Message from the Director

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Monica Matthews, Deputy Director, CPC for over nine years of dedicated service to NOAA Corps and OMAO. Monica is moving up to a position with DOC and will be missed, but her achievements here will live on. Thanks and congratulations, Monica!

I came across these thoughts on leadership from Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus. The following are "Positive Strategies to Fuel Your Life and Career."

10 Thoughts On Leadership

  • People follow the leader first and the leader's vision second.
  • Trust is the force that connects people to the leaders and his/her vision.
  • Leadership is not just about what you do but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do.
  • A leader brings out the best within others by sharing the best within themselves.
  • Just because you're driving the bus doesn't mean you have the right to run people over.
  • Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.
  • Lead with optimism, enthusiasm and positive energy. Guard against pessimism and weed out negativity.
  • Great leaders know they don't have all the answers. Rather they build a team of people who either know the answers or will find them.
  • 9. Leaders inspire and teach people to focus on solutions, not complaints.
  • Great leaders know that success is a process not a destination.

I also found this quote to share…

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." – John Quincy Adams

Thanks to all of you for your continued dedication and service in this turbulent time. Be kind to yourself and those entrusted to your care.


CAPT Anne K. Lynch, NOAA
Director, CPC

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

LCDR Jonathan French 01 Feb 2018
LCDR Madeleine Adler 01 Mar 2018
RDML Anita Lopez 01 Mar 2018
LCDR Jennifer Pralgo 01 Mar 2018
CAPT Amilynn Adams 01 Jun 2018
CDR Nathan Hancock 01 Jun 2018
CAPT Robert Kamphaus 01 AUG 2018
LT Jessica Senzer 10 AUG 2018

End of Year Package (EOYP) - 2017

End of Year Package (EOYP) is drawing to a close. All officers are required to complete by the end of the month, no later than COB 4 February 2018. Thank you to the many officers who took their time to provide feedback via anonymous survey at package conclusion which will facilitate practical improvements to the effort for 2018.

For any questions, please email LT Laura Gibson at laura.gibson@noaa.gov

National ACO Scholarships -- Call for Applications

The Executive Committee of National ACO Scholarships, Inc. has issued its annual call to high school seniors and college undergrads for applications for scholarship awards for the 2018/2019 academic year. The two-page application form is available on the "Resources" page of the NOAA Officer Family Association website (www.nofaweb.org), under the heading "National ACO Scholarships, Inc." Application forms may also be obtained by contacting Secretary/Treasurer Captain Dave Peterson, NOAA (Ret), by phone (301-921-6357) or email (kmpdhp@comcast.net). Complete application packages should be sent to the corporation's post office address (on the application form) and should be postmarked this year no later than Friday, April 13, 2018.

Message from Marlow White: NOAA Officer Sword

NOAA Officer Sword – On Sale

To buy :
https://www.marlowwhite.com/noaa-corps-sword-and-scabbard?___SID=U (External website)

From the Assignment Desk: Assignments Webinar

Are you interested in learning more about the NOAA Corps assignment process? What you can do to help you land your next dream assignment. CPC will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, February 1st from 1300-1400 EST to give officers a look at the ever changing chess board.

Click on the link below to access the webinar:
https://omao-cpc.webex.com/omao-cpc/onstage/g.php?MTID=eeb852331c475807eedec587154b57f8f

Please send any questions to assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov beforehand so we can address them during the meeting. This webinar will be recorded and made available for viewing at a later time.

From the Assignment Desk: Billet #2523 - Right Whale Maritime Liaison

NOAA Fisheries is looking for a motivated officer to further NMFS Southeast Regional Office's efforts to reduce ship strikes of right whales in the Southeast. The incumbent will:

  • Interact with the shipping community at all levels, particularly shipping agents, port operator groups, and pilot's associations.
  • Assume a leading role in coordinating with state and federal partners, for aerial survey and unmanned operations during whale migration season.
  • Serve as Office's Liaison Officer to the United States Navy.
  • Serve as small boat Vessel Operations Coordinator, responsible for operational and budget management for two small field vessels.

Additional opportunities exist:

  • To expand roles and responsibilities of billet. Office is considering broadening area of scope to include the Gulf of Mexico.
  • To assist in Endangered Species Act consultation actions and to learn scientific and technical writing.

The incumbent must be a self-starter and have the ability to operate with little supervision. This billet provides an opportunity to develop customer service, budget management and procurement, and maintaining/developing relationships with federal and state agencies. This billet is expected to be open in March 2018.

If interested please update your preferences or contact the Assignment Coordinator. For questions, contact the Fisheries Liaison Officer, CAPT Michael Ellis, at (301) 427-8060.

From the Assignment Desk: Billet #0591- Nautical Science and Underway Training Officer

NOAA Corps Officer Training Center/Commissioned Personnel Center (NCOTC) is looking for a highly motivated and ambitious officer to take on the responsibilities of Nautical Science and Underway Training Officer at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), in New London, CT. NCOTC is the single accession point for all NOAA Corps Officers and is tasked with developing individual civilians into productive commissioned officers. The organization is the primary point of instilling core values and organizational understanding as well as establishing a solid base of maritime skills to build upon in the fleet.

The Nautical Science and Underway Training Officer is charged with establishing and maintaining a program that will improve the safety, efficiency, and professionalism of underway operations at NCOTC. The incumbent is the POC for underway training courses, improving current courses, and developing new courses as needed. This officer's primary duty will be to cultivate the newest junior officers of the NOAA Corps into quality bridge watch standers.

The officer selected for the position will also serve as nautical science instructor detailed to the Cadet Division, Professional Maritime Studies Branch as 1 of 12 USCG, US Navy, and NOAA Lieutenants during the academic year. As an instructor during the academic year they teach cadets in nautical science subjects and assist with USCGA summer training for 250 Second Class (junior) USCG cadets while also fulfill Academy watchstanding duties throughout the year.

This assignment is expected to be vacant in March 2018. If interested please update your preferences and contact the Assignment Coordinator.