October was filled with hands-on training, VIP guests, and another great showing at drill down for BOTC 124. October started out with a tour of USCGC JUNIPER, courtesy of ENS Andrew, and NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow at Naval Station Newport. For many, it was their first time aboard a NOAA or USCG vessel. It gave the class a realistic view of their future and increased their excitement as Billet Night approached.
A number of VIP guests, including the USCG Commandant ADM Zukunft, RADM Poulin, RDML Gautier, and NOAA CAPT Moran visited the USCGA last week to spend time with BOTC 124 and OCS Class 1-15. The interactions with the Flag and senior officers gave the class a sense of pride in service and a chance to ask questions in an informal setting.
Members of BOTC 124, OCS Class 1-15, and USCGA 2nd and 4th class cadets participated in the time-honored tradition of a drill down exercise on 09 October. This event involved two integrated teams learning various drill techniques, INDOC knowledge and competition procedures. In turn, it increased camaraderie between NOAA Corps/Coast Guard OCs and cadets, promoted professionalism, partnerships, and esprit de corps. Officer Candidate Farrell (USCG) and ENS Fifield (NOAA) were awarded 2nd and 3rd place finishes, respectively.
BOTC 124 recently completed Basic Safety Training and Advanced Fire Fighting and have the following courses scheduled with Captain John Herring (NOAA, Ret.): Shiphandling, eNav, and Nav II. The class had a fun-filled day of “Base Camp” activities on 17 October while simultaneously earning senior status. Senior status increases their responsibilities by taking full ownership of the program. Also, REFTRA 77 is on deck giving BOTC 124 an excellent opportunity to network with co-workers and get to know some of their prospective shipmates they will soon be working with in the field.
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CAPT Lawrence T. Krepp, NOAA
Director, CPC
| 01-05 December 2014 | Mid-Grade Leadership Week 1 |
| 05 December 2014 | Uniform Awards Board |
| 02-06 February 2015 | Mid-Grade Leadership Week 2 |
| LT Christopher W. Daniels | 30 November 2014 |
| LTJG Leslie Z. Flowers | 19 December 2014 |
| LT Erik Norris | 01 January 2015 |
| ENS Abigail Kernan-Schloss | 01 January 2015 |
| CDR Jeffrey Hagan | 01 January 2015 |
| LT Michael Davidson | 30 January 2015 |
| CDR Peter Fischel | 01 February 2015 |
From 18 December 2014 through 05 January 2015, the current UCGC Pay System, Direct Access, will be taken off-line to conduct a major software upgrade representing the most significant change to the pay system in nearly two decades. This upgrade will include the deactivation of the outdated Joint Uniform Military Pay System (JUMPS), and the implementation of Direct Access's payroll engine - commonly referred to as Global Pay. The "Go-Live" date is fast approaching, and we have less than three months to ensure all data in Direct Access is correct.
This upgrade impacts all NOAA Corps Active Duty officers. It is critical that information (e.g., Separations, Leave, PCS, Marriage's, etc) get to payroll in a timely manner to be entered in the current system.
REMEMBER THE CUT OFF DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS: 18 December 2014.
Understanding a change of this magnitude will inevitably produce some pay errors, we expect them to be minor, and are working hard to eliminate any potential errors. In addition, following the 01 January 2015, "Go-Live" date, teams will be in place at the Pay and Personnel Center to immediately respond to the field and quickly resolve any unforeseen pay issues that arise. We will provide more specific information over the next month.
Effective 01 October 2014, the Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Vol. 1 (JFTR), and the Joint Travel Regulations, Vol. 2 (JTR) were consolidated into one volume titled the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). This action reduced redundant information and the overall number of pages of travel regulations. Please direct any questions regarding these changes to Tracey Peterson at tracey.m.peterson@noaa.gov.
NOAA Corps Commendation Medal:
| CAPT Philip G. Hall | For outstanding achievement to the NASA Global Hawk Program as Deputy Project Manager, Aircraft Commander, and Instructor Pilot. For contributions to the development of the NASA Global Hawk as an Earth science platform and pioneering a new technology for NOAA and NASA |
| CDR Michael J. Silah | In recognition of demonstrated leadership and outstanding service to NOAA and the Nation in your vital role as the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Chief of Staff and your support of the Platform Acquisition Division, and the NOAA Ship Ferdinand Hassler |
| LT Gregory R. Schweitzer | For sustained superior performance as Executive Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson during arduous and demanding operating days while increasing morale, productivity, and the reputation of ship and agency through selfless actions and professionalism |
| Paul M. Chamberlain | For superior performance while serving as Operations Officer and Acting Executive Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown |
NOAA Corps Achievement Medal:
| LCDR Sean D. Cimilluca | For superior performance and achievement in process improvement for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) by developing an asset disposal program and Disposal ConOps, and for leading the OMAO effort on the Federal Fleet Performance Measure development |
| LT Stephen C. Kuzirian | For superior display of skills and performance as the Project Manager for Ship Daily Activity Logging (SDAL) IT System, SDAL ConOps Development, and implementation and for leading change towards an improved organizational health monitoring system |
| ENS Kristin M. Golmon | For sustained superior performance and dedication as the Document Management System Officer, Lead Diver, Training Officer and Junior Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Fairweather |
NOAA Corps Director’s Ribbon:
| CDR Scott A. Sirois | For augmenting as Commanding Officer, aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson. Your devotion to safety and the mission allowed the ship to remain on the working grounds during a MEDEVAC and small boat breakdown, resulting in the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson completing 100% of the planned project operations |
| LTJG Brian E. Elliot | For exemplary performance as Acting Executive Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai |
| ENS Hadley A. Owen | For your dedicated efforts as Navigation Officer, leadership role as Officer-in-Charge during 2014 winter inport, and sustained superior performance as Junior Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Fairweather |