History: Excuse me, have you seen my mule?

While packing into a survey station in the Big Sur country of the California coast in the 1930's, Lieutenant Charles Pierce noticed a mule rolling down a slope:
"75 feet down, striking on the instrument and pack several times in his descent. At the proper time in his roll he shot his legs out from under his body where they had been curled and simply landed square up on a flat bench about 75 feet below where he took off. From the tinkle of the glass, the distance of the drop, and the number of times the pack took the impact of the falling mule down the slope, we figured the instrument was certainly damaged beyond our repair and the mule probably internally injured".

"Upon examination of the situation the pack was still secured, the mule bleeding but active, for he started nibbling feed, and the instrument from a surface examination in good order. The tinkle of glass fortunately was the oil and shellac vials rather than microscopes or telescopes. As we were close to the summit of this pack we persuaded the animal to go over the scene of his recent tumble and to the station. The instrument did not require other than normal adjustment and performed as well from that time on as it had formerly. My respect for that type of Fennel theodolite is of the highest…."

"Hopefully Lieutenant Pierce's respect for the mule was of the highest also!"

Like your Benefits

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has gone social. Friend them on Facebook and keep yourself informed.

Did you know that VA provides free Beneficiary Financial Counseling and Online Will Preparation to beneficiaries of SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance), TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection), FSGLI (Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance), and VGLI (Veterans' Group Life Insurance)?

From the Assignment Desk: Billet 3200 – Associate Director of OAR's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML)

Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is seeking a self-driven senior officer to serve as Associate Director of OAR's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in the Key Biscayne area of Miami, FL. AOML's responsibilities cover such diverse fields as hurricane research, ocean currents, and marine chemistry.

The officer supervises the operation, maintenance, and upgrades to the 78,000 sqft, 150 employee facility in Miami, FL. The officer manages facilities staff, including federal employees, contractors, and officers. The officer is responsible for the maintenance, safety, and security of AOML including emergency response plans, safety equipment, inspections, training, exercises, and overall preparedness. The officer is also the chair of the safety committee, AOML NEPA representative, and the Foreign National and Deemed Export backup. The officer coordinates all vessel platform needs, both NOAA and charter vessels, including out year observing requirements and platform support needs. The officer represents AOML in regular OAR-wide discussions and assists with the leadership team at AOML.

This high priority billet will be open December 2018. If interested please refer to the billet description and contact the OAR Assignment Liaison, CAPT Philip Hall (philip.g.hall@noaa.gov) or the current AOML Associate Director, LCDR Mark Blankenship (mark.blankenship@noaa.gov).

From the Assignment Desk: Billet 0920 – Ops In Training, NOAA Ship Fairweather

Come sail aboard NOAA Ship Fairweather as 4th officer! As 4th, you will work on the world's most advanced hydrographic systems while planning complex operations to maximize ship productivity. Fairweather 4th officers gain invaluable hydrography and mariner skills while sailing the stunning Alaskan coast. Although a hydrography background is preferred, any motivated officer with analytical skills will succeed as 4th officer! Your mariner skills will expand through attaining hydrographic proficiency, while your contributions will increase coastal 'intelligence' through seafloor surveying, chart upgrades, and underwater obstruction identification. The 4th assists with junior officer and survey department tasking and management, while training for the OPS management role. This is a fairly unique role in the fleet, and it is great leadership experience for future positions. The incumbent officer will also gain operational experience with advanced and developing technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, precise positioning systems, software development and testing, and sonar systems. Upon arrival, you will receive sufficient time for hydrographic system and ship acclimation. Fairweather 4th officers are eligible for the NOAA Arctic Service Medal, Pacific Service Ribbon, SWO, and HIC qualifications.

Billet 0920, Ops in Training (4th), is available for all interested O2-O3 with a report date of Feb-2019. Please contact LT Stephen Moulton (stephen.f.moulton@noaa.gov) for additional information and provide any interest to the Assignment Coordinator for consideration.