BOTC 141 Updates

OC Harris simulates a line under tension for classmates to practice tying cleat hitches without letting out slack. Photo Credit: OC Black, A

BOTC 141 has been busier than ever as they pass the halfway mark. The class reached Senior Status on Monday, meaning the program will shift further into their hands as they develop into leaders. 141 has been expanding their knowledge of shiphandling and linehandling, and they were able to meet with CB Leslie Allen. BOSN Allen discussed many topics regarding the workplace culture on NOAA ships, how to foster productive work relationships with the crew, and the qualities she's observed that make a successful ensign. This was a rewarding and enlightening experience for BOTC as they asked questions and learned more about life in the fleet.

Aside from meeting CB Allen, BOTC started T-Boats training last week. They are practicing conning, MOB recoveries, and learning how various forces affect a vessel's movement.

Next week, BOTC will focus their studies on Rules of the Road (ROTR). After the ROTR exam on March 27, BOTC will continue to prepare for their upcoming journey on The Eagle, departing on April 8th for the Azores. This trip will allow the class to put into action everything they have learned throughout the program so far.

OC Foster and Almodovar practice linehandling to dock Training Vessel Honor. Photo Credits: OC Rivera

OCs observing LT Kosten's demonstration of spring lines. Photo Credit: OC Rivera

CB Allen with BOTC 141. Photo Credits: LTJG Lesser

BOTC 141 Billet Night

Congratulations to the following officer candidates on their assignments! And thank you to RDML Cary for his support and impactful words to the class on this significant step in their journey to becoming officers in the fleet.

RDML Cary, CDR Skapin and LTJG Lesser with BOTC 141

Action Request Webinars Continued.

CPC is hosting two more webinars to orient officers on how to submit requests for action to CPC. Once it is launched, this new ticketing system will be the primary avenue for submitting questions or action requests to CPC.

PCS, Payroll, or OER questions (just to name a few)? The Action Request ticketing system will now be the one stop shop to request and track action on your needs within CPC and our divisions! Tickets will allow you to track the status of a question or action item as it goes from the division inbox to an assigned individual which will improve visibility and accountability. Please plan to attend one of the following webinars to ensure you are ready to use the new system.

Thursday, March 23: 1530 EDT, 1430 CDT, 1230 PDT, 0930 HDT
Google Meet joining info
Video call link:https://meet.google.com/zbf-mgwu-sev
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 216-839-9506‬ PIN: ‪549 509 827‬#

Friday, March 24: 1500 EDT, 1400 CDT, 1200 PDT, 0900 HDT
Google Meet joining info
Video call link:https://meet.google.com/zbf-mgwu-sev
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 216-839-9506‬ PIN: ‪549 509 827‬#

Only one embroidered qualification for ODUs

Manner of Wear

To clear up confusion through the ranks: the Embroidered qualification insignia is centered above the left breast pocket, directly above the NOAA CORPS tape, and only one embroidered qualification insignia is authorized for wear at a time.

Secondary insignia are not authorized for wear on working uniforms.
(NOAA Corps Directive's Ch. 12: Part 6 - Insignia, Medals, and Ribbon Bars - Embroidered qualification insignia)

ATTENTION RETIREES - Help Needed!

The ACO Scholarship team is STILL 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)

Spousal Professional License Reimbursement

The spouses of NOAA Corps officers often have a difficult time continuing their professional careers when Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders require a move to another jurisdiction where licensing/certification requirements are different. CPC is excited to announce that we have a new Spousal Professional License Reimbursement program.

Spouses of NOAA Corps officers who plan to effect or have effected a recent PCS may be entitled to this reimbursement. This reimbursement is applicable for relicensing for the same profession in which the spouse engaged in while in the jurisdiction of the last duty station and is a one-time reimbursement that may not exceed $1000. Qualified relicensing costs must be included and paid by the officer or spouse to secure the license or certification from the jurisdiction of the new duty station, or designated location for dependent(s), after the date the officer's PCS orders are authorized. Qualified relicensing costs may include an exam, continuing education courses, and/or registration fees to obtain a new license or certification in the new jurisdiction.

Conditions of Reimbursement:

• PCS orders must be effected on or after November 10, 2022, and must authorize the movement of the officer's dependent(s) at Government expense.
• Reimbursement is authorized for the spouses of officers that complete Inter-Service Transfers into the NOAA Corps.
• Reimbursement is not authorized for spouses of officers that are in receipt of PCS orders in conjunction with initial accession to uniformed service, retirement, or separation from the NOAA Corps.

To apply for reimbursement please contact your HR specialist.

• Claim for Reimbursement for Expenditures (1164 available here)
• Copy of PCS orders
• Copy of new license or certification
• Copy of previous state license or certification
• Copy of receipt for fees

Please direct any questions to Katherine Raymond at katherine.raymond@noaa.gov

NDAA Provision – Airfare Reimbursement from an Alaska PDS

The FY23 NDAA authorized a new allowance for those officers with a permanent duty station of Alaska. The entitlement allows a onetime reimbursement of airfare to an officer who travels back to their home of record on approved leave during the assignment. The allowance will be effective for NOAA Corps officers once updated in the JTR, which we expect will be released at the end of this month. The NDAA only authorized this entitlement for the Armed Forces so we have initiated a request to make it applicable to NOAA Corps officers and expect that change to be incorporated when released. Since this is a taxable and reimbursable allowance, E2 will not be utilized for flight reservations and it is unlikely an OF-1164 will be used. We're working with USCG to determine the appropriate method of reimbursement. In the meantime, please continue to reach out to your HR Specialist with questions about this allowance.

NOAA Corps Recruiting Video

The Recruiting Branch is working with Public Affairs on preliminary planning for a new recruiting video. Our current video has served us well for many years but it's time for a refresh. Before we proceed with planning, we'd like to hear from YOU. If you have ever thought to yourself, "I wish our video showed less and more ," now is your chance. Take a minute and fill out this very simple New NOAA Corps Video Content google form. We will be happy to bring your ideas to the table. Please provide input by next Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Recruiting Spotlight

Spring 2023 has been a big season for career fairs. Officers across the nation are chipping in to support recruiting efforts. 36 Distinct career fairs (some with multiple days outreach) have already been completed this calendar year, totaling 62 since the start of FY23. A big thank you to all who continue to set time aside from busy schedules to support outreach efforts.

This week, we highlight NOAA Ship Oregon II. Oregon II hosted Tuskegee University Ocean Exploration students. LT Melissa Trede and ENS Justin Weeks welcomed students aboard to provide a real glimpse into shipboard operations and life at sea. LT Michael Fuller followed up by attending a networking dinner with the students in Biloxi where he discussed our career opportunities and life as a NOAA Corps officer. This outreach event, the product of a partnership between Tuskegee University and the University of Southern Mississippi, was a real team effort and great success. Plans are already in motion for upcoming ship visits and, of course, more career fairs. Please reach out to noaacorps.recruiting@noaa.gov if you would like to volunteer for future opportunities.

Oregon II hosted Tuskegee University Ocean Exploration students. Photo Credit: USM Marine Education Center

Oregon II hosted Tuskegee University Ocean Exploration students. Photo Credit: USM Marine Education Center

Oregon II hosted Tuskegee University Ocean Exploration students. Photo Credit: USM Marine Education Center

NOAA Corps Shipboard Augmentation

Last fall marked the one-year anniversary of OMAO Procedure 1211-01: Commissioned Officer Augmentation. This procedure was requested by the workforce through discussions and the Annual Safety Culture Survey. The policy is intended to better support deck officer augmentation requests, work-life-balance, and reduce fatigue at sea.

Thank you to all the NOAA Corps officers and mates who augmented in the fleet this past year. In FY22, there were 121 requests for deck officer augmentation. This is a 46% increase in demand over previous years. In total, 61 different officers and mates stepped up and filled ninety-one (91) of these requests resulting in significantly more time off for mariners and improved staffing. This still left 27 unfilled requests resulting in limited use of annual leave, canceled training, sailing with minimal staffing or lost days at sea. Marine Operations has captured lessons learned from the inaugural year of the policy and is working to implement improvements to support officers and the mission in FY2023.

For officers on the Marine Operations Augmentation List, I encourage you to proactively plan your augmentation as that is when the scheduling works best for all parties. Here are some recommendations to help with planning:

• Please keep track of the Deck Officer Augmentation Requests.
• Work with COs and XOs to plan ahead. Planning is the key detail here. Individuals and ships that plan the best have the highest rate of fulfilling augmentation requests.
• If contacted to go augment based on the Marine Operations Augmentation List, be ready to go to sea.
• If you cannot answer the call, you are to fill out the Augmentation Conflict Form letting CPC know why you could not follow the policy.
• Officers are responsible for understanding OMAO Procedure 1211-01 Commissioned Officer Augmentation Policy.
• Plan ahead, if you just came from a ship this past year, reach out to them and see if they can use your assistance at some point. Another good option is to start planning for your next assignment. Reach out to the ship you want to be assigned to in the future and see if it is a good fit. A little insight into assignment boards: augmenting on a ship is a possible mark in your favor to get to that ship.
• To ship commands, every augmentation request has resource implications and ships are reminded to make sure staffing decisions are made to minimize over utilization of this policy. Again, the key word is planning.

Finally, please contact the MOC Crew Supervisor (moc.crew.supervisor@noaa.gov) or Chief, Career Management Division (chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov) with any questions. FY2023 Field Season will, again, be a challenge for staffing ships. As a team, we can answer this challenge.

Thank you again for all your past efforts, and thank you, in advance, for helping your shipmates, MO Crew and the fleet execute in the upcoming field season.

From the Assignments Desk: TDY Opportunity

Marine Operations Center – Atlantic (MOC-A) is looking for interested officers to support a three-week detail from May 15th – June 2nd, 2023 as a member of the operational leadership team. This detail will focus on logistical and executive support coverage for MOC-A ships and planning/ development of the FY24 Fleet Allocation Plan. Duties [will] include MOC-A facility oversight assistance and response to Line Office or HQ level data calls. Officers with prior facilities and operational support experience are preferred and encouraged to consider this dynamic Marine Center opportunity during the field season peak . MOC-A will fully fund all official travel expenses. Interested officers are requested to reach out to the MOC-A CO (co.moc.atlantic@noaa.gov) with any questions.