Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps,

It feels good to be back to the Cyberflash pen after this most recent and unprecedented lapse in appropriations has ended. It also feels good to once again be surrounded by our formerly furloughed colleagues and return to a sense of normalcy, working to support the needs of NOAA and the Nation.

I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I have been over the last month and a half, watching the NOAA Corps step up and support our agency’s excepted activities and each other. From performing duties beyond what would be expected within assigned billet programs, to detailing out to other NOAA programs, staff offices, and corporate services, while successfully taking on roles normally assigned to civilian professionals, the service has certainly shined. The fact that you all accomplished this feat while also facing uncertainty of when we would be monetarily compensated for this labor speaks volumes about your resilience, commitment, and character. From the bottom of my heart, I am so proud to call myself your colleague and fellow NOAA Corps officer, and I hope that you all feel the same.

Now that we are getting back into the swing of things, I want to reemphasize what I mentioned in my Director’s message last Friday about giving ourselves and each other some grace. Reconstitution after a lapse in appropriations does take time, and in my humble opinion requires patience, prioritization, and above all a thoughtful, deliberate, and safe approach to every action we take in restoring our pre-lapse workplaces and routines. Know that we are all probably a bit overwhelmed with the magnitude of items that need to be addressed, but we are addressing them together, prioritizing the health and well-being of the workforce above all. The principles that keep us together and focused on the safe accomplishment of our mission have not changed, and a periodic moment of self-reflection and/or check-in with the person next to you (physically or virtually) will continue to help keep us fresh, present, and successful.

Finally, it’s hard to believe, but the end of my tenure at CPC is rapidly approaching, and this is my second-to-last Cyberflash message. Over the next three weeks, I will be passing down my duties and responsibilities to CAPT Ryan Wattam before moving on to my next assignment. Throughout this period, I will be in a perpetual thankfulness mode for my fellow service members, our outstanding CPC staff, and the privilege of being able to work with and for you all every day. Therefore and in that spirit of this season, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday next week, and encourage you to take care of yourselves and each other.

Best Regards,

Captain Chris van Westendorp, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

NOAA Corps Payroll Update

Thank you to all of the officers who have submitted tickets into HRMS. An issue related to the incorrect lump sum payment that many members received has been identified. The Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) is actively working with U.S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) programmers on a system fix. All currently submitted tickets related to this issue will be resolved and marked complete once the corrective actions are implemented.

We would also like to clarify the status of deductions for Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions and other allotments. These deductions are processed through a separate payfile from regularly processed pay. The TSP and other allotments payfile for the month of October will be sent to the Treasury no later than Monday, November 24. Treasury processing time is approximately 48 hours for funds to post to individual accounts. The November deductions payfile will be sent on its regular schedule. There should be no interruption to TSP; however, as before, if you notice any discrepancies, please resubmit a new ticket through HRMS.

We greatly appreciate your continued patience, engagement, and professionalism as we work through these issues. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to NOAA’s mission and for representing the service with distinction.

CPC will provide further updates as more information becomes available. Please engage your supervisory chain, line office liaison officer, or CPC leadership with any questions or concerns.

Congratulations USPHS Colleagues

The Director, NOAA Corps and CPC extend their sincere congratulations to our uniformed colleagues from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) who were recently selected for promotion!

These officers are true professionals in their respective occupational specialties and vital members of the NOAA team, contributing significantly to the health, readiness, and mission support of our operations around the globe. We celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued partnership and success. The OMAO-assigned USPHS officers who were recently selected for promotion include:

• To be promoted to Captain (O-6):
  • Preciosa Pacia-Rantayo - Chief, NOAA Corps Medical Affairs, HQ, Silver Spring, MD
  • Kelly Fath - Chief, Marine Medical Branch, MOC-A, Norfolk, VA
• To be promoted to Commander (O-5):
  • Michael Reed - Marine Medical Officer, MOC-PI, Honolulu, HI
  • Beth Zalno - Deputy Chief, NOAA Corps Medical Affairs, HQ Silver Spring, MD
• To be promoted to Lieutenant (O-3):
  • Reginald Clyburn - Information Technology Officer, MACC/HQ, Silver Spring, MD

Promotion Update

Congratulations go out to the 73 NOAA Corps officers who were promoted and pinned on their new ranks effective October 1, 2025! The remaining officers who were selected for promotion in FY25 but have not yet had their promotions effected will continue to receive updates from CPC re: timing of their effecting dates. Specifically and at a minimum, CPC will reach out to these officers with a prospective effecting date when the applicable promotion package has begun routing to the NOAA Administrator. Remaining FY25 promotion selectees are encouraged to reach out to chief.personnelmgmt.cpc@noaa.gov and/or chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov with any questions regarding the promotion process and any required preparatory steps.

Updated NOAA Corps Directives (Chapters 3, 5, and 12)

The Director of CPC announced the approval and release of three key NOAA Corps Directives (NCD) chapter updates, modernizing our policies and strengthening our service. Please take some time to review the full text of the chapters and the summaries in the corresponding Messages from the Director, CPC distributed over the last week:

• Chapter 3: Medical Standards & Health Care (V2.0)
  • This comprehensive overhaul aligns NOAA Corps medical retention standards with the Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03 Vol. 2.
  • Periodic Medical Examinations (PMEs) are now required every 24 months (under age 50) or 12 months (50 and over).
  • Formalizes the Command-Directed Health Evaluation (CDHE) process and mandates a Separation Physical prior to separation/retirement.
• NCD Chapter 5- Assignments (V5.0):
  • Clearly defines Assignments, Details, and "Fleeting Up".
  • Revises response deadlines for Forthcoming Assignment Notifications for consistent and adequate planning timeframes.
  • Updates NOAA Corps Telework policy and clarifies expectations regarding duty locations.
• NCD Chapter 12- Uniforms and Awards (V8.0):
  • Authorizes the black leather Senior Watch Officer (SWO) Jacket.
  • Formally clarifies the Director's authority to make final awards decisions.
  • Updates distribution and eligibility guidelines for NCMT and NCRA ribbons.

Familiarity with these directives is essential for maintaining service professionalism and ensuring smooth career progression. Please direct any questions to noaacorps.policy@noaa.gov.

USCG Policy Updates for Mariner Credentials

The U.S. Coast Guard released two policies that are effective immediately that make changes to obtaining and renewing national officer endorsements. Both of these policy changes are intended to reduce administrative burdens and streamline career progression for mariners. Officers whose credentials may be affected by these updates are encouraged to review the policy letters in their entirety.

• Recency: The updated policy (CG-MMC Policy Letter 02-25) on recent sea service for all mariners applying for national officer endorsements on their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC):
  • What's new: the recency period for all applicants is now seven years, bringing it in alignment with the requirement for civilian mariners with that of uniformed service members. Applicants must have at least three months of qualifying service on appropriate vessels within seven years immediately before submission of their application.
• Examination Waiver for Master 500-1600 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) to Third Mate: The new policy (CG-MMC Policy Letter 01-25) reduces the examination requirements for mariners upgrading from a limited tonnage Master endorsement to an unlimited Third Mate endorsement.
  • What’s new: Mariners holding a national officer endorsement as a Master of vessels less than 500 or 1,600 GRT can now qualify for an endorsement as Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage for the same route (Near Coastal or Oceans) without further examination. Examination is still required if you are increasing the scope of credentials from Near-Coastal to Oceans.

NOAA Corps Detail Opportunity: NOAA Office of Leg. & Intergov. Affairs

OMAO’s Executive Affairs Division (EAD) is looking for officers in the grades of O3-O5 who may be interested in a detail to assist the NOAA Office of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA) in Washington, DC. Detailed officers would serve as NOAA’s official liaison between NOAA and Congress on the OMAO portfolio, and have the opportunity to work at the nexus of the legislative and executive branches. The position will work closely with OMAO and NOAA leadership, developing skills in relationship-building, technical writing, communication, and project management.

Timing and duration of detail periods are flexible, depending on supervisor support and OLIA needs. Remote details are available, though detailees must be able to travel to the National Capital Region for a minimum of two weeks during the assignment. Applicability of TDY or PCS for in-person details are dependent on the length of detail, as the needs of the service permit.

More information about the position may be found here. Officers interested in learning more or applying for the detail position, are encouraged to fill out the form linked here no later than Wednesday, December 3, 2025. OMAO EAD staff will follow up with interested officers on next steps.