New Staff at CPC

CPC is proud to introduce the new talented officers who have joined Team CPC:

Lieutenant Michael Ball recently reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center as the Executive Officer, replacing LCDR Larry Thomas. LT Ball just completed his Operations Officer tour aboard the NOAA Ship Henry. B. Bigelow, and is looking forward to applying his practical knowledge and skills to develop the newest officers of the NOAA Corps. Prior assignments for LT Ball include Operations Officer for OMAO Northeast Marine Support Facility and Northeast Fisheries Science Center Protected Species Branch in Woods Hole, MA, and a JO tour aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette, in addition to augmentation assignments on the NOAA Ship Pisces and R/V Gloria Michelle.

Lieutenant Steve Moulton is the new Staff Officer assigned to CPC, Officer Personnel Management Division (OPMD). He joins the team after a few successful seasons aboard NOAA Ship Fairweather as the Operations Officer. LT Moulton also served in an acting XO capacity, which gave him an excellent introduction to some of the HR-related issues he will be working with while at OPMD. LT Moulton is interested in learning the inner workings of the NOAA Corps, as well as to establish himself as an asset for officers and their families to rely upon in service of their HR issues.

BOTC 136 Hits the Books and the Field

BOTC 136 recently participated in field training exercises at Survival Systems USA and the Rhode Island Fire Academy. Exercises included survival swim techniques, search and rescue, firefighting, and escaping from a simulated crash underwater. The OCs thoroughly enjoyed the training and the bonding involved with the exercises, but mostly enjoyed escaping the barracks for a few hours each day! On the horizon are exams in Navigation 1 and Basic Firefighting before starting Electronic Navigation. The students are just over two weeks away from setting sail for a two week training cruise aboard the USCGC Eagle on September 20th.

CPC Webinar: General Information

CPC routinely sponsors webinars targeting specific processes such as the Officer Evaluation System (OES), Uniform and Awards processes, PCS, etc. CAPT Brakob has worked with the NOAA Corps Junior Officer Advisory Committee (NJAC) Executive Board to host a more general webinar to discuss a variety of issues important to NOAA Corps officers. CPC has scheduled a webinar on September 21, 2020, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM eastern time to cover as many topics as we can. We will provide a web address and call in numbers later via a CPC Director's message. Questions submitted by September 10 will have priority but questions during the webinar will also be answered as time permits. The link to submit questions is:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffpfjfwOKGlC0pjX9UpHkASE0pJM3DmW_l35cJOMQWL8d-VQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

The webinar will also be available on the CPC website for viewing by any officers who are not available during the broadcast.

Heavy Aircraft - Aviation Advisory Board

An Aviation Advisory Board (AAB) will convene at the end of September to make recommendations for AOC's next G-IV and P-3 pilots. This AAB will not have minimum Total Flight Time and Aircraft Commander experience requirements, however, these factors will be taken into consideration. Selections will be made for one G-IV pilot and one P-3 pilot. Rank and time in service, while not limited, will also be factors in the selection process.

By COB, September 23, 2020, all interested officers should submit a one-page document to CDR Stephen Kuzirian at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov, with the following detailed information:

• Explain how your experience and expertise will benefit the programs and missions which the aircraft support
• Aircraft ratings held
• Positions held by aircraft (both AOC and other) and current flight times in those positions
• Any additional information that will highlight your accomplishments, performance, and potential for success as a G-IV or P-3 pilot

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. Inter-service candidates can submit prior personnel records to CDR Stephen Kuzirian.

Aviation Selections from the Fleet

There have been several inquiries regarding when there may be a selection from the Fleet for NOAA aviators. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Air Force had previously suspended scheduling AFOQT and TBAS testing, which are requirements for our aviator candidates. Subsequently, an Aviation Advisor Board (AAB) for these selections was put on hold. However, some locations are now starting to allow testing again. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to your local Air Force recruiter to see if you are able to schedule an appointment and inform CDR Brad Fritzler of that capability. Once testing is widely available, we will look to schedule the AAB in the coming months.

Officers with specific questions regarding these positions may contact CDR Brad Fritzler at bradley.fritzler@noaa.gov.

Command Advisory Board: CO and XO Assignments

A Command Advisory Board is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2020, to make recommendations for Commanding Officer and Executive Officer assignments. Any officer within 18 months of rotation could be considered for these ship assignments. Please ensure your assignment preferences are updated to reflect your latest interest, and reach out to ship Commands and the Marine Centers to discuss possible CO and XO assignments. For any questions, please contact CDR Stephen Kuzirian at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov or by phone at 301-713-7694.

Officer Assignment Board: O-4/O-5 Shore Assignments

An Officer Assignment Board (OAB) for O-4/O-5 shore assignments will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The OAB will be prepared to look at potential O-4/O-5 officers and assignments up to 18 months from now. If you are due to rotate to a shore/ground assignment in the next 18 months, please ensure your assignment preferences are up to date, discuss potential assignments with the appropriate liaison officer, and contact the assignment coordinator, CDR Stephen Kuzirian, with any questions at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov or by phone at 301-713-7694.