Good afternoon, fellow officers,
Welcome to February! From the many chats I have had over the past two weeks it is apparent that quite a few of us have had the pleasure of a recent snow day, or at least a snow morning, to enjoy. Taking the time to get outside to throw a snowball or sled down a hill can do wonders for combatting winter fatigue - especially considering that Punxsutanwney Phil saw his shadow this past Tuesday, forecasting six additional weeks of heavy coats and mittens. Even our team in Lakeland, FL, saw the temperatures drop to freezing this week! I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and others as winter rolls on and the days remain short.
Switching gears, I would like to provide an update on the 2020 NOAA Corps promotion packages. The new DOC leadership team is preparing to transition into office and this has resulted in a pause for processing correspondence packages. Among these items are the packages to effect the approved promotions for all ranks, O2-O7. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo received confirmation from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Wednesday and her nomination will now go to a vote of the full U.S. Senate. This process could be days or weeks away, and until she is confirmed our direction is to hold all actions until guidance is given. No waivers or workarounds are provided for items that require Secretarial approval. The team at CPC is primed and ready to move the packages forward as soon as possible and we will work tirelessly to ensure our personnel actions are completed as expeditiously as possible.
Additionally, I would like to put to rest the concerns of our BOTC-131 officers who have now held the rank of ensign for over three years. You will not be automatically separated. CPC works in consultation with General Council on a regular basis and they have provided clear guidance on how the applicable laws are to be interpreted. CPC has spent considerable time looking at these as well and we are in agreement. Only officers in the permanent grade of ensign who are found not fully qualified at the three year mark shall be separated from the commissioned officer corps. To be clear, all BOTC-131 officers have been found qualified as evidenced by the results of the Officer Personnel Board that met in April 2020. The recommendations for your promotions were approved by the President on 11 January 2021 and we are now simply waiting to effect these promotions - and that loops back to my earlier paragraph. I hear your concerns, however, I remain optimistic that the process will move more quickly in the near future.
There is one more thing I would like to bring up. Earlier this week, I released a CPC Director's Message, under the direction of the Deputy Director of the NOAA Corps, that all NOAA Corps officers are to be in the appropriate Uniform of the Day (Service Dress, Service Khakis, ODUs, etc) while conducting NOAA business in the virtual environment or government facility. As a follow on, the grooming standards that were relaxed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic are back in effect as well.
Finally, I would like to close out this week with one of my favorite quotes from former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell. It is short and to the point; however, I hope you take it to heart and reflect on it as you end your day and start your weekend:
"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."
Stay healthy,
CDR Douglas MacIntyre, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center
| 18 Feb 2021 | 2021 National African American History Month Program Observance |
| 25 Mar 2021 | OCS 2-21/BOTC 137 Billet Night |
| CDR Sean Cimilluca | 01 Mar 2021 |
| LTJG Tyler Fifield | 22 Mar 2021 |
| RADM Michael Silah | 01 Apr 2021 |
| CDR Paul Kunicki | 01 May 2021 |
| RDML Shepard Smith | 01 Jun 2021 |
BOTC 137 at a formation during a snow flurry. Photo: LTJG Brittany Sagardia, USCG |
A member of BOTC 137 attempts to pass an accountability report while under the watchful eye of LT Gallagher. Photo: LTJG Brittany Sagardia, USCG
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BOTC 137 prepares to complete an underwater helicopter evacuation training evolution. Photo: LT Chris Gallagher |
BOTC 137 has wrapped up the Restriction of Movement and Indoctrination phases of the program. The 10 member class arrived in New London, CT at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center located at the United States Coast Guard Academy on January 6th to begin their 20 weeks of training alongside 69 Coast Guard Officer Candidate School classmates and 5 classmates from international partners (Bahamas, Lebanon, Liberia, and Malta). With Indoctrination complete, the cohort moves into the Junior Phase of the program where they will be focusing on a course load of basic seamanship, aids to navigation, basic safety training, and leadership and management over the few weeks.
NOAA is pleased to announce its 2021 National African American History Month Program Observance. Each year in the month of February, the United States celebrates the rich contributions that African Americans have made to American history. This year marks the 45 anniversary of the changing of Negro History Week to Black History Month. This year's theme is "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity." The theme explores the wide-ranging diversity of black family life, from single to two-parent households to nuclear, extended and, more recently, bi-racial. Throughout African American history, factors such as slavery, inequality, and poverty have put pressure on maintaining family ties, when a better life meant traveling far from home.
To commemorate National African American History for 2021 the Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights cordially invites you to attend this year's virtual program, which will be held on:
| Date: | Thursday, February 18, 2021 |
| Location: | Virtual - GoToWebinar |
| Time: | 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (ET) |
| Keynote Speaker: |
Judge Rohulamin Quander
President, The Quander Historical and Educational Society, Inc. |
Judge Rohulamin Quander, a native Washingtonian, is a retired Senior Administrative Law Judge for the District of Columbia. He is also a member of the Quander Family whose distinguished history in the Washington, D.C. area is traced to the 1670s, which legacy includes Mount Vernon Plantation ancestors Sukey Bay, Nancy Carter Quander, and West Ford, among others, all of whom were in involuntary service to George Washington. Judge Quander periodically serves as an advisor to Mount Vernon, most recently in the exhibit, Lives Bound Together, Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon, and still maintains close ties. He often serves as a guest lecturer on African American History. To learn more about Judge Quander, you can view his full biography by clicking on or copying and pasting the link below into your browser: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JYvfJtwsLa7Gy0DSdSL6ksmpltnGOmc3/view?usp=sharing
To register and join the webinar click on or copy and paste this link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2137827050096574990
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
To add the observance to your calendar click on this link:
https://calendar.google.com
This event is open to all NOAA employees and affiliates. All employees should obtain supervisory approval prior to attending. Sign language interpreter will be provided. The program is co-sponsored by NOAA's African American Employee Resource Group (https://sites.google.com/noaa.gov/oicr-erg-african-american/home), NOAA Chapter Blacks In Government (http://noaabig.org/), and the Line Offices' EEO and Diversity Program Directors/Managers.
For more information about the program, contact Salim C. Abddeen at salim.abddeen@noaa.gov.
The NOAA Rotational Assignment Program (NRAP) is getting an upgrade and a facelift! Renamed as L·A·N·T·E·R·N (Leveraging Abilities, Needs, Talents, Energies & Resources Network), this career development program promotes employee growth, networking, and collaboration. This new program replaces and enhances NRAP. Please contact LCDR Claire Surrey-Marsden at claire.surrey-marsden@noaa.gov, if you have any other questions regarding the LANTERN program or the transition.
Who: L·A·N·T·E·R·N - Leveraging Abilities, Needs, Talents, Energies and Resources Network
L·A·N·T·E·R·N is a professional development program to promote employee growth, networking and collaboration.
Goals:
What: The NOAA Rotational Assignment Program (NRAP) is getting a facelift. NOAA's Office of Human Capital Services, Performance Culture and Learning Branch Chief has been working tirelessly to create a more dynamic interface to submit and apply to short-term assignments across all NOAA line and staff offices
When: On February 16, 2021 NOAA's L·A·N·T·E·R·N will launch our new database.
Where: NOAA's L·A·N·T·E·R·N postings will be available on the L·A·N·T·E·R·N website. Users will have the option to filter their search by line office, subject matter, etc. Similar to USAJobs, all postings can be saved on your individual profile for later viewing.