Message from the Director

Fellow NOAA Corps officers,

My first four months at CPC have been professionally rewarding. I have seen the CPC team work in many different ways to support NOAA Corps officers and their families. A great deal of this support is routine in nature but I have also learned that, being such a small organization, many personnel issues are specific and nuanced. During my time as Director, I have seen CPC staff working diligently on specific cases with officers and Centers in regards to special pay, PCS moves, 9/11 GI Bill transferability, policy interpretation, assignments, terminal leave, and OERs with positive results to the NOAA Corps. In keeping with the center's goal of quality customer service, if you would like to see information on a particular topic in future editions of the Cyberflash please let me know so we can reach a larger audience when appropriate.

I am also encouraged by the numerous ideas and suggestions I have received from NOAA Corps officers. Law, policy, and resources do not allow all ideas to be implemented immediately, if ever, but I keep these suggestions archived for possible action in the future and for input into the NOAA Corps Directives as we update them. Please continue to send me your ideas and recommendations.


CAPT Devin Brakob, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

On the Horizon

19 Sep 2018 CO/XO Command Advisory Board
11 Oct 2018 BOTC 132 Billet Night
14 Oct - 01 Nov 2018 REFTRA 85
20 Nov 2018 BOTC 132 Graduation

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

LT Gavin Chensue 31 AUG 2018
LTJG Kathryn Richwine 05 SEP 2018
CAPT Robert Kamphaus 01 OCT 2018
LT Daniel Langis 01 OCT 2018
LCDR David Cowan 26 OCT 2018
LCDR Brian Prestcott 01 Nov 2018
LT Kyle Salling 11 Nov 2018
LT Adam Ruckman 15 Nov 2018
LT Steven Loy 15 Nov 2018
LT Carmen DeFazio 16 Nov 2018
LT Tanner Sims 19 Nov 2018
LTJG Sarah Chappel 30 Nov 2018
CAPT Scott Sirois 01 Dec 2018
LT Felicia Drummond 21 Dec 2018

Sail aboard USCGC EAGLE

Feel the wind in your face, climb the rigging, sail aboard America's Tall Ship!

There is an opening for an officer between the grades of O4 - O6 to accompany BOTC 132 and OCS 1-19 aboard USCGC EAGLE from September 24, 2018 through October 5, 2018. The ship is currently scheduled to depart from Baltimore, MD and return to Baltimore (subject to change). The ship will act as an underway training platform to instill confidence, bolster teamwork, and orient new officers to life at sea.

While on board you'll have the chance to act as a bridge team member and an instructor for up to 95 officer candidates, and directly impact the underway experience of our newest group of NOAA Corps officers.

Travel costs may be available through CPC if you are interested. Please contact CDR Keith Golden (keith.golden@noaa.gov) at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center for additional details.

Welcome Aboard - LT Bennett Singletary

LT Singletary is an Inter-Service Transfer from the Navy and has joined the NOAA Corps as a pilot at the Aircraft Operations Center. LT Singletary comes to us with over 2,200 flight hours. He spent his Navy time flying P-3s out of Whidbey Island, WA with the VP-40 Fighting Marlins where he deployed twice to the Middle East and to the South Pacific. His most recent tour was at VT-2 in Milton, FL where he was a primary flight instructor, amassing nearly 1,000 instructional hours of basic, instrument, aerobatic, and formation flying in the T-6B. LT Singletary hails from Tampa, FL and is excited about moving home and to be flying our light research aircraft.

Department of Commerce Organizational Gold Medals

NOAA was recently recognized as a recipient of the 2018 Department of Commerce Organizational Gold Honor Award for work during the 2017 hurricane season. All NOAA Corps officers who were active duty during the 2017 hurricane season will be authorized the Department of Commerce Organizational Gold Medal, the highest honorary award granted by the Secretary. Additional congratulations to the crew of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson for receiving an additional 2018 Department of Commerce Organizational Gold Award for their response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after the passage of Hurricane Maria. The 70th Annual Honors Ceremony is scheduled for September 25, 2018; CPC has begun the process of procurement and documentation with the intent to provide hardware and update records for officers as soon as practical thereafter.

Aviation Advisory Board Results

Congratulations to the following officers who were selected to aviation assignments on July 25, 2018:

  • LTJG Christopher J. Licitra – Initial Flight Training
  • LT David B. Keith – P-3 Pilot Training
  • LT Dean J. Legidakes Jr., USN – P-3 Pilot

CLC Update

As of May 2018, Mr. Scott Tessmer is no longer with OMAO. All training questions, including those for promotion requirement, should be addressed to the CPC Learning Coordinator, LT Ricardo Rodriguez Perez at cpc.training@noaa.gov or by phone at 301-713-7736.

For CLC specific concerns, please contact Ms. Cari Kelly at omao.clc@noaa.gov and include the CPC Learning Coordinator to ensure proper coordination.

Please remember, non-recurring, non-promotion training certificates should be uploaded to your OPF to document your professional development efforts.

SOES Notification

Announcing the upcoming implementation of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Online Enrollment System (SOES)! SOES is a web-based system allowing NOAA Corps officers to quickly and easily validate or change SGLI or Family SGLI (FSGLI) coverage amounts and beneficiaries. Reducing the workload for administrative personnel, SOES eliminates the use of SGLI/FSGLI paper forms for most officers eligible for this valuable life insurance benefit. All SGLI-eligible members must validate their current SGLI and FSGLI coverage amounts and beneficiaries as soon as practicable through SOES during the implementation period, from October 01, 2018 through March 31, 2019. The current SGLI and FSGLI elections will be uploaded into SOES prior to October 01, 2018.

Effective October 01, 2018, NOAA Corps officers can access SOES 24/7 via the DoD milConnect portal, https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/ using their Common Access Card (CAC). After an officer logs into the SOES application and validates beneficiary name(s) and benefit share amounts using an electronic signature, the SOES record becomes the authoritative record for SGLI/FSGLI elections.

Detailed instructions for system access and certification will be made available to officers as the requirement to access the system during the implementation period approaches. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please contact LCDR Laura Gibson (laura.gibson@noaa.gov) at 301-713-7712.

Fact Sheet for "Post-9/11 GI Bill" Changes (DODI 1341.13)

Fact Sheet for "Post-9/11 GI Bill" Changes (DODI 1341.13)

Command Advisory Board (CAB): CO and XO Assignments

A CAB is scheduled for September 19, 2018, to make recommendations for Commanding Officer and Executive Officer assignments. Any officer within two years of rotation could be considered for these ship assignments. CPC is requesting OPF updates specifically for this CAB be submitted by September 5, 2018. Please ensure your assignment preferences are updated to reflect your latest interest and reach out to ship and Marine Center COs to discuss possible CO and XO assignments. For any questions, please contact LCDR Stephen Kuzirian at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov or by phone at 301-713-7694.

From the Assignments Desk: NOS Billet #7652: Marine Operations Coordinator, NMSAS

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is looking for a self-driven officer to serve in a remote National Marine Sanctuary assignment. This billet serves the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) and is located on the island of Tutuila, American Samoa. The officer will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the site's small boat, implementing field operations designed to achieve site specific goals and objectives, serve in roles related to facilities, safety, and vessels, and assist with a variety of administrative tasks to ensure the site operates efficiently. The officer will also serve as the liaison to the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Law Enforcement, and other agencies with small boat operations in American Samoa.

This billet provides the incumbent with an opportunity to gain leadership experience through oversight of vessel operations and projects within NMSAS and have the opportunity to execute budgets, oversee projects, develop operational plans, and participate in inter-agency collaborations.

For more information please contact LTJG Lauren Jarlenski at lauren.jarlenski@noaa.gov, LCDR Sean Cimilluca at sean.cimilluca@noaa.gov or LCDR Stephen Kuzirian at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov.