NOAA Corps Officers -
This message will mark my last Cyberflash as Acting Director, CPC. CAPT Christiaan H. Van Westendorp reports next week and will assume the full responsibility of the position effective March 13, 2023. CAPT Van Westendorp has led an impressive career that started in the United States Navy before he transitioned to NOAA. He commanded NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson afloat and most recently served exceptionally as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Under Secretary for Operations. CAPT Van Westendorp has the full support of RADM Nancy L. Hann and myself and we are excited for him to assume this critical role.
I would like to also highlight that CAPT Van Westendorp is coming off of 25 days of annual leave. It was important to leadership that he receive this hearty break between assignments. I share this with all of you because I am worried we do not have a culture of taking time off when the opportunity presents to recharge our batteries. I hear a lot of stories about burnout and I also see reports of officers carrying very large leave balances. This does not apply to everyone as many of you out there are really good at balancing the challenges of the Service with much needed time off. Taking time between assignments is one example of a great time to take leave. It’s personally my favorite time to take leave because no one is contacting me. If I have set my replacement up for success they are not calling me and my next office does not yet have my phone number. You’re between decks - take advantage! You will always be asked to report to your next assignment as soon as you can. You will always be asked to start to participate on projects you will inherit, and for many of us these new beginnings are exciting and ignite our passion. I encourage you to stick up for yourself, set some boundaries, and take time off when the opportunity avails. This will help you take charge of your burnout and fatigue, as well as increase your performance. I’ve never carried a large leave balance and while there were times I worried it might adversely affect my career - the reality is that it did not. When your assignment ends no one will remember if you reported in one, two, or three weeks.
Another great tool for R&R is the 96 hour liberty RADM Nancy L. Hann recently authorized and was broadcast in the last Cyberflash. This applies to all NOAA Corps officers regardless of their current assignment. Consistent with the last message, the key to success of the 96 hour liberty program is effective communication with your Supervisor.
CAPT Van Westendorp's arrival is also timely, as sitting on his desk for consumption are recommendations for opportunities from the CPC Advisory Team and the NJAC Working Groups. I could not be more inspired and grateful for how much energy our teams are putting into our organization. While the work list is long, the opportunities are plentiful, and the future is bright for our Corps. Together we will continue to make progress.
Semper Serviens!
Warm Regards,
RDML Chad Cary, NOAA
Deputy Director for OMAO Operations
Deputy Director for the NOAA Corps
Acting Director, Commissioned Personnel Center
| 26 Mar - 15 Apr 2023 | REFTRA 94 |
| 05 Apr 2023 | Officer Assignment Board |
| LT Joshua Fredrick | 01 May 2023 |
| LTJG Jeffrey Calderon | 01 May 2023 |
| LTJG Iris Ekmanis | 15 May 2023 |
| CAPT Todd Bridgeman | 01 Jun 2023 |
| CAPT Timothy Gallagher | 01 Jun 2023 |
| CAPT Stephanie Koes | 01 Jun 2023 |
| CAPT Mark Van Waes | 01 Jun 2023 |
| LT Linda Junge | 01 Jun 2023 |
| LT Alexandria Andonian | 30 JUN 2023 |
| LT Jacquelyn Putnam | 01 JUL 2023 |
| LTJG Logan Dodson | 01 JUL 2023 |
| LT Christopher Dunn | 31 JUL 2023 |
 BOTC 141 OC Black, Ashley: Learning the basics and how to fly. Photo Credit: LT Maginn |
For the first time in history a BOTC class had the privilege of chasing the skies on NOAA's DeHavilland Twin Otter (DH-6). This plane is one of the most versatile and highly efficient aircrafts designed for low altitude missions, which now can include inspiring future aviators! LT Maginn and LCDR Pawlenko informed the class about the missions of NOAA’s Aircraft Operation Center (AOC) and fielded questions about life in the NOAA Corps as an aviator, as well as coming to aviation after time at sea. Every officer candidate had the opportunity to experience flying the aircraft. Thanks to LT Maginn, aircraft commander, and LCDR Pawlenko, co-pilot; CDR Abitbol; and all those at AOC for providing BOTC 141 with this opportunity.
Since our last update, the class has learned basic seamanship, compass and ATONS, and an introduction to navigation and ship stability.
Looking ahead to the coming weeks, BOTC 141 will be practicing their shiphandling on Coast Guard training vessels next week as well as anxiously awaiting billet night on March 15th.
 BOTC 141 with LCDR Pawlenko and LT Maginn Photo Credits: LTJG Lesser |
 BOTC 141 OC Almodovar in front of the Twin Otter before boarding. Photo Credit: OC Harris |
 BOTC 141. Photo Credits: OC Parks |
 Photo Credit: LCDR Andrew Reynaga |
CPC and AOC teamed up with the National Weather Service at the 2023 Women in Aviation Conference, held in Long Beach, CA. Despite unusually heavy rainfall, the event was wildly successful, catering to over 4,500 attendees over the course of three days from February 23-25. The NOAA team was phenomenal in their recruiting efforts, drawing interest from a wide variety of students, pilots, and aviation professionals. Bravo Zulu to CDR Rebecca Waddington, LCDR Priti Bhatnagar, LCDR Andrew Reynaga, LT Laura Rock, LTJG Emma Strong, ENS Sarah Cozart, Rebecca Keller, and Caroline Gardner for captivating the next generation of NOAA Corps Officers and NOAA employees.
 Photo Credits: LCDR Andrew Reynaga |
 Photo Credit: LCDR Andrew Reynaga |
 Photo Credits: LCDR Andrew Reynaga |
You’ve heard of IT help tickets. Now get ready for HR help Tickets!
Need action for your PCS? A correction to your payslip? Questions on how best to proceed or who to talk to within CPC? Instead of sending blind emails to CPC and awaiting a response, you will soon be able to use an "Open Action Request" link within your OPFOnline to generate a trackable help ticket.
This feature is for tracking questions and action requests only. This is not how to add or edit documents in your OPF.
Before this feature goes live, CPC is offering the following training webinar opportunities. Click the link below to add a session to your Google calendar. Please do not change the meeting details just click ‘Save’.
Monday, March 6th 1730 EST, 1630 CST, 1430 PST, 1230 HST
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/juw-vyks-qma
Or dial: (US) +1 563-538-1991 PIN: 963 884 218#
Monday, March 13th 1500 EST, 1400 CST, 1200 PST, 1000 HST
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ymj-rmhd-oip
Or dial: (US) +1 716-539-0663 PIN: 285 711 066#
In celebration of the 2023 Women's History Month theme "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," the Women of NOAA Employee Resource Group and the NOAA Regional Collaboration Network invite you to join a special panel discussion featuring women in the NOAA Corps.
Please register here for the panel discussion on
March 16 at 4pm ET/ 1pm PT / 10am HST
Before the panel discussion, we welcome you to watch the 2018 film
Women of NOAA Corps: Reflections from the Sky and Sea.
The panel discussion will feature several NOAA Corps officers who appeared in the film, and others, including:
We’ll discuss the film, the panelist’s journeys to and within NOAA, career challenges, professional accomplishments, and hear advice to women considering NOAA Corps careers.
NOAA staff and the general public are welcome to attend -- please distribute this announcement widely!
Yes, It is that time again and the Tax Season is upon us. As you begin your filing preparations and document collection, one of those documents is your 2022 W-2. In order to access your 2022 W-2, log into Direct Access. After logging in, go to the homepage, SELF SERVICE, EMPLOYEE, and then click VIEW. Select VIEW END OF YEAR FORMS (lower right) and then consent to view electronically. The W2 link will appear and you may view it and/or print it. Please direct any questions to the NOAA Corps Payroll Unit at noaacorps.payrollunit@noaa.gov.
The NOAA Corps Junior Officer Advisory Committee (NJAC) is continuing its webinar series. 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.
RADM Hann and the Resource Management Division will go over the OMAO budget and explain how it has changed in the past few years. This will expose officers to the budgeting process and what goes into funding OMAO. You will learn about the annual budget cycle and its journey from OMAO through NOAA to DOC and then to Congress. This webinar will also include a look into how the future years are planned.
Mark Your Calendars
The NOAA Corps Junior Officer Advisory Committee (NJAC) Executive Board is looking for one junior officer (O1-O3) to serve as one of two NJAC Liaisons to CPC. All eligible officers are encouraged to apply regardless of duty station. The two NJAC Liaisons will meet virtually once a month with the CPC Director to discuss NJAC business. The NJAC CPC Liaison position is a 2.5-hour commitment per month (1.5 hour NJAC meeting, 30 minute CPC Director meeting, and 30 minutes of meeting preparation) and will need supervisory approval. This opportunity will allow you to show your dedication to the Service, engage in important conversations with Senior Leadership, and be the change you want to see in the NOAA Corps! Please email the NJAC Executive Board at njac.execboard@noaa.gov by March 17, 2023 if interested or for more information. A short paragraph statement of interest may also be included.
The Executive Committee of National ACO Scholarships, Inc. has issued its annual call to high school seniors and college undergrads for applications for scholarship awards for the 2023/2024 academic year. The two-page application form is available on the “Resources” page of the NOAA Officer Family Association website (www.nofaweb.org), under the heading “National ACO Scholarships, Inc.”. Application forms may also be obtained by contacting Secretary/Treasurer Captain Dave Peterson, NOAA (Ret), by phone (301-233-8090) or email (kmpdhp@comcast.net). Completed application packages should be sent to the corporation’s post office address (on the application form) and should be postmarked no later than Friday, April 21, 2023.
In addition, the ACO Scholarship team is looking for a new volunteer to support the scholarship process. This role has been generously filled by CAPT (Ret) Dave Peterson since 2003 (wow!) and he is ready to pass the baton. CAPT (Ret) Peterson has offered to stay on for another cycle to help train his replacement and I’m also willing to bet there is some delicious food somewhere in the mix as Dave is well known for his skills in the kitchen. The scholarship also recently received a generous donation from one of our retired officers which makes the offering even more exciting in 2023 as the ACO works to support America’s future leaders. Please reach out to CAPT(Ret) Peterson directly if you are interested (kmpdhp@comcast.net)
The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) located in Honolulu, HI is looking for a motivated officer (O-3) who is ready to take a leading role to support marine research in the Pacific. This billet affords the officer with the opportunity to develop LCDR competencies through supervising, leadership, and project management responsibilities. As the Science Operations Manager, you work under the Science Operations Division (SOD) in support of three research divisions at PIFSC: the Ecosystem Science Division, Fisheries Resource Management Division, and the Protected Species Division. All three play a huge role in studying, protecting, and preserving the oceans and marine life throughout the entire Pacific Island region.
This is a dynamic billet that will mold to the needs of the center and the officer. Some responsibilities include but are not limited to:
If you are interested please contact kristin.m.sojka@noaa.gov or the Officer Assignment Branch at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov to learn more.
The Commissioned Personnel Center’s Officer Personnel Management Division(OPMD) is seeking an O2 or an O3 to join our team in the fall/winter of 2023. OPMD is the focal point within CPC, providing human resource services to officers who are currently on active-duty, retired and or their families. This is an exciting time at CPC as we begin to grow the NOAA Corps and implement the Reauthorization Act. With all the new changes on the horizon, OPMD is situated to be at the forefront of execution and implementation. The work this officer does directly affects the quality of life of every NOAA Corps officer and impacts the careers of each member from Basic Officer Training and through retirement.
The officer assigned can expect a restructured billet and the opportunity to work alongside new civilian federal employees. The incumbent will gain insight into the processes that drive promotions, awards, records, transfers, appointments, benefits, retirements, personnel actions, and entitlements. An investment in CPC is an investment in your professional development, the organization, and is a guaranteed opportunity to lead within our organization.
The billet is located in Silver Spring, MD and is expected to be available this fall. If interested, contact LCDR Steve Moulton at stephen.f.moulton@noaa.gov or the Officer Assignment Branch at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov to learn more.