Message from the Director

NOAA Corps Community -

Happy New Year, and I hope everyone was able to find at least a few moments of peace during the recent holidays. Thank you to those who stood the watch, supported your local teams, and kept our assets safe through the holidays.

As the leadership transitions continue, today marks my last day as the Director, CPC. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served you briefly as the CPC Director and the chance to better understand the critical role CPC plays in our organization. Effective immediately, CAPT(sel) Douglas MacIntyre will assume the position.

Before I sign out of this assignment, however, I want to highlight the historic NOAA Officer Corps Amendment Act of 2020 that became law on December 23, 2020. The effort to approve this legislation has been underway for almost two decades. Passage of such significant legislation is a testament to the importance and professionalism of NOAA Corps officers. The service you provide the nation is valued. With the passage of this law, we now have authorities to:

  • Increase the strength of the NOAA Corps
  • Enhance the diversity of the NOAA Corps
  • Implement service requirements
  • Align training and fitness standards with Coast Guard and/or other services
  • Improve recruitment through tools such as education loan assistance and expanded hiring authorities
  • Numerous improvements to other essential areas of the service

The CPC team has started tackling the implementation of this policy and is approaching the opportunity similar to how you might approach a project in your office. We can implement some of these items immediately, while others will take much longer. Many of the new or updated authorities will require changes to the NOAA Corps Directives, and CPC is planning to properly resource this effort to better support the workload increase. Of particular interest is growing the NOAA Corps. To increase the service's strength, we will need to secure funding to support the increased costs (salaries and support structure). If we can fund an increase in strength, one of the first priorities will be to fully resource our existing assignments' operational rotational tempo. We have all been part of gapped assignments, truncated or non-existent overlaps, shortened leave, or placing the burden of a PCS squarely on our loved ones while we rush off to sea or flight. Prioritizing our people is goal one in the OMAO Strategic Plan, and implementation of the NOAA Corps Amendments Act will be in alignment with this goal. The implementation of the NOAA Corps Amendments Act will be a process, and there will be growing pains. Still, the opportunity is exciting, and the team will be working diligently to capitalize on this historic legislation.

Keep up the great work, be safe, and I look forward to connecting with you.

Warm Regards,

Directors signature
CAPT Chad Cary, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

On the Horizon

25 Mar 2021 OCS 2-21/BOTC 137 Billet Night

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

LTJG Brian Caldwell 01 Feb 2021
CDR Sean Cimilluca 01 Mar 2021
LTJG Tyler Fifield 22 Mar 2021
RADM Michael J. Silah 01 Apr 2021
CDR Paul Kunicki 01 May 2021

Leaders in the NOAA Corps - RADM Michael J. Silah

This Cyberflash's leader in the NOAA Corps is RADM Michael J. Silah. As RDML Nancy L. Hann shared earlier this week, RADM Silah is not one to seek attention or credit. However, under his leadership the organization has made tremendous strides. Here is a collection of major accomplishments that I am re-sharing from the All Hands message earlier this week:

  • Six consecutive years of $75M for Fleet Recapitalization.
  • On December 31, 2020 the contract was awarded for detailed design and construction of NOAA Ships Oceanographer and Discoverer.
  • FY21 marked the 3rd year of increased funding ($20M annually) for vessel maintenance.
  • On December 18, 2020 a new King Air was delivered to AOC, marking the first new NOAA aircraft in 10 years.
  • The G550 green aircraft is complete, modifications are underway, and the FY21 Omnibus included $20M in funds towards the remaining balance.
  • We have a robust Total Worker Health Program in OMAO which is a holistic employee advocacy centered approach that includes critical resources such as behavioral health and substance abuse programs.
  • OMAO has served as the NOAA lead for the COVID-19 response, and industry leader in robust, integrated protocols rooted in the best science.
  • The FY21 Omnibus included $2M for additional flight hours to meet the demand of hurricane forecasting based on the unique capabilities of our aircraft and personnel.
  • On December 23, 2020 the NOAA Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020 became law after a decade of effort led by RADM Silah.

Congratulations on a very successful career, thank you for your service, and best of luck in retirement!

Welcome aboard BOTC 137!

On January 6th, BOTC 137 arrived at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. The class is comprised of 10 new officers. They are beginning their Restriction of Movement (ROM) phase and have 17 weeks of training ahead of them before the scheduled graduation date of May 3rd.

Sarah J. CozartGrand Blanc, MI
Austin J. GeartyHuntington Beach, CA
Cara L. GeigerEast Brunswick, NJ
Connor T. HealyArlington, VA
Caroline M. JahnRockville Centre, NY
Daniel S. LucasIthorots, France
Aaron P. MacyCharleston, IL
Christopher A. MehtaMoreno Valley, CA
Shellyann R. RofritsHonolulu, HI
Sarah J. RollingsAlcester, SD
Photo credit: LTJG Brittany Sagardia, USCG

Medical Affairs: Direct Contact Information

Medical Affairs would like to share a direct number with our officers so they can text with any questions or concerns. These are trying times and the team wants to be as accessible as possible. If you need any advice, clinical or administrative, please call/text: 202-657-8416 and you'll reach LT MacGregor.