Good afternoon, fellow NOAA Corps officers,
I hope this Cyberflash finds you well. The past few weeks, between the significant spike in COVID-19 cases and the unsettling images and events coming out of Afghanistan, are certainly taking a toll on the mental health of not just our shipmates and aircrew but of our Nation. These events, along will everything else we have going on around us can definitely wear us down if we're not fully equipped to handle it. A USCG Family Resource Specialist that I work with captured it perfectly when we wrote:
"Being ready to face whatever the mission requires, being a good shipmate, being a good friend and being a good parent means that we’re mentally ready to face the challenges that each and every day will bring. If you need to talk to someone; if you need to reach out – please do! The people in your life need you, and occasionally we need a little extra support ourselves."
He shared the following resources that I would like to share with you all as well:
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/Coronavirus-Building-Mental-Health-Resilience
Our kids are facing challenges like never before with the start of a new school year, and the continuing COVID responses; here is a resource that can assist you when helping your kids cope:
https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/become-a-counselor/resources/ultimate-guide-to-mental-health-and-education-resources/
Also see: https://www.psycom.net/build-resilience-children
Please continue to take care of yourselves and others. And thank you for your service.
Stay healthy,
CAPT Douglas MacIntyre, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center
| 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 poses for a picture upon completion of their Basic Firefighting field exercises. |
BOTC 138 has completed their 6th week of training at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. The class recently finished extensive classroom work in basic navigation, as well as compass and aids to navigation. In addition to their continued classroom curriculum, BOTC 138 attended damage control training at the USS Buttercup Trainer at Naval Station Newport in Newport, RI and spent an afternoon at the United States Maritime Resource Center learning basic shiphandling commands in the simulators that they will be using many times in the remaining weeks of the program. With just two weeks until a two week training cruise aboard the USCGC Eagle, with a port call in Norfolk, VA, the students will spend another day at the Rhode Island Fire Academy and begin coursework in electronic navigation. Just over the horizon looms Billet Night on September 29th.
 Members of BOTC 138 and USCG OCS 1-22 attempt to repair a cracked pipe aboard the USS Buttercup damage control trainer at NAVSTA Newport. Picture credit- CDR Chris Skapin |
 Members of BOTC 138 practice CPR on a test dummy during basic safety training. |