Ahoy Shipmates!
Next week I will be attending a leadership course offered by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) at Patrick Air Force Base. I bring this opportunity up for a few reasons: 1, the inaugural "Hangout with the Director, CPC" scheduled for Wednesday of next week is now cancelled while I'm in training; 2, the reason I'm attending this course is based on the needs of the Service...and I'm not just referring to the NOAA Corps or OMAO; and most importantly, 3, Patrick AFB is on the beach, just south of Cocoa Beach, Florida. Surf temperature is 77 degrees, I know where to rent a board, last light is at 20:20 and the Air Force Inn where I'm staying is a short walk from the beach. So yes, I'm selfishly trying to make my surfing and beach loving shipmates jealous. All jest and after hours surf session references aside, this training marks an initial step in a much broader initiative by NOAA leadership to improve our Agency's culture with respect to inclusion and diversity.
Creating a diverse and inclusive environment isn't rocket science, yet it continues to elude us on an organizational scale, as shown by our Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey scores. As leaders (and I'm referring to leaders at ALL levels - from shipboard watch leaders to COs, and Section Chiefs to Aircraft Commanders) it is incumbent upon us all to create an inclusive environment where diversity is more than a word that is given lip service in an occasional email reminder. We do this by modeling positive behaviors and exercising the courage to immediately call out and correct bad behaviors that erode unit cohesion and morale where and when we see them. And we should be standing a vigilant watch to find them.
A diverse and inclusive environment nurtures unit cohesion and morale which enables us to accomplish NOAA's missions safely and efficiently. Failure to demonstrate the leadership skills which nurture diversity and inclusion creates an opportunity for toxic or corrosive command climates where harassment, bullying, bigotry, biases or worse are allowed to fester. At its extreme, communication and team work breaks down and this leads to accidents and can cost lives. I have accumulated a decent list of significant shipboard casualties which were due in large part to toxic climates where there was a conspicuous absence of support for diversity and inclusion.
There will certainly be more to come on this topic while I am at the helm at CPC, and not just because this is a NOAA priority. My personal commitment to diversity and inclusion was deeply ingrained in me by my parents and has guided me for my entire life. As we work together in this area, and I explore the applicability and potential implementation of DEOMI products and services to our Agency, I expect that we will soon have new tools to help you evaluate and improve your command climate.
All I ask of you right now is to contemplate how you treat your shipmates, and be mindful and critical of the command climate you create by your actions - or your inaction.
Semper serviens,
CAPT Jeremy Adams, NOAA
Director, CPC
| 10-13 May 2016 | OPB - Promotion Selection |
| 24 May 2016 | Bronze & Career Awards Event |
| 2017 | NOAA Corps Centennial Events |
| CAPT Lawrence Krepp | 01 May 2016 |
| CAPT Harris Halverson | 01 May 2016 |
| LT Mark Frydrych | 01 May 2016 |
| LTJG Theresa Smith | 13 May 2016 |
| LT Laura Gallant | 01 June 2016 |
| VADM Michael Devany | 01 July 2016 |
Calling All Competitive and non-Competitive Picnic-ers! Spring is here, the sun is shining in DC, and the NOAA Corps is turning 99... this calls for a celebration!
The DC Area ACO invites you to join your fellow NOAA Corps Officers and their families at the NOAA Corps 99th Anniversary Picnic on 21 May at Cabin John Park (picnic areas F & G) in Rockville, MD. The picnic will start at 1200, and the grill will be fired up at about 1300. The ACO will bring the food, drinks, and games. The fee is $10 per adult. Kids and pets are free!!
Bring your Corn Hole A-game and try to unseat RADM Score as the reigning champ.
Please RSVP here by 18 May. Direct any questions to LCDR Ryan Wattam (ryan.wattam@noaa.gov).
This billet located at the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) in Tampa, FL and offers an officer the opportunity to serve in a managerial and leadership role, guiding both direct reports and external UAS stakeholders through project planning, project execution, airframe acquisition, and policy formulation processes. The UAS Section Chief advises the Operations Branch Chief, the Commanding Officer AOC, and OMAO Leadership on UAS policy, programmatic issues, and personnel allocation issues. External to AOC, the Section Chief will be the direct representative of NOAA UAS policy to the FAA, DoD, NASA, DOI, and other federal entities and will also coordinate with the Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy as NOAA's voice of UAS leadership.
This billet provides the incumbent with an opportunity to join the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center team as the Section Chief for NOAA UAS operations and contribute to the advancement of this cutting edge technology for advancing NOAA's mission goals across all lines.
For more information please contact CAPT Philip Hall at philip.g.hall@noaa.gov or CDR Nicholas Chrobak at AssignmentBranch.CPC@noaa.gov.
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Excitement is building as the last few weeks of the 127th NOAA Corps Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC) draws to a finale. It is the perfect time for the NOAA Corps' newest members to reflect on the past three and a half months of training; both to appreciate the arduous struggles they have overcome and the lasting friendships and priceless memories that only shipmates can create. Since our last update, the eight intrepid Officer Candidates (OC's) voyaged aboard the USCGC Barque Eagle from Little Creek, VA to Savannah, GA for the rowdiest Saint Patrick's Day celebrations west of Galway. OC's marched in the parade and were showered with kisses as dictates the long maritime tradition in Savannah. According to the oldwives tales, kissing a mariner on Saint Patrick's Day is good luck. It must only work one--way, because the return trip on the Eagle took the OC's through some "weather" consisting of 12ft seas and resulting in a sail station emergency when the clew chain on the fore upper topsail snapped. However, between standing the mid--watch under stars rimmed by distant thunderstorms and climbing up to the main royal yard these OC's felt like the luckiest sailors alive.
Upon returning from their Eagle cruise BOTC members attended the highly emotional reveal, billet night! Along with Coast Guard shipmates, NOAA OC's received their first sea assignments from Captain Caskey on stage at the USCG Academy. They were joined by guest appearances from LT Clos, ENS Head and ENS Seberger for support and celebration. The results (drum roll please) are as follows:
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Our NOAA Corps novices have been behind the wheel on the USCG Academy T-boats and the NOAA Fast Rescue Boats. By popular opinion, the Rescue Boat training has been a top--rated highlight of BOTC (second only to the pirate--life aboard America's Tall Ship). In addition, the OC's will be joining Captain Hempstead aboard M/V Kittiwake this week and finishing up with Bridge Resource Management and ECDIS courses at the Maritime Simulation Institute (MSI) in Newport, RI by the end of May. Saying goodbye to BOTC will be bittersweet for the ALFA Four platoon. A tight-knit group, ALFA Four has fondly been labeled as the BOTC class with "the most character". They wear that label proudly, and will always hold their classmates near and dear as they each venture out into the fleet!
NOAA Corps Directive Chapter 10, Advisory Boards, Part 1, Section 10006, Medical Board has been amended to include minor revisions for composition of the board membership. The updated Directive is available here.
An Aviation Advisory Board will convene during the month of June 2016 to make recommendations for the next P-3 and G-IV pilots. The Board will consider all interested aviators in the rank of O-4 and below with a minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time and 100 hours of NOAA Aircraft Commander time. Applicants must reasonably expect to meet the minimum qualifications listed above by the following estimated training start dates:
By COB, Monday, May 31, 2016, all interested officers should submit an email (one-page maximum) to CDR Nicholas Chrobak at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov, with the following detailed information:
Please note, for official boards convened by the Director, NOAA Corps, members will have access to Official Personnel File. Ensure that your file and assignment preferences are up to date.
Aviators with specific questions regarding these positions may contact either LCDR Christopher Kerns or LCDR Jason Mansour.
An Aviation Advisory Board will convene in June 2016 to select for initial flight training. The Board will select up to three officers from the fleet who are interested in transitioning to aviation. Start dates for flight training will be determined based upon the needs of the Service and rotation dates of the officers selected. Flight experience is encouraged, but is not required for this opportunity.
Requirements for the NOAA Corps Aviation Selection Process:
If you are interested in this opportunity, notify CDR Nicholas Chrobak (assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov) by COB, 29 April 2016. AOC will be responsible for conducting interviews between April and May for all applicants. Completed aviation application packages must arrive at the Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) by COB, 31 May 2016. Contact LCDR Chris Kerns (christopher.kerns@noaa.gov) – (813) 828-4361 or LCDR Jason Mansour (jason.mansour@noaa.gov) – (813) 828-4165 with any questions that you have.