff offices. The incumbent also supervises the officer recruiting ensuring the NOAA Corps recruits diverse, highly-qualified candidates to serve as operational leaders and for NOAA. This officer provides career guidance to officers of all ranks. Reviews and makes recommendations for revisions to OERs for officers ranked O5 and below. The incumbent conducts strategic planning and analysis to support human capital management of the NOAA Corps. This officer leads continuous improvement of CPC services provided by the Division and may also serve as Acting Director, CPC in the absence of the Director and Deputy Director.
Prior experience in a leadership position requiring vision, entrepreneurship, and customer focus, coupled with supervisory experience including: evaluations, travel regulations, coordination, financial management, budget administration and policy development are required. Strong interpersonal and administrative skills are also a critical success.
This billet is expected to be open July 2018. If interested please update your preferences and/or contact the Assignment Coordinator at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov. For specific questions, contact CDR Jeffrey Shoup at 301-713-7748 or chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov.