My recent detail assignments have included powerful opportunities to not only collaborate with leaders across government, but to rejuvenate my purpose, passion and spirit. Returning to CPC only accentuates my belief in the position and authority we each have to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The officers of the NOAA Corps accomplish this through their integral roles in NOAA's programs and operations of the agency's broad spectrum of observational platforms. CPC's responsibility is to enable officers by enhancing the customer experience; increasing service transparency and accountability; and enabling you to dedicate more time to NOAA's unique missions.
We are intrinsically tied as the importance of these NOAA missions rely on enabling personnel processes and services which attract, commission, develop, evaluate, engage and motivate the officers of the NOAA Corps. In many ways, we share in one another's successes as well as our challenges. There is drive both within and external to our Center, fueled by the need for greater standardization of processes, clearer guidance and improved responsiveness to engender greater trust.
I am reminded of a favorite quote from Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson. In part she says " … Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. … Your playing small does not serve the world. .. We are all meant to shine, .... " CPC intends to shine and is working to consistently improve in serving each other and the officers entrusted in our care.
It is good to be home, and I look forward to our paths crossing soon.
Monica M.P. Matthews,
Deputy Director, CPC
| 03 July 2017 | Change of Command - NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer |
| 23 July 2017 | BOTC 130 commences |
| 31 July - 4 Aug 2017 | Marine Ops - CO/XO Immersion Week |
| CDR Brian Parker | 01 Aug 2017 |
| CDR Peter Siegel | 01 Aug 2017 |
| LTJG Sean Luis | 18 Aug 2017 |
| LT Jasmine Cousins | 01 Sep 2017 |
| LT Michael Marino | 01 Sep 2017 |
| LT Andrea Proie | 15 Sep 2017 |
| CDR Matthew Wingate | 01 Oct 2017 |
| RADM David Score | 01 Nov 2017 |
| LCDR Denise Gruccio | 01 Nov 2017 |
| LCDR Brian Prestcott | 01 Nov 2017 |
We have all encountered dry official reports and have sometimes been the author of them. However, occasionally one finds in government publications a wonderfully lyrical prose that evokes great emotion. For all of us who love the ocean, the following is such an example:
"Man stands with bowed head in the presence of nature's visible grandeurs, such as towering mountains, precipices, or icebergs, forests of immense trees, grand rivers, or waterfalls. He realizes the force of waves that can sweep away light-houses or toss an ocean steamer about like a cork. In a vessel floating on the Gulf Stream one sees nothing of the current and knows nothing but what experience tells him; but to be anchored in its depths far out of the sight of land, and to see the mighty torrent rushing past at a speed of miles per hour, day after day and day after day, one begins to think that all the wonders of the earth combined can not equal this one river in the ocean."
These words were written by Navy Lieutentant John Elliott Pillsbury, Assistant in the Coast Survey, in the introduction to his 1890 classic work, "The Gulf Stream". LT Pillsbury was one of many outstanding naval officers that served on the Coast and Geodetic Survey prior to the Spanish-American War. "The Gulf Stream" reported on his work as commanding officer of the USC&GS Steamer BLAKE, perhaps the most innovative oceanographic vessel of the 19th Century. Among its accomplishments, the BLAKE pioneered deep ocean anchoring, was the first to use steel wire for over-the-side operations, and was a pioneer in the use of piano-wire sounding instrumentation through the invention of the Sigsbee sounding machine (Sigsbee Diagram).
On Sunday, June 18, at 2 p.m. in Leamy Concert Hall, the Coast Guard Band presents "In Storm and Sunshine" featuring the inaugural performance of the NOAA service song composed by Chief Musician Sean Nelson as well as works personifying NOAA's multifaceted mission.
The program opens with John Philip Sousa's famous march, "The Thunderer," followed by Jess Turner's concerto for tuba entitled "Heavy Weather" performed by Principal Tubist Chief Musician Adam Crowe. Another march, "In Storm and Sunshine," leads to a tune by Carlisle Floyd called "Ain't it a Pretty Night" sung by Musician 1st Class Megan Weikleenget. Frank Ticheli's rousing work "Wild Nights" is conducted by Musician 1st Class Nathan Lassell, a participant in the Band's Conducting and Leadership Program. The Band gives the first official performance of "Into the Oceans and the Air," NOAA's newly minted service song composed by our very own Chief Musician Sean Nelson. Finally, the audience is treated to energetic music from "The Sea Hawk" by the great Eric Korngold.
This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Leamy Concert Hall is located at 15 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320 and is accessible to those with disabilities. To enter the Coast Guard Academy, drivers are required to present a valid photo ID.
The new OER forms are here! To help ease the transition to these new form, CPC will be hosting a training webinar on Friday, July 7th at 1400 Eastern Time. Please send any questions to oer.cpc@noaa.gov beforehand so we can address them during the meeting.
The newest version of the Chapter 12 Uniform Directives was published on Thursday, May 18. This happened much more quickly than anticipated and we did not have a proper roll out or grace period for some of the changes. We have received several comments from officers and are working to address them. The UAB is developing a Summary of Changes and will publish that in the next 10 days. In addition, RADM Score has signed a memo to authorize a waiver from the current NOAA Corps Chapter 12 Directives regarding the wear of the Female Service Dress White Coat. The Navy recently updated their regulations to include the Choker White Coat for Female Officers in addition to the Service Dress White Coat. The NOAA Corps Uniform Directives will be updated to include this, however in the interim, this memo (attached here) serves as the authority for females to wear the Choker White Coat. Please continue to reach out to the UAB with any questions or concerns at noaacorps.uab@noaa.gov.
https://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/footer?content_id=290760
An Aviation Advisory Board will convene during the month of July 2017 to make recommendations for the next G-IV pilot. 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 May 2018 estimated start date.
By COB, Friday, June 30, 2017, all interested officers should submit an email (one-page maximum) to LCDR Patrick Sweeney 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 Files. Please ensure that your file and assignment preferences are up to date.
Aviators with specific questions regarding this position may contact LCDR Chris Kerns on (813) 828-4681 or at christopher.kerns@noaa.gov.
Enjoy and congratulations on "celebrating a century of service"!
#0621 – Marine Operations Center – Atlantic (MOC-A) is looking for a highly motivated officer to take on the responsibilities of Port Captain, Charleston Marine Support Facility (CMSF) in Charleston, SC.
CMSF supports the logistical needs of NOAA Ships Ronald H. Brown and Nancy Foster, as well as other visiting NOAA vessels. CMSF has 650 square feet of office space, 550 feet of pier space (on a shared pier with USCG), a half-acre storage area, and maintains a fleet of two GSA leased vehicles. The Port Captain coordinates logistics and shipping/receiving for the ships, and also helps manage the facility, accountable property, budget, and ship's security guard contract. Additionally, the Port Captain is the primary OMAO representative to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, U.S. Coast Guard, local NOAA offices, and other federal and state agencies.
The incumbent needs to be a self-starter who can operate with little supervision and be able to prioritize requirements. This billet provides an opportunity to develop customer service, budget management and procurement, and maintaining/developing relationships with federal and state agencies. The billet also provides opportunities to augment and possibly qualify as OOD aboard NOAA Ships Nancy Foster and/or Ronald H. Brown. The logistical aspects of the assignment would help prepare an officer for a follow-on tour as Operations Officer.
This assignment is expected to be vacant in August 2017. Officers interested in this assignment should update preferences, contact the incumbent as well as the Assignment Coordinator.