Good afternoon, fellow NOAA Corps officers,
The past few weeks have certainly brought the spotlight back on the COVID-19 pandemic; it is far from over. Not that anyone, yet again, sheltering-in-place before a deployment or taking the ummteenth COVID-19 nasal swab test could ever forget - but stand tall, take a breath, and know that we are all in this together. The CDC continues to make science-based decisions regarding health guidance and I encourage everyone to abide by their recommendations and follow all local, state, and federal guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing - and encourage those you know who have not received a vaccine to go get one (the CDC still recommends any of the three current vaccines without preference). We have seen some recent studies regarding obtaining the vaccine while pregnant and even hints that the administration of a third shot for those with underlying medical conditions may be warranted (still not finalized). Be sure to keep an eye on the news and read the messages from our Agency leaders as there is a lot of important information that adjusts to the changes in current conditions surrounding the pandemic and our knowledge of the virus.
News is also spreading about NOAA's COVID-19 Reintegration Plan and Dr. Spinrad sent out the most current guidance earlier this week. I would like to point out that he used specific language to stress that this information sets up the framework, or the plan in which to deviate from, as we move into the fall and coming winter. Pay attention to the words like earliest or on or about and don't make rushed decisions. Keep a positive attitude while we walk down "our path forward toward the new normal" and be sure to take care of yourself and your shipmates.
Stay healthy,
CAPT Douglas MacIntyre, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center
| 26 Aug 2021 | Aviation Advisory Board (G-IV) |
| 14 Sep 2021 | Command Advisory Board (CO/XO) |
| Early Dec 2021 | Aviation Advisory Board (Initial Flight) |
| LTJG Ololade Ajilore | 27 Aug 2021 |
| LT Sarah Donohoe | 31 Aug 2021 |
| LT Danial Palance | 20 Sep 2021 |
| LT Kristin Raja | 31 Oct 2021 |
| CAPT Anne Lynch | 01 Dec 2021 |
| CAPT Catherine Martin | 01 Dec 2021 |
BOTC 138 continues to progress as they move further into the program. Last week, the class completed five days of classroom training in Leadership and Management taught by the USCG's Leadership Development Center. Following the week of classroom instruction, the class was able to get out off base this week for training at the Rhode Island Fire Academy as well as Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT for survival at sea and helicopter underwater egress training. BOTC 138 will return to the classroom next week to continue Basic Seamanship and begin Compass and Aids to Navigation and Navigation 1.
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| BOTC 138 practices survival at sea tactics at Survival Systems Inc. in Groton, CT. | ||
NJAC Webinar Series
The NOAA Corps Junior Officer Advisory Committee (NJAC) is continuing its successful webinar series that was started in 2020. Each quarter the NJAC will be hosting a webinar focused on issues directly related to junior officers or other topical subjects. Topics in the past have ranged from awards and promotion processes to aviation applications to NOAA Corps medical standards. If you have any questions about this upcoming webinar or have suggestions for future webinars please direct all comments to njac.execboard@noaa.gov.
Federal Budget 101
Budget Resolutions, Reconciliations, and more are being discussed in the news right now. Are you interested in learning more about the Federal Budget process and the interplay between OMAO/NOAA and Congress? Or how NOAA's different line offices are funded? Where does the money for OMAO's new ships and aircrafts come from? This webinar will cover background information on how Congress decides where and how to spend Federal funds, as well as how they approve or change existing budget requests. In addition, it will provide NOAA specifics on how line office priorities shape our budget requests and result in the final product you see each new fiscal year. Questions are being solicited in advance to tailor the presentation to specific topics.
Mark Your Calendars
What: NJAC Webinar Series - NOAA/OMAO Budget 101
When: Thursday, August 19 @ 1330-1430 ET (1030-1130 PT)
Who: Targeted to all NOAA Corps Officers or OMAO Employees interested in learning more about Budget at the Federal/NOAA/OMAO levels
Meeting Details:
Web: https://call.lifesizecloud.com/6224861
Phone: +1 (877) 422-8614 | Meeting extension: 6224861#
Augmenting opportunity available for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Hawaiian Monk Seal and Marine Turtle Field Camp Recovery in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Shelter in place dates are August 26-September 1 in Honolulu, HI. The ship will return to the island of Oahu on September 30th. Qualified OOD is required. T-AGOS experience is preferred, but not required. Interested officers should contact LCDR Jared Halonen at xo.sette@noaa.gov.
The past 18 months has taken its toll on all of us, and we want to ensure that all of our officers have open access to mental health resources as they need them. If you or an officer under your command has identified as having mental health concerns please know that there are resources available.
The primary resource is for all of NOAA, officers included, is:
CDR Kenneth J. “KJ” Green, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Director, Behavioral Health & Wellness.
Please call or email him by way of the following.
cell: 571-241-0349 (call or text)
email: kenneth.green@noaa.gov
CDR Green provides connections to care, and brief therapeutic interventions when necessary for crisis. Please know that he does not communicate directly with the readiness team in Medical Affairs without your knowledge, and only in very rare situations does he need to communicate concerns up the chain.
Another option is to communicate with LCDR MacGregor in Medical Affairs, who will also connect you to care, and to CDR Green, if appropriate and determine whether or not individual readiness needs to be adjusted accordingly.
LCDR Helen MacGregor, Nurse Practitioner in Medical Affairs.
cell: 202-657-8416 (call or text)
email: helen.macgregor@noaa.gov
Medical Affairs and Behavioral Health have the same priority, you and your safety, but Medical Affairs applies a slightly broader consideration of the safety of the mission, your future safety, and any adjustments needed to your duty status. We want to be open, and transparent about this distinction.
Additional resources are:
* NOAA EAP: 1-800-222-0364
* National Crisis Text Line: 741-741
* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
* Insurance-covered BH services (call CDR Green or LCDR MacGregor for connections)
* Self-pay BH services
Please also see the updated COVID resource link from the Office of Health Services for Mental Health resources specifically.
The CAB is scheduled on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 to make recommendations for Commanding Officer and Executive Officer assignments. Any officer within 2 years 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 LCDR Joe Carrier at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov or by phone at 301-713-7694.
The OAR Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) is seeking an officer to fill the American Samoa/South Pole Billet with a January 2023 start date. GML operates four remote Atmospheric Baseline Observatories strategically positioned around the globe. The long-term datasets collected at these observatories track atmospheric constituents that drive climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and baseline air quality.
The officer selected for this billet trains in Colorado for several months before spending one year in American Samoa running NOAA's atmospheric monitoring instruments, managing the observatory facilities, and completing administrative tasking necessary to operate the station. Officers then spend one year at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica running a similar suite of instruments at NOAA’s South Pole Observatory, coordinating shipping logistics, and assisting with other station duties.
This billet provides independent, self-starting, adventurous individuals with the opportunity to live in the tropical South Pacific, experience six months of light and six months of darkness in Antarctica, and earn the Chief of Party Pin, International Service Ribbon, and Antarctic Service Medal – all within one billet.
Interested officers should update their billet preferences and send their biographies and resumes to Christy Smith at christine.smith@noaa.gov by September 15, 2021. Interviews will be held in late September and early October 2021. Recommendations will be made to the Assignment Board in November 2021.
Are you looking for a rewarding, highly visible, fast paced land assignment shaping the future of the NOAA Corps? If so, you should consider the Executive Officer assignment at NOAA Corps Officer Training Center (NCOTC) located at USCG Academy in New London, CT.
CPC Billet #0507 – Executive Officer, NOAA Corps Officer Training Center; New London, CT is an O-3 billet with CPC at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. This billet puts you at the forefront of the NOAA Corps officer training and development program. You will be responsible for instilling the NOAA Corps core values of HONOR, RESPECT and COMMITMENT into the new accessions of the NOAA Corps as a platoon officer. You will direct, coach and mentor both NOAA Corps and Coast Guard officer candidates. You will be working alongside Coast Guard Officer Candidate School staff officers in an integrated training environment. The opportunity to train new BOTC and CG OCS students in the barracks, classroom and during underway periods will also be charged to you. You will work closely with the Commanding Officer, NCOTC with regards to budgeting, purchasing, scheduling, curriculum development and alternative training opportunities. This is a challenging and highly visible billet and you will be acting as ambassador for the NOAA Corps at the Coast Guard’s service academy. Opportunities also exist to gain USCG Instructor and Master Training Specialist qualifications as well as underway qualifications on USCGA T-boats and USCGC Eagle.
The XO, NCOTC billet is a tremendous opportunity for a high performing NOAA Corps officer. If you are interested in learning more about this assignment please contact the XO, NCOTC, LT Michael Ball at 508-633-9137 or michael.j.ball@noaa.gov.