Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps,

I’m happy to report that the first Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC) in our new three classes per year scheduling format has successfully graduated! For those who were unable to tune in yesterday, 20 BOTC 145 officer candidates and their 75 U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS) 2-25 classmates graduated and were appointed as ensigns. Co-sponsored by Rear Admiral Michael Platt (Commander, First Coast Guard District) and Rear Admiral (lower half) Amanda Goeller (Deputy Director, NOAA Corps and OMAO Operations), the graduation event had a bit of celebratory pomp and circumstance where all uniformed services were recognized through the playing of service songs, awards were conveyed to honored OCs, and a few flag officer words of wisdom were shared with the graduates.

RDML Goeller commended the new ensigns for their, “...many hours of hard work and strong support of one another,” and emphasized how important it is to, “... cultivate that teamwork wherever you go,” as integral to a successful career and service. RADM Platt later added that, “The core of success… isn’t about knowing everything on day one, it’s about leading with integrity, confidently making decisions, and caring for your people.” Emphasizing that respect must be earned, he noted that crews rely on us as officers for guidance, “... not because you have all the answers, but because you’ve been trusted to [care about them].” He concluded the thought with a fully applicable reflection on our roles in changing times, “Leadership is not about having an easy path. It’s about making tough decisions when the path is uncertain… Our missions are diverse, but they all share one common theme: they require leadership. This is what you have trained for.”

I’m thankful today for our new BOTC-145 ensigns, and indeed all members of our service, who have taken up the call and committed themselves to navigating change through listening, learning, fostering teamwork, showing humility, being decisive at the right moments, and ultimately leading those entrusted to their care. Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and don’t hesitate to reach out to and start a conversation with a mentor, CPC staff, your line office liaison, and/or any other senior leader if you are looking for guidance or understanding through periods of uncertainty.

Best Regards,

Captain Chris van Westendorp, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

P.S. Last call to submit your National ACO scholarship nominations is below!

BOTC 145 Update

BOTC 145 on their last day of class at the USCGA with LCDR Kosten. PC: Mr. Kihm

BOTC 145 with the instructors at the Rhode Island Fire Academy. PC: OC Dahl

BOTC 145 has officially completed their instruction at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and is less than one month away from joining the fleet! BOTC 145 ensigns will finish their training in Newport, Rhode Island, at USMRC before heading off to their first assignments. During the last few weeks, the class has focused on learning basic and advanced firefighting techniques to ensure they are prepared for some worst case scenarios in the fleet. They have also diligently helped prepare the barracks for the arrival of BOTC 146. As 145 steps forward, they reflect on all they have learned and completed together. Thank you to RDML Goeller for sponsoring BOTC 145 and to all of the officers who took the time to provide support and guidance throughout the program.

BOTC 145 graduates with class co-sponsor RDML Goeller, NCOTC staff, and NOAA Corps graduation attendees. Credit: CDR Kevin Doremus

Next CPC Webinar: Personal Financial Management

In an effort to continue providing useful and informative content for NOAA Corps officers, we are pleased to announce the next CPC Webinar will be around the topic of personal financial literacy. We all have some impact and therefore gain knowledge and skills one way or another in government resource management throughout our careers, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to resource management in our personal lives. An individual from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy will be joining us to present and take questions on personal financial management around the last two weeks of April. Please stay tuned and check your email inbox and calendars for more details, coming soon.

Notice: Personal Fitness Plan (PFP)

Per NOAA Corps Directives Chapter 16, Part 16004(A)(1), each officer must submit their Personal Fitness Plan (PFP) twice annually (April and October).

However, due to the official initial implementation of the revised Physical Fitness and Body Composition policy in March 2025, all PFPs submitted in line with the March requirement will be deemed valid until October 2025. As always, please contact the NOAA Corps Dietitian / Nutrition Specialist (rachel.saunders@noaa.gov) with any questions on Chapter 16.

ACO Scholarship CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Due 4/15/2025)

As a reminder, the Executive Committee of National ACO Scholarships, Inc. has issued its annual call to high school seniors and college undergrads for applications for scholarship awards for the 2025/2026 academic year. The application form is available here, with instructions here. These links will also be available on the “News” page of the DC ACO website. Applications are due by 5 pm EDT on April 15, 2025.

For questions or issues about the form, or more information, please contact the Executive Committee of National ACO Scholarships at NationalACOScholarships@gmail.com.

Note: 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 and does not endorse any particular advocacy organization or convey a position on any particular legislative effort.