BOTC 140 Graduation and Capstone Cruise

BOTC 140 graduated with their Coast Guard OCS classmates on November 18^th. They are currently underway on NOAA Ship Pisces for their Capstone cruise. Following the cruise in the Gulf of Mexico, the class has one last week of Bridge Resource Management training before heading to their first sea assignments December 9^th.

Congratulations to the following Officer Candidates on their awards for excellent performance during the program.

BOTC 140 Mentorship Program

O2s and O3s who have served with the following units as their first assignment:

We are looking for volunteers to serve as mentors paired with a BOTC 140 mentee to share your experience and organizational knowledge. If you are interested please complete the following google form by next Friday, December 9th.

BOTC 140 Mentor Volunteer Form

The BOTC Mentorship Program is separate from wider OMAO/NOAA Mentorship Programs in that it focuses on the common questions, preparations, and challenges faced during first assignments.

If you have any questions about the program please contact LT Diane Perry at cpc.training@noaa.gov

Are Officers Permitted to Live Aboard a NOAA Ship While not on Duty?

For officers without dependents, the answer is simple. Those who have not refused quarters and are therefore not receiving a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), may reside on the ship at all times, whether in homeport or not. Those who refuse quarters and receive a BAH are not permitted to reside on the ship while in homeport. Staying on the ship while not in homeport is always authorized.

Officers with dependents who reside in the ship's homeport are not permitted to live aboard while in homeport but may reside on the ship in a location other than homeport.

If dependent(s) are living in a "designated location"* and the officer is receiving BAH based on the location of dependent(s), officers may stay aboard while the ship is in or away from homeport.

Officers who choose to have their dependents live in an "undesignated location"** and are receiving BAH based on the homeport, are not authorized to reside on the ship while it is in homeport. While away from homeport, staying aboard is authorized.

Officers may stay aboard the ship in port regardless of location if ordered to perform duties associated with the safety and security of the ship, such as duty as OOD In Port.

* A "designated location" is an authorized location for dependents. This includes dependents residing at the permanent duty station or another location authorized on PCS orders due to the unusually arduous status of a ship or a BAH waiver.
**An "undesignated location" is where dependents reside, anywhere other than a permanent duty station, while the officer continues to receive BAH at the permanent duty station.

Calendar Year 2023 Unusually Arduous Ships

NOAA Corps Amendment Act

Holiday 96-Hour Liberty Schedule

RADM Hann approved a formal schedule for 96-hour liberty in conjunction with the remaining Federal Holidays this calendar year. OMAO wide, she authorized units to provide Liberty to NOAA Corps and Public Health Officers and to utilize liberal leave approval for civilian employees for the four days adjacent to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The direction also provides for alternate use of the 96-hour liberty for those required to stand watch or serve other duties over the holiday period.

“The work you do is incredibly important to our mission, and your personal sacrifices do not go unnoticed by Leadership. Thank you for all you do and enjoy the time off! You’ve earned it!”
- RADM Nancy Hann

As a reminder, liberty cannot be combined with annual leave nor is alternate use authorized for those already planning leave during this period that expand beyond the 96 hours. Check out NOAA Corps Directive Chapter Six for additional information.

We have received some questions from the officers working outside of OMAO regarding whether or not this is applicable. In all cases, whether you are working within OMAO or for another Line Office, your current supervisor is the approving authority for your Leave or Liberty. Please work with them directly to establish how you can take advantage of these 96 hr liberty periods. If there are any questions or concerns, route them through your NC Line Office Liaison as needed.

Direct Access Outage

The USCG Pay System, Direct Access, will shut down temporarily at the end of this calendar year for updates. Beginning December 20, 2022, there will be no system access so pay actions received during this period will not be processed until the system is restored on January 4, 2023. NOAA Corps officers will not have access to view or make changes to their pay account during this time.

From the Assignments Desk: Billet #6010, National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Climate Services Liaison Officer.

NESDIS/NCEI is looking for a dynamic motivated officer to take on the inaugural duties of the newly designed billet, “NCEI Climate Services Liaison Officer.” The officer will be at the forefront of climate science, engaged with the premier science and services center in NOAA for climate science applications, data management, assessment, and stakeholder engagement. This billet provides an exciting opportunity for an officer to work at the leading edge of Climate Services by helping to provide data, tools, and information that helps organizations, decision makers, and the general public address and mitigate the effects of climate variability and change. Located in the recognized climate hub of Asheville, NC, the position is ideal for establishing a career trajectory that emphasizes environmental science engagement.

Additionally, this officer will have the opportunity to gain experience with NOAA's COOP plan and operations (as Asheville is NOAA's devolution site and NCEI takes point in this effort during drills and emergencies), as well as gain exposure to and engage with the USAF 4th Weather Squadron co-located in the Veach-Baley Federal Complex in Asheville.

This assignment is currently vacant. Officers interested in this assignment should review the billet description and update their assignment preferences. Additionally, you can contact Jeff Privette, Deputy Division Chief, NCEI/CSSD at Jeff.Privette@noaa.gov or 828-271-4091, or the NESDIS Liaison Officer, Captain Todd A. Bridgeman at todd.a.bridgeman@noaa.gov or 202-819-2501.