Message from the Director

Fellow NOAA Corps officers,

I am excited to be writing my first Cyberflash Director's Message as the new Director of the Commissioned Personnel Center. It has been my goal since 2013 to get to this position so I could have the chance to give back to all of the NOAA Corps officers who make this such a great organization.

I would like to thank CAPT Anne Lynch for her service and work serving as the Acting CPC Director while also serving in her billet as Director of the NOAA Homeland Security Program Office. Her commitment to NOAA as well as the NOAA Corps is truly astounding and her leadership while at CPC the past six months and throughout her career has been inspirational to me. While turning over the watch with her it was immediately apparent how dedicated she is to try and help all NOAA Corps officers, senior and junior, reach their full potential.

It is great to return to CPC and see familiar faces as well as some new ones. I wish to relay to all of you that the entire CPC staff remains committed to continual improvement of the services that we provide. The CPC team works diligently across several functional areas and perform many critical duties and responsibilities that ensure the NOAA Corps as an organization operates efficiently and legally. I feel fortunate to be leading this CPC team and we are committed to serving and supporting the officers and families of the NOAA Corps.

Looking back on why I've always wanted to serve as the CPC Director I realize it comes down to the fact that I consider myself a servant leader. A servant leader is one that shares power, puts the needs of others first, and helps others develop professionally. The servant leader strives to serve others rather than have others serve them. To me, this leadership philosophy seems like it will be a great fit while serving as the CPC Director.

I intend to spend as much time as I can meeting with NOAA Corps officers at different events to keep the communication between the officers and CPC flowing and looking for ways the two groups can help each other make the NOAA Corps a stronger organization. I look forward to working with each and every one of you during my time here at CPC.


CAPT Devin Brakob, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

On the Horizon

7 - 11 May 2018 Gulf Coast Hurricane Awareness Tour
17 May 2018 BOTC 131 Graduation

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

LTJG Bryan Stephan 11 May 2018
ENS Bethany McAcy 25 May 2018
CAPT Amilynn Adams 01 Jun 2018
CDR Nathan Hancock 01 Jun 2018
LCDR Lyndsey Davis 01 Jun 2018
CAPT Robert Kamphaus 01 AUG 2018
LT Jessica Senzer 10 AUG 2018
LT Adam Ruckman 24 AUG 2018
LT Gavin Chensue 31 AUG 2018
LTJG Kathryn Richwine 05 SEP 2018
LT Daniel Langis 01 OCT 2018
LCDR David Cowan 26 OCT 2018
LCDR Brian Prestcott 01 Nov 2018

Aviation Advisory Board Announcement

An Aviation Advisory Board will convene in late July 2018 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. Previous flight experience is not required for this opportunity however, it is highly encouraged and will help applicants determine if aviation is a desirable career path. 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:

  • Complete all sections of NOAA Form 56-43 (Application for NOAA Corps Aviation Program)
  • Complete a USCG Class I flight physical.
  • Complete the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)
  • Complete the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS). This test must be taken after the AFOQT.
  • Retrieve and include your Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) score. This is a combination of the two tests above and your flight experience.
  • A recommendation for aviation selection must be included in Section 10 (Potential) of the applicant's Officer Evaluation Report (NOAA form 56-6A), or provide a written endorsement from your current supervisor.

Notify LCDR Stephen Kuzirian (assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov) – (301) 713-7694, by COB, June 15, 2017, if you are interested in this opportunity. AOC will be responsible for conducting interviews between May and July for all applicants. Completed aviation application packages must arrive at the Commissioned Personnel Center by COB, July 15, 2017.

For questions about NOAA aviation careers and the application process, contact CDR Brad Fritzler (bradley.fritzler@noaa.gov) – (863)500-3902.

For questions specific to medical requirements and USCG Class I flight physicals, contact LCDR Paul Hoffman, USPHS, (paul.hoffman@noaa.gov) - (813) 828-4116.