Good afternoon, fellow NOAA Corps officers,
Today's message from the Director will actually be from the Director, Office of Coast Survey (OCS), RDML Ben Evans. While he wrote the below message for OCS, his message rings true for all of us and I find solace in his words.
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Greetings, Coast Survey,
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the untimely and tragic death of my predecessor, RDML Rick Brennan. I know this memory is still very raw for many of you, as it is for me. I hear his voice and see his imprint in so much of what we do. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish for the opportunity to ask his advice, "violently agree" about his latest idea, or just share a funny story. I miss his wisdom, energy, and good humor dearly, and I know that many of you do as well.
Rick dedicated his adult life to his family, Coast Survey, and the hydrographic community as a whole. For those who did not know Rick or would simply like to remember him better, I recommend reading the OCS blog posted last year commemorating his life and career. If you are like me, you will be awed, humbled, and inspired all over again.
I encourage you all to take time today to reflect on the Admiral Brennan's life and career, and the example he set for us as an innovator, leader, mentor, and public servant. Those who are able may wish to consider donating blood or performing another act of service in Rick's honor. Check in on a junior colleague or a friend, concoct an inventive scheme to advance NOAA's mission, share a sea story, make intentional time for your family - these are all things Rick would honor and encourage. Lastly, I ask that you keep Rick's wife Tracey and their sons in your thoughts.
V/r,
Ben
Stay healthy,
CAPT Douglas MacIntyre, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center
| 26 Jul 2022 | BOTC 140 begins |
| LCDR Lindsey Norman | 18 May 2022 |
| LTJG Anna Hallingstad | 01 Jun 2022 |
| LCDR Rebecca Shaw | 14 Jul 2022 |
| LT Alyssa Thompson | 31 Aug 2022 |
| CDR Patrick Didier | 01 Sep 2022 |
Commander Michael Mallette, NOAA (Ret.), passed away on April 28, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. CDR Mallette was commissioned into the NOAA Corps on July 18, 1978, a member of BOTC 62 in Kings Point, New York. CDR Mallette served on several ships during his career, including the NOAA Ships David Starr Jordan, McArthur and Townsend Cromwell. He also served as both OOD and XO on the NOAA Ship Discoverer. CDR Mallette’s shore assignments included Oceanographic Project Leader and Staff Officer at the Pacific Marine Center in Seattle and Recruiting Officer and Chief of the Recruiting Unit here in CPC. Prior to his retirement in September 1999, CDR Mallette served as the Program Manager Federal Fish Permits for the NMFS. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Beverly Mallette and his children, Elan and Matisse.
BOTC 139 and their USCG OCS 2-22 shipmates graduate today, May 13th after 17 weeks of dedication and hard work. The last few weeks have been busy for the class with leadership philosophy panels, shiphandling class, and underway trainings aboard various platforms such as NOAA's NRT New London vessel, USCG Academy 65' training boats, and Project Oceanology's 65' research vessel. Next up for BOTC 139 is a few more weeks of training in ECDIS and Bridge Resource Management at the United States Maritime Resource Center in Middletown, RI. They will also be getting underway on a 4 day training cruise aboard the NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow, the first BOTC cruise since 2019. On June 3rd, the 13 members of BOTC 139 will finally head off to the fleet to begin their NOAA Corps careers.
As recognition to April’s Month of the Military Child and May’s Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) has included gun safe transportation. The transportation of empty gun safes, totaling up to 500 pounds, in addition to a Service member’s prescribed Household Goods (HHG) weight allowance, not to exceed 18,000 pounds, as authorized in 37 U.S.C. §453(c)(3). This item does not change the authority an administering Secretary may exercise, on a case-by-case basis, to authorize additional weight allowances as necessary. Officers must declare and document that they are transporting an emptied gun safe prior to the move or it will not be subtracted from the HHG weight. Also as a reminder, even though the gun safe is subtracted from the HHG weight, the total weight of a HHG move cannot exceed 18000 pounds.
This information is documented in the JTR in Chapter 5 under 051304 Paragraph C. Any questions can be directed to Jerrard Baker at jerrard.baker@noaa.gov
One of the key benefits you should be aware of while in the NOAA Corps is our access to the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) Insurance Services. I hope this is not the first time you are hearing about your Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Family Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) but know that those programs are continually being updated and revised to provide better service and coverage for you and your family. Here is an incredibly helpful link to their website, Life Insurance Home (va.gov), as well as a general announcement about the new Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) - Life Insurance. While CPC does not provide financial planning advice, we encourage everyone to review their own respective life insurance requirements and read up on these exciting changes to their programs.
VA Life Insurance PDF attachments:
Starting in June, you’ll be able to download and use the official TSP Mobile App for on-the-go access to your TSP account. With the TSP Mobile App, you’ll be able to do just about everything you can do when you sign in through the TSP website:
When the TSP Mobile App is available for download, we’ll post links on our website so you can be confident that you’re using the official one from the TSP.
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