Message from the Director

Happy Friday, NOAA Corps,

Today marks two years since a notable NOAA fleet and Corps event: the fire at sea onboard NOAA Ship Rainier. Everyone who has ever conducted maritime or aviation operations, recognizes that a fire at-sea or in the air is one of the scariest and most challenging situations to experience, and as a result, a tremendous amount of planning and training goes into preparing for what everyone hopes will never come to pass. However, recalling my message from several weeks ago, albeit in a slightly different light, the best laid plans oft’ go awry.

Over the course of many hours while completely isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the officers and crew aboard Rainier negotiated an incredible crucible together. With a range of at-sea experience anywhere from a few days to many years, the ship’s complement came together. They relied on their training, relied on each other, adjusted their approach as-needed through the intense and dynamic blaze, and stood their ground to save the ship and themselves, eventually returning Rainier safely to port.

We may occasionally talk about life crucibles, periods where we suddenly face daunting challenges, severe conditions, and/or slim odds. In a uniformed service, we start our careers in the crucible of basic training, and although unclear in that forging moment, the purpose becomes clear later when we are faced with immense challenges at sea and in the air. Through courage and resilience, we push through these challenges and ultimately unlock enhanced knowledge, experience, and cohesion that carries us forward. Said another way, in the heat of the moment, surrounded by chaos and uncertainty, we come together not as individuals, but as a single, unified team.

It is through this enduring spirit of cooperation and mutual support that we find the foundation of our success, and I profoundly thank you all for your service through Honor, Respect, and Commitment to NOAA and the Nation. Sail and Fly safely out there, and as always, please remember to take care of yourselves and each other.

Best Regards,

Captain Chris van Westendorp, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

NOAA Corps and Navy to Honor World War II POWS in Ceremony at US Navy Memorial

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, marked annually on the third Friday of September, honors Americans who served, despite facing brutal conditions, while being held as Prisoners of War, as well as those personnel still listed as Missing in Action, whose remains have never been recovered.

This year, the US Navy's official ceremony will pay special attention to the unsung heroes of the US Coast & Geodetic Survey who were captured and imprisoned by the Imperial Japanese armed forces during their invasion and occupation of the Philippines. NOAA Corps Director Rear Admiral Chad Cary will be the guest speaker at the ceremony. He will also join naval leaders in placing a memorial wreath at the Lone Sailor Statue during the remembrance. The ceremony will be held under the auspices of Naval District Washington, and will feature the US Navy Ceremonial Guard and Band, including a bugler playing Taps.

During WWII, members of NOAA's ancestor agency, the US Coast & Geodetic Survey, were drawn into the war after Japanese forces invaded the Philippines only hours after their attack on Pearl Harbor. The charting and survey work done by USC&GS and their Philippine partners was vital to the defense of the islands. The head of the USC&GS in the Philippines was killed while trying to save valuable charts and publications from capture. Five other C&GS officers served with the Armed Forces in the defense of the Philippines and were taken as POWs by the Japanese. These men endured brutal captivity from 1942-45 and one officer was killed in the waning days of the war. Uniquely, four of these men also had wives and children in the Philippines who were captured and interred under difficult conditions for the duration of the war. This year's POW/MIA Recognition Day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the release of the surviving USC&GS POWs and their families.

All current and former NOAA Corps personnel as well as NOAA employees and families are encouraged to attend the ceremony and reflect on the service and sacrifice of their predecessors.

• Date: Friday - 19 September 2025
• Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
• Location: The United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004. At the Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter METRO stop (Yellow/Green Lines).
• Uniform: Summer White

For more information contact Mark Weber, Curator of the NOAA Heritage program, mark.t.weber@noaa.gov

Historical Background
While small and little known, the US Coast & Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) performed exemplary service to the nation during World War II. When the Japanese Empire invaded the Philippine Commonwealth on 8 Dec. 1941, the USC&GS was immediately involved in the defense of the islands. The senior C&GS officer in the Philippines, CDR George Cowie, was killed in action attempting to secure valuable charts, equipment and information vital to the defense of the Philippines. The USC&GS’s ships RESEARCH and FATHOMER and their officers and crews operated in support of the US Armed Forces. Five members of the USC&GS were captured and held as POWs by the enemy. The spouses and children of some of these officers were also interned by the Japanese in the infamous Santo Tomas concentration camp for the duration of the war. One of the captured officers was subsequently killed by Allied attack while being transported to Japan aboard a “Hell Ship” in 1945. The four surviving officers and family members were liberated by US forces in 1945. One of the officers died soon after the war as a result of his treatment while imprisoned. In 1970 the USC&GS became a part of the newly created National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The USC&GS POWs were:

• LCDR Carl A. Egner held POW by the Japanese in Manila; returned to the United States upon liberation by American forces.
• MAJ Clarence Maynard, Deputy Director of the Philippine C&GS, as an Army reservist, he was called to active duty and later taken POW in Philippines
• LT George E. “Ted” Morris, XO and acting CO of USC&GS Steamer RESEARCH, fought with American forces until their surrender and was then held as POW by the Japanese in Manila; he was later transferred as a war prisoner to Japan and Korea; returned to the United States upon liberation by American forces. His wife and two young children were held in the Santo Tomas POW camp.
• LCDR Charles Shaw held as POW by the Japanese in Manila; returned to the United States upon liberation by American forces. Commander Shaw died shortly after the war.
• LT Joseph W. Stirni, who was first imprisoned in the Santo Tomas Internment Camp, was killed in the bombing of the vessel in which he was being transferred from the Philippines to Japan as a POW. His wife was held in the Santo Tomas POW camp and liberated by US forces.

How should OERs be scored?

It is critical to a Rated Officer’s career to accurately and appropriately assess their performance through the use of the Officer Evaluation Report (OER). The Officer Evaluation System (OES) manual is a very useful document for writing and understanding OERs and how to accurately and objectively capture an officer’s performance.

Specific information and guidance can be found in the NOAA Corps Directives (NCD) Chapter 4, Part 4 and the Officer Evaluation System Instruction Manual. In accordance with NCD 04404(B)(1), the Rating Chain shall: “Provide an accurate assessment of the rated officer’s current performance, future potential, and value to the NOAA Corps.” It is most important to ensure the comments justify the numerical ratings. An OER should not contain any performance deficiencies that have not already been addressed through prior counseling during the period of report. Please note that for ENS/LTJG OERs, supporting comments for the numerical ratings provided in the NOAA Form 56-6E (short OER Form) are only required for the three selected performance dimensions that best characterize the officer’s performance.

When an officer develops their OER supporting input or is writing OERs for others, remember to include the skill/achievement, the impact of the skill/achievement, and any metrics associated with the skill/achievement. Use of metrics and describing how the officer’s performance impacted/affected the work unit and NOAA is highly encouraged, and providing specific examples to justify ratings helps to support the numerical rating. Rated officers should encourage their supervisor to make an honest assessment of their performance against the text in the scoring dimension blocks and the description for each numerical score. If an officer’s performance meets or exceeds the level described, then the OER comments should capture how the officer is meeting, or exceeding these scores based on the provided descriptions.

Below is a general explanation of each of the scores found within an OER:

The table below highlights very simply what each of the scores mean and can be found on page 27 of the OES manual.

These score descriptions are merely suggestions in considering OER scoring - but when a score is selected, thorough documentation is necessary with specific examples of the “so what” resulting from the performance.

Please note:

• Justification is required for scores other than “4” (except for ENS/LTJG)
• Sometimes the jobs performed during a reporting period are different from the previous reporting period, even though an officer is in the same position. Because of this, scores might be different and therefore not able to demonstrate direct growth from one OER to the next. If an officer had a large project they organized and managed in one reporting period, their OER scores would reflect this increased level of effort. As the project is complete and the officer manages more routine tasks, the scores will again match their performance in the billet. Scores should reflect actual performance of duties and may not necessarily always continue an upward trajectory over time.

Most afloat OERs submitted are first reviewed by Marine Center XOs to ensure scoring is accurate and OERs are completed properly. Similarly, aviation OERs go through several levels of review. CPC OER reviewers and validators carefully read OERs to ensure the text provided fully justifies the score. If the text sufficiently justifies the score, then the OER will be validated. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact the Chief, Officer Career Management Division, CDR Emily Rose, chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov.

Reminder re: Unofficial Foreign Travel

As we approach the fall and the follow-on holiday season, all officers are reminded of their personal foreign travel responsibilities. Borrowed from the most recent Department of Commerce Office of Security (OSY) Quarterly Information Security Tips newsletter (see OSY’s September 3, 2025, broadcast email), unofficial foreign travel is required to be reported by Department personnel holding a security clearance or in a sensitive position that is eligible for a security clearance, also known as “covered personnel.” Covered personnel include all cleared employees, NOAA Corps Officers, and federal advisory committee members. Covered personnel shall report travel through the Department’s Reporting Portal at least 30 days prior to travel to the extent possible. The Reporting Portal requires access to a Department network or Virtual Private Network (VPN). For more information on Covered Personnel reporting requirements, please see the Personnel Security office Reporting Requirements site.

From the Assignment Desk: Billet# 7211: Chief of Staff US IOOS Program

• Bin Type: Pre-CO
• Rotation Date: July 2026

The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Office is looking for a motivated post-XO officer to become the next Chief of Staff. This new position will provide an excellent opportunity to work in a program where leadership and vision are "must have" capabilities, along with strong project management skills. The Officer will work closely in a small office with a broad mission and will have near constant interactions with leadership (ZA-V and SES) as well as with other leaders across NOS and NOAA as well as the many regional ocean observing organizations across the United States.

Billet duties include providing executive level staff support for the Director and Deputy Director, participating or representing IOOS on NOS or other boards/committees at the Deputy Director’s discretion, and overseeing office decision making workflows. The Chief of Staff will also analyze program performance, identify risks, and serve as the lead for emergency response coordination within IOOS. This billet provides countless opportunities for a well-organized and detail oriented officer who thrives in a collaborative environment.

Interested officers should reach out to the incumbent officer, LCDR Aaron Colohan (aaron.d.colohan@noaa.gov),CDR Aaron Maggied, Technical Liaison (aaron.maggied@noaa.gov) or the Deputy Director, U.S. IOOS Office (Krisa.arzayus@noaa.gov) for more information.