BOTC 143 Updates (Student written entry)

BOTC 143 at Rhode Island Fire Academy. PC: RIFA Staff

BOTC 143 has just finished their third week of training, with the completion of new training exercises off-site! Their basic firefighting safety skills were put to the test thanks to the help of amazing instructors at the Rhode Island Fire Academy in Exeter. The officer candidates learned about firefighting suits, how to operate and secure SCBA’s, and how to properly use fire extinguishers. They also practiced search and rescue, and fire hose handling.

Additionally, the officer candidates ventured to Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT to practice emergency survival at sea techniques. This specific training included life raft deployment and boarding, ship abandonment, simulated aircraft ditching, and underwater egress.

The class ended their week by taking to the Washington Parade Field for their first formal drill competition. With 22 officer candidates on board, BOTC 143 is the second class in OCS history with sufficient personnel to qualify as their own platoon for drill & ceremonies competitions with the Coast Guard.

The class has been extremely busy so far, but has still found time to play intramural sports on the weekend. BOTC 143 continues to enjoy the liberties of their junior status, including coffee and the anticipation for billet night.

Upcoming important dates include Billet Night on March 8th, Leadership Philosophy Panels on April 1st, Graduation on April 5th, and BOTC Capstone training from Apr 8th to May 3rd.

OC Sexton marches the platoon in the first drill competition. PC: OC Rodriguez-Garcia

BOTC 143 at Survival Systems USA. PC: Survival Systems Staff

IST LCDR Matthew Taraboletti - Reporting for Duty

On Friday, February 2, LCDR Matthew "Terrible" Taraboletti took the Oath of Office at NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, FL. LCDR Taraboletti joins us after ten and a half years of service in the United States Navy, where he served as a Patrol Plane Pilot on the P-3 Orion and a Patrol Plane Commander on the P-8 Poseidon. While ashore, he served at Training Squadron 28 where he instructed Student Naval Aviators during their Primary phase of training on the T-6B. LCDR Taraboletti completed his time in the NAVY aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower serving as a Shooter and was responsible for the Launch and Recovery of fixed-wing and rotor aircraft attached to the ship.

LCDR Taraboletti graduated from SUNY Maritime College with a degree in Marine Engineering and a United States Coast Guard License as a 3rd Assistant Engineer. Welcome aboard, LCDR Taraboletti!

From the NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch: Officer Profile Interviews

The NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch, in coordination with OMAO Public Affairs, is profiling officers across our website and social media channels. These profiles humanize the NOAA Corps career and serve as a recruitment tool for potential applicants.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming article, please fill out this Google Form. Thank you for supporting NOAA Corps Recruiting and the growth of our service!

NCRA Submission Procedure

To ensure compliance with the requirements in NOAA Corps Directives 12705(E) and streamline the process of submitting a NOAA Corps Recruiting Achievement Ribbon (NCRA), the following steps are required:

• Any memo or list of events for a potentially eligible officer must first be sent to the apply.noaacorps@noaa.gov email address.
• Each recruiting instance in the memo must include the name and date of each event for easy processing against the standard for an eligible event.
• Once at least eight individual events have been validated, the Recruiting Branch will route an authorization memo to the Director of CPC.
• For any questions on what counts as an event, please reach out to Recruiting Branch staff for clarification prior to submission.

Following these steps will ensure that the award process for the NOAA Corps Recruiting Achievement Ribbon (NCRA) is compliant with requirements and efficiently managed by the Recruiting Branch.

New Final OER Submit Processs

CPC continuously seeks process improvements to enhance turnaround time and customer service to the NOAA Corps at large, including a recent update to the OER submission process. A new smartsheet form has been developed and implemented to upload OERs directly into CPC’s internal tracker, vice being potentially overlooked in an e-mail account; and a corresponding change to the Directives relating to OER processing (NCD 04414) will come soon. The OER.CPC e-mail account will remain open, but with an automated reply redirecting submitters to use the linked OER smartsheet form, as well as stating that the OER account will be unmonitored moving forward.

Please submit any new fully signed OERs using the smartsheets form at this link (a smartsheets account is not needed), and contact chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov with any questions about this new process.

CPC Webinar - Personal Biographies (2/21/2024)

Please join CDR Andrew Colegrove (Chief, Officer Career Management Division) and CPC representatives for a Webinar at 1200 EST on February 21st as we discuss what Personal Biographies are thought to and can be. All are welcome, and officers that are potentially in upcoming zones for promotion are strongly encouraged to attend. Discussion topics will include what may and maybe shouldn't be included in a Personal Biography, the history of Personal Biographies, and the overall intent and use of Personal Biographies from a promotion board perspective. Please use this linked Google Doc to ask any questions you may have in advance, and they along with additional questions during the presentation will be addressed, time permitting. This webinar will be recorded and made available on CPC's website. Hope to see you there!

Medical Affairs: NOAA Privacy and Consent Form

Medical Affairs would like to remind officers that the NOAA Privacy and Consent Form is due annually. After receiving feedback, we recently added tracking of the NOAA Privacy and Consent Form under medical readiness in each officer’s OPF. If you still need to submit the form to Medical Affairs via the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal, we have detailed instructions on how to upload the forms on the CPC Website here. Medical Affairs has also updated other sections of the CPC website, including the most recent updates on the Retirement and Separation tab. If you are having any issues with uploading medical documents please reach out to your NOAA Corps Medical Affairs team at noaacorps.medical@noaa.gov.

CONUS Living Pattern Survey (LPS)

The Continental U.S. (CONUS) Living Pattern Survey (LPS) (information document linked here) is now open for all active duty members who have been at their current permanent duty station for at least three months. This survey is used to help determine future rates of CONUS Cost of Living Allowances (COLA), and as such is very important in helping the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Military Compensation Policy Directorate better understand service member shopping patterns. Please take time (approximately 15 minutes per household) to fill out the survey and contribute to the development of future COLA rates.

Updated Fleet Augmentation Website

In response to recent changes in MO Crew procedures for augmentation and a pending change to the Commissioned Officer Augmentation policy, CPC has updated the Fleet Augmentation Procedures information website, including new links and forms used for passing along augmentation information. Please navigate to the new augmentation page linked here for more details.

From the Assignment Desk: Billet #7198 - NGS Lidar and Hydrographic Survey Developmental Officer

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is looking for a motivated Junior Officer entering their first shore assignment to become the next NGS Lidar and Hydrographic Survey Developmental Officer. Assigned to the Remote Sensing Division (RSD), the officer will be expected to complete a Master of Science program in Hydrographic Sciences approved by the Chief, Remote Sensing Division. This will provide operational experience and contribute to NGS while also attaining academic and hands-on training that will prepare the officer for the follow on billet #7199. The advanced degree is fully funded by NOAA, and officers assigned will incur a three-year active duty service obligation upon completion of the training program.

If interested, please reach out to the NGS Technical Line Office Liaison, CDR Peter Freeman at peter.freeman@noaa.gov.

From the Assignment Desk: Billet #4003 - Science and Applied Technology Transition Officer

U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC), a collaborative tri-agency effort of NOAA, the U.S. Navy (USN), and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), stands as the sole provider of tactical scale snow and ice products. We support a broad range of crucial operations, from intelligence agencies to research vessels navigating ice-laden waters. As the Transitions and Initiatives (T&I) Officer, you will lead pivotal science-to-operations activities. This role is not just about management; it's about innovation and transformation. You will evaluate and implement cutting-edge products, data sources, and organizational processes, positioning USNIC at the forefront of maritime and polar science.

Why This Role Matters:

• Project Management Mastery: Develop and hone your project management skills in a high-stakes, interdisciplinary setting.
• Technological Frontiers: Engage with the latest technologies, GIS software, and IT infrastructure. Your work will directly influence the operational capabilities of the Center.
• Strategic Partnerships: As a program manager for both the U.S. International Arctic Buoy Program and the Antarctic Buoys, your role will be instrumental in shaping international collaborations and research.
• Career Advancement: This position is a stepping stone to future high-profile liaison roles, thanks to your extensive interaction with multiple agencies.

This unique opportunity is not just a job – it's a chance to make a significant contribution to a critical mission in a dynamic, multi-agency environment. To seize this incredible opportunity, reach out to the current incumbent, LT Jacquelyn Putnam at jacquelyn.putnam@noaa.gov, or NWS liaison, CAPT Chris Sloan at chris.sloan@noaa.gov. You can also contact the assignment coordinator for more details.