Message from the Director

Greetings, NOAA Corps,

I have asked CDR Andrew Colegrove, your CPC Chief of Career Management, to take the pen this week. As always, please take care of yourselves and each other.

Best Regards,

Captain Chris van Westendorp, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

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From the desk of CDR Andrew Colegrove, Chief of the Officer Career Management Division:

I am grateful for the opportunity from Captain van Westendorp to pen this week’s Director’s Message. Having just returned from swearing-in BOTC 145, I felt moved to write about career development and perspective. Scrolling through social media videos recently, I came across a motivational speaker. I often linger on motivational videos which means the algorithm in the background floods my feeds with them, and occasionally I get one that truly resonates with me. Today’s message came from one of these during an otherwise uneventful train ride to work.

The talk asked the following: Have you ever seen videos of skiers successfully maneuvering through dense forests, zigging and zagging at what seems like blistering speeds? How do they do that so fast without hitting anything? What seems impossible to the inexperienced is relatively simple with a shift in perspective. Instead of repeating a mantra of, “Don’t hit a tree, don’t hit a tree, don’t hit a tree”, skiers in these situations will say to themselves, “Follow the path, follow the path, follow the path”. By shifting perspective, the obstacles fade away and a clear path appears.

When surrounded by challenges, it is easy to lose sight of our path forward and focus only on the hurdles. The feeling can be overwhelming, disheartening, and discouraging. It is easy to become focused on the “now” and see only the struggle before you. The feeling of “today is a terrible day” can cloud the mind from seeing into tomorrow and beyond.

I have had the privilege of speaking during the Admin week of three BOTCs where I tell OCs that BOTC is designed to be educational but also intentionally and intensely challenging; it is a purposeful struggle. Their leadership abilities will be challenged, teamwork will put pressure on them to deliver and improve, and they will fail at times. BOTC is a micro experience of an officer’s macro career: overcoming challenge, struggle, and failure. The questions I ask them are: What will they do in those moments? What will they do when they have failed? How will they respond when they want to give up? Will they see the path through the obstacles?

As I think of the challenges we all face in our careers, I am encouraged by our shared basic training experiences. The lessons learned prepare us for the challenges we'll face. Succeeding in basic training requires a shift in perspective and a focus on the path and teamwork. The trials we faced and overcame give us confidence and tools necessary to navigate our careers. We succeeded in basic training by focusing on the path forward, and we can navigate our careers in the same way. The skills, resilience, and perspective we possess are tools to help find our respective paths.

The journey is not meant to be easy. It is meant to be worth it. When the path becomes dense, I recommend leaning on those around you for support and encouragement. Above all, trust in your own ability to succeed. Be well. See your path.

BOTC 145 Underway

BOTC 145 during indoctrination week. PC: LT Alex Hughes, USCG

BOTC 145 is officially underway. The class, along with their Coast Guard shipmates in OCS 2-25, have completed Indoctrination week. BOTC 145 has learned military customs and courtesies and important NOAA policy. They have been introduced to the NOAA line offices, ships, aircraft, and more to prepare them for billet decisions and their future career tracks as officers. They will begin their maritime training with Basic Safety, CPR and survival at sea training.

Thank you to RDML Goeller, BOTC 145’s class sponsor, for taking the time to visit and meet with both OCS and BOTC to discuss leadership, the future of the NOAA Corps, and the importance of inter-agency partnerships, as well as for providing candid advice and sea stories from her own career.

Upcoming important dates include Billet Night February 27^th, Graduation April 3^rd, and BOTC post-graduation training April 7^th- May 2^nd.

Service Member Advocacy Organization Notice (ACO and COA)

The Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) frequently receives requests from various uniformed service support organizations, (e.g. Association of Commissioned Officers [ACO], Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service [COA], etc.), seeking to connect with their potential constituent base. These organizations play a vital role in advocating for improvements to career benefits, professional development, and overall support for uniformed service personnel, retirees, and annuitants. While CPC values the work these organizations do and recognizes the potential benefits they offer to service members, it is important to note that CPC is bound by legal and ethical obligations including privacy laws to protect your personal information. As such, CPC is precluded from disclosing any personal data without an individual's explicit consent.

For any officer, retiree, or annuitant who wishes to share their personal information with the ACO and/or COA, and/or to opt-in to be contacted by them for advocacy or support purposes, please see the following contact information:

• Association of Commissioned Officers: noaacorpsdcaco@gmail.com
• USPHS Commissioned Officers Association: advocacy@coausphs.org

Active duty NOAA Corps officers who choose to contact an advocacy organization, do so in their personal capacity, and although they may use their rank/affiliation in such communications, they must clarify that they are speaking in their personal capacity. This information is provided for awareness on behalf of the ACO and COA and does not endorse any particular advocacy organization or convey a position on any particular legislative effort.

OPFOnline Improvement Questionnaire (Closes 2/21/2025)

As we pursue continuous improvement, the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) respectfully requests active duty officers’ constructive feedback on the OPFOnline application. Input will help shape our software development plans and ensure the application better serves the needs of all officers.

The current version of OPFOnline has been live since 2023. In order to ensure that future improvements are as impactful as possible, we would like to hear about officer experience, specifically:

• What features or functionalities you find helpful.
• Any challenges or pain points you’ve encountered while using OPFOnline.
• Suggestions for new features or enhancements to improve usability and efficiency.

We kindly ask you to complete the questionnaire linked here (should take no more than 15 minutes to complete) and provide as much detail as possible. The more specific the feedback, the better we can tailor improvements to meet officer needs, and we greatly appreciate any time devoted to this effort. Together, we can make OPFOnline a better tool for everyone.

The questionnaire will remain open until Close of Business on Friday, February 21, 2025. Thank you in advance!

Update to NOAA Corps Directives (NCD) Chapter 12 - Uniforms and Awards

Nine proposals from the Uniform and Awards Board (UAB) have been approved by the Director and incorporated into the latest revision of Chapter 12 (version 6). Please see the list of highlights from these revisions below. CPC and the UAB would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to developing and executing these proposals. For any questions about these changes or uniforms and awards more generally, please reach out to the UAB (noaacorps.uab@noaa.gov) and/or the NOAA Corps Policy Analyst (noaacorps.policy@noaa.gov).

Revision Highlights:

• Authorization to wear a female-specific combination cover with Whites and Khakis (see Appendix 5 Section 529);
• Clarification of the wear of command insignia for officer-in-charge of a NOAA vessel or chief-of-party, as well as the requirements for a billet to be designated as a chief-of-party (see NCD 12603);
• Moves the responsibility of the solicitation of nominations for the SAME Colbert Medal and Karo Award to the UAB and requires that nominations be submitted through the appropriate line office liaison and approved by the Director (see NCD 12704(F) and 12704(G));
• Standardizes the process for service award approval by the Director of CPC, a commanding officer, or officer-in-charge. This includes the use of new award worksheets (see NCD 12705(B) and 12705(E-K), concerning ‘Issuance and Manner of Wear’)*;
• Clarifies the process for an outside agency or non-governmental organization to nominate an officer for Outstanding Volunteer Service (see NCD 12705(D)(2));
• Clarifies eligibility requirements for the NOAA Corps Special Duty Ribbon (NSDR) and the process for a line office liaison to designate an officer’s assignment as eligible for the NSDR. These changes are retroactive to January 1, 2021 (see NCD 12705(F)(1));
• Modifies eligibility requirements for the NOAA Corps International Service Ribbon for officers aboard a United States vessel to 21 cumulative days of operating in another nation’s exclusive economic zone or international waters within a 24-month period. Eligibility under this new criteria is effective starting August 1, 2020. Changes also modify the minimum time requirement for NOAA Corps Officers serving aboard a foreign vessel or on operational duty in areas other than the United States to 21 cumulative days within a 12-month period. (see NCD 12705(K)(1));
• Authorization and clarification of the position of a second qualification insignia on the Operational Dress Uniform, including wear of a qualification insignia from another service. These changes are consistent with Navy and Coast Guard policy (see NCD 12603(C)(2)(c), 12604(A), and 12604(D)); and,
• Clarification that Foul Weather Parka Liner for ODU refers to the new fleece liner for the foul weather parka with rank tab, and not the ODU utility jacket which is no longer manufactured by the Coast Guard (see NCD 12412 and 12512).

*The new worksheets are in the process of being developed, and we estimate they will be added to the forms section of the CPC website in the next few weeks. A link to those worksheets will be provided in an upcoming Cyberflash.

Did You Know? Home of Record (NF 56-18) and State of Legal Residence (DD-2058) Forms

Two pieces of information that CPC collects for an officer’s Official Personnel File (OPF) are their home of record and state of legal residence. While these may sound, and in some cases be, identical, they are in fact quite distinct from each other.

For an officer’s home of record, the NOAA Form 56-18 is used to establish the home of a commissioned officer at the time of reporting for active duty and the place from which the officer was ordered to active duty. NF 56-18 is primarily used to determine travel and transportation allowances authorized at the time of an officer’s separation from active duty. In other words, allowances for separating officers are based on this location and no other, all in accordance with requirements in the Joint Travel Regulations. It is important to note that once NF 56-18 is submitted, entries MAY NOT BE CHANGED or CORRECTED unless authorized by the Director, CPC, as the result of a confirmed and bona fide error.

The DD Form 2058 is used to identify an officer’s correct State of Legal Residence for purposes of withholding State income taxes from pay, as defined by Section 3401(a) of the IRS Code of 1954. A state of legal residence is where a member considers their permanent home, and can be changed based on meeting residency requirements for individual states.

In summary, State of Legal Residence and Home of Record may be different, but only State of Legal Residence may be changed after initial accession into the service. For any related questions, officers should contact their respective HR specialist.

Assignment Pay – NOAA Ship Delivery Team

As recently announced at a NOAA Corps All Hands meeting, the Director, NOAA Corps, has approved Assignment Pay for each NOAA Corps officer serving on a NOAA Ship Delivery Team assignment, retroactive to on or after November 1, 2023. Officers who have already reported to these billets should see their retroactive pay show up automatically in their next end-of-month or mid-month pay, as well as a new monthly payout until they PCS from their assignment. Delivery Team Pay is paid at the monthly rate of $200 and prorated on a daily basis, based on a 30-day month. No pay accrues for the 31st day of the month and pay will begin the date the officer reports to the authorized billet.

For processing requirements, officers who have served or are serving as a member of the NOAA Ship Delivery Team should forward their endorsed orders to the NOAA Corps Payroll unit via HRMS Ticket. For further guidance on this entitlement, please see NOAA Corps Directives, Chapter 2, Part 020509.

Detail Opportunity: NOAA Liaison to the Oceanographer of the Navy

A detail opportunity is being offered for up to two interested officers, each for a period of 2–4 months, to backfill as Liaison to the Oceanographer of the Navy while CDR Manda participates in the Leadership Competencies Development Program (LCDP). This position serves as a critical conduit between NOAA and the Navy. During the detail, an officer will have the unique chance to operate directly within the Naval Oceanography division of OPNAV at the Pentagon. Duties include identifying and developing points of collaboration between NOAA and Naval research and operational enterprises, advancing formal agreements, and includes frequent close interaction with senior officers and civilians within both agencies.

One opportunity is expected during May-Aug 2025, with potential for a second similar length period starting before Feb 2026. One officer for a longer (~6 mo) period may also be considered. Interested officers should contact CDR Damian Manda at navy.lno@noaa.gov. Relocation will not be funded for officers outside the national capital region, however some of the duties can be completed remotely and officers in other locations will be considered. Officers O-3 and senior are encouraged to apply with approval from your supervisor.

From the Assignments Desk: Billet #7236: Field Support Liaison, Pacific, Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch

The Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch (HSTB) is looking for a motivated officer to join the team as the Field Support Liaison for the Pacific region. The billet is co-located with the Pacific Hydrographic Branch in Seattle, WA, and is currently available following the previous incumbent’s transition to the civilian workforce.

This is a dynamic billet within NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey that provides technical support to NOAA's mapping fleet and assists the transition of new technology into operations. The billet includes TDY opportunities in support of Coast Survey, other NOAA line offices, and even with partner agencies. This is a highly rewarding billet that prepares an officer for an Operations Officer tour on any vessel, and provides ample opportunities for development of professional skills, valuable experiences, and technical training.

Hydrographic survey experience is not required, but would be preferred. Interested officers are expected to have a technical aptitude, be willing to learn, and be able to work independently to identify better workflows, processes, and solutions in an ever-changing operational environment. Interested officers should have a sharp attention to detail, effective communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

For more information on this billet, including learning about what kind of projects you could be involved with upon arrival, please contact the current Atlantic Liaison, LTJG Lexi Ferguson at alexis.ferguson@noaa.gov.