Happy Friday, NOAA Corps!
I’m pleased to pass the pen this week to CAPT Jim Crocker (NOAA, ret.). Jim was one of my first NOAA Corps supervisors, and has been a valued mentor, close colleague, and friend throughout my NOAA career; I am most grateful that he agreed to share some parting thoughts with us as he wrapped up his active duty career earlier this week.
Best Regards,
Captain Chris van Westendorp, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center
Fellow NOAA Corps Officers,
When Chris offered me the opportunity to pen the intro to this week’s Cyberflash at the time of my retirement I was truly honored. Although, I had no idea what I might say other than to offer my most sincere thanks to the NOAA Corps and those I have served with.
When I took the Oath of Office at BOTC over 29 years ago, I never thought I would have served this long or be the last of my class to depart the NOAA Corps. I was first assigned lineal number 410. Shortly after I was commissioned as an Ensign, the NOAA Corps began a very difficult period where its continued existence was severely questioned. The BOTC class after mine was the last for several years, and uncertainty caused many officers to leave the service. As a JO on the NOAA Ship Rainier, I watched the wardroom dwindle in size as JOs that reported before me departed for land assignments or new careers. To be relieved from sea duty required more senior officers to return to sea and sail as JOs again. Sea assignments became longer and more frequent, and land assignments shorter, impacting those who stayed on and many new officers to follow as the NOAA Corps reduced in size to well under 300.
Many of my family and friends would ask why I stayed on under such uncertain times, and I told them how lucky I was to find a career and community that, to me, fit perfectly. I saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I also knew it was a competitive service and there was no guarantee I would continue to be promoted or even make it to retirement. I just wanted the opportunity I had to last, and I am truly grateful for how long it did.
The NOAA Corps has navigated many challenges since then and not only survived but thrived. Working through all the changes over the years has been challenging, and it is wonderful to now see the positive results come to fruition, knowing that the NOAA Corps is much stronger today.
As I depart into retirement I do so with much gratitude: to the senior officers and leadership who successfully fought to sustain and then grow the NOAA Corps and recapitalize the fleet and aircraft; to the officers and peers who provided mentorship, guidance, and support throughout my career; to the officers and crew I have sailed with over the years; to my family; and to the memories I will carry with me forever.
I know that many officers who read this will likely not reach full retirement. However, no matter how far the NOAA Corps journey takes you, I wish it to be filled with camaraderie, adventure, wonderful memories, and satisfaction. Thank you for your service and for continuing to make the NOAA Corps strong!
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
CAPT Jim Crocker, NOAA Corps, Ret.
| 30 Aug 2023 | O1/O2 OERs Due |
| 14 Sep 2023 | Command Advisory Board |
| CDR John Rossi | 10 AUG 2023 |
| CDR Megan Raymond | 16 AUG 2023 |
| LT Christopher Dunn | 25 AUG 2023 |
| CDR Patrick Didier | 01 SEP 2023 |
| LT Diane Perry | 01 SEP 2023 |
| LT Conor Maginnn | 21 SEP 2023 |
| LCDR Hadley Owen | 30 SEP 2023 |
| CAPT Michael Levine | 01 OCT 2023 |
| CAPT Edward Van Den Ameele | 01 OCT 2023 |
| LCDR Richard DeTriquet | 30 Nov 2023 |
| LCDR Alan Hough | 30 Nov 2023 |
| LCDR Bryan Begun | 01 Dec 2023 |
| LT Lee Shoemaker | 01 Dec 2023 |
| LTJG Samuel Umfress | 15 Dec 2023 |
BOTC 142 is officially underway. The class, along with their Coast Guard shipmates in OCS 1-24, is finishing Indoctrination Week and starting the Junior Phase of the program. Next week the class will begin their maritime curriculum with Basic Safety training. Upcoming important dates include the Eagle Cruise September 18th-30th, Billet Night October 4th, Leadership Philosophy Panels November 13th, and Graduation November 17th.
NOAA Corps recruiting is asking for volunteers who are eager to share their experiences with others while promoting and representing our service at upcoming career fairs and outreach events. As we gear up for our Fall 2023 Recruitment Schedule be aware that participation, especially in Q1, is contingent upon the availability of travel funds. If you are interested in being a part of this rewarding experience and aiding in the growth of the NOAA Corps, please reach out at noaacorps.recruiting@noaa.gov.
The Women Offshore Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the careers of woman-identifying seafarers worldwide and recently featured LTJG Alice Beittel in a podcast episode! The Women Offshore Podcast brings you stories of working on the water and topics that affect seafarers. LTJG Beittel speaks to the history of the NOAA Corps and what keeps her motivated out on the water. Give it a listen on your preferred podcast app or online and explore the podcast series to hear more episodes featuring women+ at sea!
July 31st marked the end of the Officer Evaluation Report (OER) reporting period for Ensigns and Lieutenants (junior grade). Please ensure your completed OER is submitted to the OER Administrators at oer.cpc@noaa.gov by August 30th so that it can be reviewed and uploaded to your OPF on or around September 14th.
The OER email inbox was empty as of August 2nd. If you have not received a notification email with the subject line 'We Received Your OER...' then we have not received a copy from your rating chain. You can also check to see your OER status as either 'Checked-In', 'Validated,' or 'Scanned' within your OPF. If you have no notification email and/or no record of the status of an anticipated OER within your OPF, please follow up with your rating chain. Otherwise, please create an HR action request to submit any OER related questions and reference NOAA Corps Directives Chapter 4 Part 4 and the Officer Evaluation System Instruction Manual on the CPC website.
We would like to express our sincerest thanks to our outgoing and incoming Line Office Liaisons for their commitment to the NOAA Corps. Effective September 1, 2023, CAPT William Mowitt will be taking over as the OMAO Line Office Liaison when CAPT Christian Sloan relieves CAPT Michael Levine as the next NWS Liaison. Other recent changes include CAPT Jason Mansour who recently assumed the role of the NOS Liaison behind CAPT E.J. Van Den Ameele in July. We are deeply grateful for each of these officers' contributions to the assignments process and especially for their guidance and mentorship of officers seeking their next billets.
A list of the Line Office Liaisons is available on CPC’s website. As a reminder, the Liaisons serve as your representative within your Line Office in the management of billets, assignments, and in many cases with officer evaluations.