Shipmates,
Three quick things and then on to the content of this installment of the Cyberflash:
Semper serviens,
CAPT Amilynn E. Adams, NOAA
Director, CPC
07 Apr 2017 | BOTC 129 Billet Night |
24-28 Apr 2017 | Annual Review |
01-05 May 2017 | CO/XO Immersion |
09 May 2017 | BOTC 129 Graduation |
09 May 2017 | Hurricane Awareness Tour, Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) |
20 May 2017 | NOAA Corps Centennial Anniversary Dinner, Washington, DC |
02 June 2017 | AOC Ribbon Cutting |
LCDR Jason Appler | 01 May 2017 |
LT Jon Andvick | 01 May 2017 |
LT Marc Weekley | 01 May 2017 |
LT Linh Nguyen | 01 May 2017 |
ENS Kaitlyn Seberger | 07 Jul 2017 |
CDR Brian Parker | 01 Aug 2017 |
CDR Peter Siegel | 01 Aug 2017 |
CAPT Robert Kamphaus | 01 Aug 2017 |
CDR Matthew Wingate | 01 Aug 2017 |
In describing the role of the PATHFINDER during and after a Japanese air attack on fleet units at Guadalcanal in 1943, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, stated as follows:
"The performance of PATHFINDER on 7 April is noteworthy. Preceding the attack this vessel was conducting survey operations off Berande Point, Guadalcanal. Despite warning of approaching planes and the departure of most of our large ships from the area, her personnel continued hydrography until enemy planes were near. Leaving her ship's boats with one quarter of the crew at their assigned survey duties, the commanding officer then went to maximum speed and maneuvered close aboard AARON WARD. Two planes dived on her and were shot down. Her boats brought off wounded from AARON WARD who were cared for on board during the night. Early next morning these men were disembarked for hospitalization and at 0700, 8 April local time 'the ship resumed its survey operations.' It is a pleasure to report on the efficient and business like conduct of duty under fire of this USC&GS ship operating under my command."
During this attack, PATHFINDER shot down two enemy aircraft. Then Lieutenant Lorin Woodcock, who was out on a survey launch, observed two planes collide overhead. Two parachutes wafted down and Woodcock directed his launch to the closest chute. Fortunately for him, LST 449 beat him to the downed pilot who was Japanese and commenced shooting at his would be captors. As Woodcock and his crew had neglected to carry their standard issue weapons with them, they would have been in quite a pickle if they had pulled that pilot out of the water. As Captain Woodcock said during an interview, "I fought the war with a sextant. I sure was lucky that time." As a footnote to history, President-to-be John F. Kennedy was a junior officer on LST 449. Lieutenant Jerry Jarman was in charge of the forward anti-aircraft guns on the PATHFINDER as it pulled up to the AARON WARD and recalled "looking back at Kennedy's ship while four dive bombers were attacking it. There were so many exploding bombs along with the resulting water spouts that I could not see the LST."
As a reminder and to help maintain good order and morale, the NOAA Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) Helpline was released in December. The NOAA SASH Helpline is part of our commitment to create an inclusive and safe environment by providing outlets to employees experiencing unacceptable behavior in the workplace. The NOAA SASH Helpline provides crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support to NOAA employees, contractors, and affiliates who are victims and/or survivors of sexual harassment or sexual assault. The helpline is operated by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. More information about RAINN is available at: https://www.rainn.org.
Through the NOAA SASH Helpline, RAINN support specialists provide live, confidential, one-on-one support regardless of the place or time of the occurrence. This support is available to all NOAA employees, contractors, and affiliates even if the incident occurs outside of the workplace or is unrelated to work. All services are anonymous, secure, and available worldwide, 24/7. The NOAA SASH Helpline is accessible through a variety of channels, including:
Phone: 1-866-288-6558
Website & Online Chat: https://NOAASASHHelpline.org
Mobile App: NOAA SASH Helpline (available via iOS and Android App Stores)
Text: (202) 335-0265
And remember, the behavior you walk past is the behavior you condone. Don't condone bad behavior, call it out. We all deserve to feel safe regardless of where we work.
Enjoy and congratulations on "celebrating a century of service"!
An Aviation Advisory Board will convene in July 2017 to recommend selected officers to the Officer Assignment Board for initial flight training. The NOAA Corps will be selecting officers from the fleet who are interested in transitioning to aviation. Start dates for flight training will be determined based on the needs of the service and rotation dates of the officers selected. Flight experience is encouraged but is not required for this opportunity. Candidates must have less than six years of commissioned officer service prior to the start of flight training.
Requirements for the NOAA Corps Aviation Selection Process:
Notify LCDR Patrick Sweeney (assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov) – (301) 713-7694, by COB, May 26, 2017, if you are interested in this opportunity. AOC will be responsible for conducting interviews between May and June for all applicants. Completed aviation application packages must arrive at the Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) by COB, June 30, 2017.
For questions about NOAA aviation careers and the application process, contact LCDR Chris Kerns (christopher.kerns@noaa.gov) – (813) 828-4681 or LCDR Ron Moyers (ronald.moyers@noaa.gov) – (813) 828-4381.
For questions specific to the AFOQT or TBAS, contact LCDR Ron Moyers.
For questions specific to medical requirements and USCG Class I flight physicals, contact LCDR Paul Hoffman, USPHS, (paul.hoffman@noaa.gov) - (813) 828-4116.
As CPC finishes up the last OER validations of this past rating period, we have noticed a few recurring issues that continue to crop up. First and foremost we continue to come across OERs not locking after they have been signed. Two years ago, the form on the CPC website was modified to accept digital signatures and lock the document in the process. With no changes to content, the OER form remained the same version as the old form, Rev. 07-07. The only visual differences between the old and new form are red tabs in the signature blocks. To ensure you are using the correct form when preparing a new OER, please download the form from the CPC website.
Other special emphasis areas are:
For more information check the Officer Evaluation System page on the CPC website or contact CPC at oer.cpc@noaa.gov.
ATTENTION: Hear Ye! Hear Ye! All NOAA Corps Officers!
PLEASE, check your Leave and Earning Statements (LES) to make sure your State tax information is correct, i.e, that is you're getting tax withheld, or not, for the correct State.
If you have pay or allowances (i.e., career sea pay, aviation career incentive pay, family separation allowance, cost of living allowance, etc.) being paid and it should NOT be, please let payroll know immediately so that it can be stopped as soon as possible.