Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps Colleagues,

Sitting and pondering what to write about in this mid/late-August timeframe, I found myself earlier this week realizing that I was feeling a bit mentally tired. Then, I started thinking about all of the things I still needed or wanted to accomplish… My subconscious brain started chirping [Several folks in Headquarters have been taking time off, so this is my opportunity to catch up and make sure that everything gets done. And, because I’m here, I have to be the one to do it all! If I don’t keep things moving, the NOAA Corps world may very well end! And it will all be my fault! Who would be able to do my job if I were to take time off?!? Aaaaarrrghhhh!!!...]

The realization of this internal (one-way) conversation reminded me of one of the things that I suspect all of us share, and that is a consistent desire to go above and beyond the call of duty in service to NOAA and the Nation. However, I’ve found that this honorable and admirable quality may also have an unintended but strongly-correlated flip side, which is an inflated sense of self-purpose (I call it my well-meaning ego trip, and I’m not proud of it). It is this ideation that has prevented me from taking leave many times in my career when I otherwise absolutely showed all the signs of needing to take time off. Similarly, it’s also prevented me from understanding how so many of my friends and colleagues could possibly find time to take leave; truly my self-fulfilling prophecy of mental exhaustion and confusion at how everything continues to get done.

Which leads me to a self-care reminder for the season, and indeed the entire year. I encourage everyone (myself included) to pay attention to those subconscious signs that it’s time to take a break, and work with your chain of command to schedule and take leave / unplug. Even when we think that we don’t have time, or couldn’t possibly not do our jobs for fear of our team/office/unit failing, a well-deserved break is still a necessary thing. The world will keep turning, things that may require our attention can wait (or be delegated to another individual for their own development and awareness), and when we return from leave, we will pick up right where we left off. Everything’s going to be okay!

On that note and per RADM Hann’s memo issued last year, remember that any regular and special leave accrual must be reduced to a total of 70 days by 9/30/2023 or will otherwise be lost. Do whatever you can to lose zero days of leave this and every fiscal year; it’s truly a primary responsibility for ourselves and to each other. In the meantime, be well!

Best Regards,

Directors signature
Captain Chris van Westendorp, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

On the Horizon

30 Aug 2023 O1/O2 OERs Due
14 Sep 2023 Command Advisory Board
4 Oct 2023 Officer Assignment Board
4 Oct 2023 BOTC-142 Billet Night
17 Nov 2023 BOTC-142 Graduation
Late Nov - Early Dec 2023 Aviation Advisory Board, Initial Flight

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

LT Christopher Dunn 25 AUG 2023
CDR Patrick Didier 01 SEP 2023
LT Conor Maginnn 21 SEP 2023
LT Diane Perry 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 Updates (Student written entry)


BOTC 142 at Rhode Island Fire Academy. Photo Credit: Rhode Island Fire Academy

BOTC 142 is now wrapping up their fourth week and training has been in full swing. They completed many new training exercises, the start of basic safety and seamanship class, their first drill ceremony, and a visit from their class sponsor, Rear Admiral Benjamin K. Evans. On 07th August, RDML Evans visited OCS 1-24 and BOTC 142, fielding questions from the class and providing encouraging words to remember during training. OCS 1-24/BOTC 142 want to give a huge thank you to RDML Evans! Also on 07 August, BOTC 142 met their basic safety and seamanship class instructor, Mr. Rick Comeau from USMRC (US Maritime Resource Center). Future classes with Mr. Comeau will involve nautical navigation and small boat handling.

On 10th August, BOTC 142 attended CPR/First aid training which included how to use an AED, prepare a splint, and control bleeding.

11th August was BOTC 142’s first drill ceremony. This ceremony was unique because it was the first time a BOTC class has been big enough to fill their own platoon in drill competition. They received 3rd place, but have gained confidence for the next ceremony. Another major event that day was earning back coffee. Needless to say, morale was greatly improved!

15th August was basic firefighting training at Rhode Island Fire Academy. They learned the components of a firefighting suit, how to use SCBA’s, extinguishers, completing room searches, and handling fire hoses. Thank you, Rhode Island Fire Academy!

Next on the horizon for BOTC 142 :

September 18th-30thEagle Cruise
October 4thBillet Night
November 13thLeadership Philosophy Panels
November 17thGraduation


BOTC 142 at Rhode Island Fire Academy. Photo Credit: Rhode Island Fire Academy
BOTC 142 at Rhode Island Fire Academy. Photo Credit: Rhode Island Fire Academy

BOTC Brown Bag Lunch Volunteers

NCOTC is still looking for anyone interested in speaking with the BOTC class in the coming months. Please use this google form to view the list of topics and sign up for a session.
https://forms.gle/DS6Qzc6dvpW37M5i7

Please email ops.ncotc@noaa.gov or chief.ncotc@noaa.gov with any questions.

From the Recruiting Office

Recruiting is on the lookout for operational content that has the potential to become a part of a new captivating recruitment video. Whether it's moments from daily routines, extraordinary missions, or behind-the-scenes glimpses, your contributions can help us make a new and more authentic picture of life in our dynamic careers. If you have footage that you believe exemplifies the essence of our operations and could inspire future recruits, please send videos to brandon.baylor@noaa.gov.

Policy/Privacy concerns

  • Corps personnel must be in correct uniform.
  • Confidential spaces, equipment, documents, and other items should be avoided.
  • To protect all sailors’ personally identifiable information, be mindful of documents containing identifiable information such as ID cards.
  • Space in the background should be properly stowed for sea, when on deployment, and/or properly organized for fire safety, personnel safety, chemical safety, etc.
  • Personnel who may be photographed should be made aware in advance of any filming.
  • Filming should never interfere with the mission or compromise safety.
  • The videographer should take care to avoid capturing incidental conversations or copyrighted music.

Camera work

  • Landscape and portrait oriented shots.
  • Keep shot steady - elbows tucked against body.
  • Avoid zoom (phone zooms just pixelate the shot - better to crop in during edit).
  • Follow through – stay on a shot for 5-7 seconds as opposed to 1-2.
  • Lighting - avoid backlight issues (sun behind the subject).

Content

  • Officers being shown in shots is a priority.
  • All personnel seen in video should be in proper uniform of the day and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment when conducting training and/or normal operations (incl. cover if outdoors, proper ranks, etc.).
  • Officers at work.
  • Officers interacting with non-commissioned crew members.

    • PCS and Travel Orders re: Upcoming Business Application Solutions (BAS) Implementation

    All officers should take note of the 8/16/2023 broadcast email from Ben Friedman (Transition to the Business Applications Solution (BAS)) regarding the upcoming Finance System blackout period from October 1-25, 2023. Due to a lack of ability to process financial transactions during that time, officers with upcoming PCS relocations during the blackout period or at any time during Q1 of FY24 (Oct-Dec) must submit their PCS Orders request through their servicing HR representative (via your OPF) no later than Close of Business on Friday, August 25th. This will ensure CPC can process orders and obligate funding prior to the system blackout, avoiding potential delays in officer relocations.  

    Additionally, only mission essential travel will be authorized during the blackout.  Please work with your chain of command (and/or CPC for CPC-funded engagements) on pending travel that might be impacted to determine if the travel is authorized or not.  For those that conduct approved travel during this time, you will not receive reimbursement until after the blackout, however you are still responsible for any travel charges on your Gov Travel Card if they are due during the blackout.  If you have completed authorized travel before the blackout, the deadline for submitting completed travel vouchers is Tuesday, September 19th COB to ensure processing and reimbursement before the blackout.

    If you have questions regarding the blackout, please contact Chief, OCMD via chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov or if you have questions regarding PCS orders, please contact your servicing HR Representative.

    From the Assignments Desk: NOAA Headquarters Project Management Detail Opportunity (OCAO)

    The NOAA Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) is looking for an enterprising Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander (including officers selected for those ranks) to embark on a 3-6 month full-time developmental detail with the OCAO front office, supporting NOAA facilities strategic planning and operational execution. Primarily focused on helping manage the NOAA Headquarters lease re-competition project, the detailed officer should expect to gain NOAA-level experience in project management, executive communication, and budget management; as well as exposure to and understanding and practical application of cross-NOAA senior leadership networking and collaboration. Temporary duty funding may be available for the detailee if permanently stationed outside of the Washington D.C. area, and the position will largely be located on-site at SSMC in Silver Spring with some telework available.

    Interested officers must obtain their supervisor's approval and contact LCDR Joe Carrier at assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov. Please contact Toni Parham, OCAO Chief of Staff at toni.d.parham@noaa.gov, for any questions related to the detail itself.