Vaccination Update

This is a reminder that on or before September 01, 2021, all NOAA Corps officers must submit proof of COVID vaccination or proof of a waiver to CPC (email: director.cpc@noaa.gov). Officers not in compliance by September 01, 2021 will receive a letter of reproval and a special OER. Officers who do not have waivers or extensions and are not in compliance by October 01, 2021 will be recommended for an Officer Personnel Board. If you were granted an extension on this deadline via a waiver authorized by CPC, you must submit proof of vaccination by your new deadline or you will receive a letter of reproval and special OER. If you are still not compliant 30 days after your new deadline, you will be recommended for an Officer Personnel Board.

Hot Start for BOTC 138

BOTC 138 and OCS 1-22 utilize the shade on the Coast Guard Academy parade field during a midday drill training. Photo credit: MKCS Scott Dupre.

BOTC 138 is off and running. The class is wrapping up Indoctrination Week and moving into the Junior Phase of the program. Having spent the last week bouncing between close order drill practice and Basic Safety Training, the class is looking forward to a week of Leadership and Management classes followed by more Basic Safety Training. Off-base fire fighting training at the Rhode Island Fire Academy and Helicopter Underwater Evacuation Training at Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT will provide the class a well earned break from the NCOTC staff. On Tuesday August 3rd, BOTC 138 will be meeting their Flag Sponsors CAPT Cary (NOAA) and RADM Allan (USCG) for the first time.

BOTC 138 prepares for an inspection on an early Indoctrination morning.

BOTC 138 practices helm and throttle commands during simulator training at the United States Coast Guard Academy. Photo credit: CDR Christopher Skapin.

INVITATION: Change of Command Ceremony for NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson on August 06, 2021

You are cordially invited to attend the Change of Command Ceremony for NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson on August 06, 2021, at 1030.

Please follow the link below to view your invitation and reply:
Invitation and RSVP - NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson Change of Command - Friday, 06 August 2021, at 1030

The link for the live stream is below:
https://stream.lifesizecloud.com/extension
9926543/0340b10a-9ce7-4422-9804-c5ced2f90f1c

In person attendance will be highly limited. If you would like to attend the ceremony in person or require further information about the event please contact ENS Menniti at email address allegra.menniti@noaa.gov or by cell (412) 865-9997.

If you are unable to use the provided link for your invitation please copy and paste the following into your web browser: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=605036&k=046147097851
PLEASE NOTE that this is a safe U.S. Government secure website, and you can confidently proceed to the site.

Augmentation Opportunity: NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown

Augmenting OOD wanted for transit from beautiful San Diego CA to Sunny Miami Fl. Includes a fun filled and uplifting transit through the Panama Canal. Shelter in place dates run from August 5-August 11 in San Diego. Ship is scheduled to arrive in Miami on August 30th. Qualified OOD is required but RB specific experience is not. Contact xo.ronald.brown@noaa.gov

Update to Mask Wearing Policies

MEMORANDUM FOR: All NOAA Personnel FROM: Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Operations SUBJECT: Update to Mask Wearing Policies DATE: July 28, 2021   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance yesterday on Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. Consistent with that guidance, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has advised all Federal agencies that effective immediately, all Federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors will be required to wear a mask inside Federal facilities in areas of substantial or high COVID-19 community transmission regardless of vaccination status.  This directive applies to all NOAA facilities currently recommended for Phase 0 or Phase 1 status, regardless of the approved operating phase.  Prior guidance on masks still applies to Federal facilities in areas of moderate or low COVID-19 community transmission, which includes NOAA facilities recommended for Phase 2 status or above, regardless of the approved operating phase.   In the Nation Capital Region, in accordance with OMB guidance, the mask wearing requirement extends to all Federal locations regardless of COVID-19 community transmission rates for each individual county in the region.   NOAA will continue to provide updates as guidance evolves, and we encourage you to visit NOAA’s COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information for Employees site and NOAA’s OHCS Current Event: COVID-19 intranet site for the most up-to-date information.  We appreciate your efforts and thank you for following these steps to keep our workplaces and communities safe. ____________________________________________________________________________ Please do not reply to this message. The broadcast email account is not monitored for incoming mail.

 

Travel Advisory 21-5 Updated Travel Approval Process

Based on recent travel guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dated June 10, 2021, and the updated travel FAQs provided by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, the Department of Commerce has relaxed its current travel restrictions. Previously, only mission critical travel was approved by NOAA’s Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary for Operations using a 'NOAA Travel Justification Checklist'.

Effective at Beginning of Business (EDT) on Friday, 7/30/2021, all travel approval will revert back to the authorizing official responsible for approving such travel in E2; travel will no longer require approval from the Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary for Operations. Pursuant to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-21-15, all employees traveling on official business should adhere strictly to the CDC guidance for domestic and international travel before, during and after travel.

Pursuant to guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce and the Department of Commerce: Employees who are fully vaccinated may be authorized to travel without any additional “mission critical” determination or approvals beyond standard travel practices. Supervisors should confirm employees’ vaccination status, which may include verifying via visual confirmation of vaccination documentation. Employees who are not fully vaccinated or decline to confirm vaccination status to their supervisor may only be authorized to perform “mission critical” official travel. Such employees are required to verify their travel is mission critical with their supervisor. For all travel, regardless of an employee’s vaccination status, travel authorizing officials, after confirmation from a traveler’s supervisor, will ensure a notation of, “As [Employee Name]’s supervisor, I affirm that the employee is permitted to be placed on travel orders in accordance with Departmental policy,” is included in the Remarks section of all travel authorizations in E2.

For questions on how to process travel in E2, please contact Client Services: E-Mail: ClientServices@noaa.gov or phone: (301) 444-3400, select Option 2 for Travel assistance.

For policy questions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for NOAA Travel Advisory 21-5.

Aviation Advisory Board - Initial Flight

The NOAA Corps will be selecting officers from the fleet who are interested in transitioning to aviation. An Aviation Advisory Board will convene in December 2021 to recommend selected officers for initial flight training. Start dates for flight training will be determined based on the needs of the service and rotation dates of the officers selected. Previous flight experience is not required for this opportunity; however, it is highly encouraged and will help applicants determine if aviation is a desirable career path. Time in Service will not be limited for the purpose of this candidate selection; however, it may be a factor that is weighed in the board's decision.

Requirements for the NOAA Corps Aviation Selection Process:

• Complete all sections of NOAA Form 56-43 (Application for NOAA Corps Aviation Program).
• Complete a USCG Class I flight physical.
• Complete the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT).
• Complete the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS). This test must be taken after the AFOQT.
• Retrieve and include your Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) score in your application package. The PCSM score is a combination of the two tests above and your flight experience. If the AFOQT and TBAS tests were completed previously, a retake is not necessary.
• A recommendation for aviation selection must be included in Section 10 (Potential) of the applicant's Officer Evaluation Report (NOAA form 56-6A), or provide a written endorsement from your current supervisor.

Notify LCDR Joe Carrier (assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov) and CDR Rebecca Waddington (aoc.ChiefAdmin@noaa.gov) by COB, October 1, 2021, if you are interested in this opportunity. AOC will be responsible for conducting interviews for all applicants. Completed aviation application packages need to be submitted to assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov by COB, November 1, 2020.

For questions about NOAA aviation careers and the application process, contact CDR Rebecca Waddington (rebecca.waddington@noaa.gov) or (863) 500-3988. For questions specific to medical requirements and USCG Class I flight physicals, contact CDR Joe Newcomb, USPHS, (joseph.newcomb@noaa.gov), or (863) 500-3991. Officers are encouraged to schedule their flight physicals and contact CDR Newcomb early to identify and clear any potential roadblocks. Physicals must be conducted within twelve months of the application deadline.

Aviation Advisory Board - Heavy Aircraft

An Aviation Advisory Board (AAB) will convene in September 2021 to make recommendations for AOC's next G-IV pilot. This AAB will not have minimum Total Flight Time or Aircraft Commander experience requirements, however, these factors will be taken into consideration. Selections will be made for one G-IV pilot, who is expected to transition to the G-550 when the platform comes online. Additional G-IV/G-550 and P-3 pilot selections will be made in Spring 2022. Rank and time in service, while not limited, will also be factors in the selection process.

By COB, August 11, 2021, all interested officers should submit a one-page document to LCDR Joe Carrier 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 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 LCDR Joe Carrier at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov.

Important COVID-19 Questionnaire Coming Soon!

July 22, 2021 Dear Beneficiary, Within the next 30 days, a brief questionnaire with 1 to 3 questions will be emailed to beneficiaries who may not have received the COVID vaccine, according to Department of Defense (DoD) records. We ask that you please read the email and respond to the questionnaire within 3 days of receipt. The purpose of the questionnaire is to help DoD estimate how much of the vaccine to order in the future, and the information collected will help us to maintain a “Medically Ready Force.” This is an important DoD questionnaire and your participation is vital. The questionnaire will not request any personal or financial information. This questionnaire will help DoD understand: How many beneficiaries have received the vaccine from non-DoD vaccination sites How many vaccine doses beneficiaries have received Demand to receive the vaccine at DoD sites in the future Answering the questionnaire will not update your medical record. You are strongly encouraged to contact your Primary Care provider to update your medical records with information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination.  Please set aside a few minutes to complete this questionnaire. Your participation will support the entire DoD in improving the health and readiness of our fighting force and our families. Sincerely, Defense Health Agency Falls Church, Virginia For information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the TRICARE COVID-19 Vaccine Information page. Subscribe Now! TRICARE is sending this message to provide critical information on our COVID-19 operations and your vaccine options during the declared national emergency. We hope this information has been helpful. To continue to get TRICARE updates in the future, click on the subscribe button. Subscribe Here

American Forces Travel

An MWR joint service transformation initiative has resulted in the first official online vacation travel site, American Forces Travel℠, with Priceline® as the service provider. The site offers travel deals and benefits just for you! American Forces Travel℠ provides access to a wide selection of discounted rates on hotels, air fare, rental cars, vacation packages and much more!

All current active duty and retired NOAA Corps officers are eligible to use this site - safe travels!