With the end of the scholastic season upon us and our next generation of leaders and young professionals graduating from universities across the country, there is a wealth of inspirational commencement speeches to take in during this time of year. On May 17th, VADM William McRaven, US Navy gave one such address to the graduates of the University of Texas–Austin class of 2014. In his speech, VADM McRaven conveys the keys to success and changing the world in ten basic tenants:
Although, this commencement speech was delivered to a class of individuals just beginning their professional careers, the messaging is applicable across the full range of age and experience.
The link to the full transcript of VADM McRaven's speech can be found here: VADM McRaven commencement speech. I encourage all to read the text in order to provide the full context of his tenants.
Please join me in thanking and bidding fond farewell to LCDR Amanda Geoller for her unwavering service as CPC's Assignment Coordinator. LCDR Geoller's commitment and dedicated service will serve her well at her next duty station.
It is also my pleasure to welcome LCDR Nicholas Chrobak as our new Assignment Coordinator. I have every confidence he will build upon the foundation before him, ensure seamless transition and enhance current program resources.
CAPT Lawrence T. Krepp, NOAA
Director, CPC
| 05 Aug 2014 | BOTC 124 INDOC |
| LT Kyle W. Ryan | 15 July 2014 |
| LT Paul M. Chamberlain | 01 August 2014 |
| LTJG Carmen M. Alex | 01 August 2014 |
| CAPT Jon D. Swallow | 01 August 2014 |
| ENS Katherine L.Doster | 01 August 2014 |
Awards Received in the Months of April / May
NOAA Corps Commendation Medal:
| LCDR Nicole M. Cabana | For exemplary performance as the Requirements Branch (RB) Chief of the National Geodetic Survey’s (NGS) Remote Sensing Division from April 2011 to April 2014, and concurrently as the RB Chief and NGS Aeronautical Survey Program Manager from September 2013 through April 2014. |
| LCDR Samuel F. Greenaway | For outstanding technical accomplishments and administrative leadership as Operations Officer and Executive Officer, NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler. |
NOAA Corps Achievement Medal:
| CDR Arthur J. Stark | For dedicated efforts in a key role for procedure development of the NOAA Ballast Water Management and NOAA Ship Familiarization Standard Operating Procedures. |
| LCDR Sarah L. Dunsford | For providing outstanding support to both the Incident Coordinator and the NOAA Operations Center Director during the activation of the NOAA Operations Center for the Alaska Shield Exercise by managing information flow, action tracking, generating, concise and accurate briefing information for senior leadership in support of the national-level exercise. |
| LCDR Lindsay R. Kurelja | Dedicated efforts standing up and developing the roles and responsibilities for the Executive Officer Liaison role ashore and, significant contributions in the development and coordination to bring the Wage Marine Employee Handbook to reality. |
| LT Meghan E. McGovern | For sustained performance and dedication to NOAA Ship Rainier as Operations Officer. |
| LT Brian D. Prestcott | For sustained superior performance as Operations Officer onboard the NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai. |
| LT Carl G. Rhodes | For sustained voluntary support of the NOAA Corps Officer Recruiting Branch. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and will help to shape the future of the NOAA Corps through recruitment and selection of the highest quality candidates. |
| LT Emily M. Rose | For selfless determination to ensure projects, initiatives, and individual’s success by assisting wherever help is needed. |
| LT Christopher S. Skapin | For unbridled work ethic and service commitment in getting the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson and her crew out of a major shipyard repair period and delivered to homeport. |
| ENS Richard C. DeTriquet | For sustained superior performance and dedication to duty as Navigation Officer, Assistant Property Officer, and for professional development during your tour on the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. |
NOAA Corps Director’s Ribbon:
| LT Timothy M. Smith | For service as British Columbia Inside Passage Officer of the Deck aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson during inside passage transit of Canadian pilotage waters. |
| ENS David A. McVay | For outstanding response to fire emergency situations aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette. |
NOAA Corps Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal:
| LCDR Donald E. Beaucage | For sustained community service on the island of Oahu during your Honolulu Port Captain and NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai Executive Officer Tours. |
| LCDR Brent J. Pounds | For dedicated service over the past eight years to your community through work with Kiwanis International. Service is at the core of every Kiwanis Club, no matter where in the world it’s located. You exemplify that spirit, having been a part of the Kiwanis family for over 15 years. |
NOAA Corps 97th Annual Dining Out was held May 17th. In attendance were one officer from every uniformed service and one newly commissioned officer from BOTC 123. This year's guest speaker was Jonna Doolittle, who gave an exceptional talk about her father General Doolittle and the Doolittle raid of Japan. Thank you DC Chapter ACO for a great evening.
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OMAO Training Portal is available to all NOAA. It contains information on available training opportunities such as, how to fill our SF-182s, how to use an IDP to partner for success and much more. You can search for contents in Google Sites or go directly to at https://sites.google.com/a/noaa.gov/omao-training/. Share this link with your staff and be sure to provide feedback via the link in the portal site.
Individual Development Plans will be required by all personnel by Sept 30th. Learn more on the OMAO Training Portal IDP page and by participating in the following webinars:
On Friday, May 16th, the Ensigns of BOTC 123 and NCOTC staff visited the Groton airport to learn more about the missions of NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center (AOC). While there, LT Francisco Fuenmayor, LTJG Michael Hirsch, LTJG Joshua Witmer and ENS Kerryn Schneider gave presentations on AOC’s mission and the missions of the Twin Otter and UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems). A static demonstration of the UAS PUMA was included along with a tour of the Twin Otter, which gave officers an opportunity to see another exciting side of NOAA operations. BOTC 123 also had the opportunity to receive a presentation from CDR Matthew Pickett (NOAA Corps, Ret.) who spoke on the aviation operations currently being conducted in our National Marine Sanctuaries and joint operations between NOAA and USCG. NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson’s CO, CDR James Crocker, along with some of the wardroom and crew of the Thomas Jefferson attended the morning's events as well. CDR Zach Pickett (USCG) also joined in the fun; he is the Chief of Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School and the brother of CDR Matthew Pickett (Ret.). BRAVO ZULU to the crew of the AOC for a great presentation and tour!
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