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 July 31, 2026  

Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps,

The NOAA Corps has a couple of exciting events kicking off over the next few weeks. Next week we will hold a Biennial Review of NOAA Corps Officer OPFs in Boulder, CO. The Board will be comprised of six Captains and six Commanders. Their charge is to review the OPFs of every officer from the rank of ENS to CDR (CAPT reviews are conducted biennially during odd-numbered years). The goal is to review OPFs and provide feedback to RADM Cary and CPC regarding their observations on career progression, performance, assignments, training, and overall health of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Their review and feedback will give leadership insight into how well we are preparing officers to take on higher-level responsibilities as their careers progress. The analysis also allows us to apply any service-wide course corrections that may be necessary to ensure a highly effective and functional NOAA Corps into the future.

Additionally, we are mere weeks away from welcoming BOTC 148 into the NOAA Corps family as Officer Candidates. 11 new BOTC candidates are scheduled to report to New London, CT, on 24 AUG, and they will take the Oath of Office on 25 AUG. As always, NOAA Corps Recruiting, NOAA Corps Medical, and all of the Officers who assisted with interviews and the BOTC Board, have put in a monumental level of effort to get BOTC 148 to this point. Thank you for that! I’m incredibly excited to meet the 11 new OCs as they begin their NOAA Corps careers!

All the Best,

Captain Ryan Wattam, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

NOAA Corps 30-Day Core Challenge

Starting August 1, we're kicking off the NOAA Corps 30-Day Core Challenge!

Challenge yourself. Build strength. Stay mission-ready.

There is a sign-up sheet which includes a tracker and the 30-Day Core Challenge schedule. 

Starts: August 1

Sign-up sheet and tracker here: 30-Day Core Sign-up Sheet

Looking forward to taking on this challenge together, encouraging one another, and staying accountable every step of the way.

By the end of these 30 days, we'll all be standing a little taller with stronger cores, better posture, and greater confidence. Upright in every sense of the word

Rachel  Saunders

The Authorization of Non-Conventional Lodging while on TLE/TLA

Non-conventional lodging such as Airbnbs and VRBOs are authorized. With many PCS locations not near “Integrated Lodging Program” locations that are on military installations, the authorization of non-conventional lodging is acceptable only if conventional lodging is not available or suitable. Conventional lodging is your regularly used hotels such at Marriott, Hilton, IHG etc. These hotels are highly recommended to try first because they will use military rates and/or discounts.                                                                                                  

If conventional lodging is not available, the use of non-conventional lodging is authorized. However, there are some requirements that must be followed in order to be fully reimbursed.

1. The service member is responsible for any charges in excess of the per diem rate.                                                                                                                                          For example, a service member and spouse need 5 days of TLE from August 1st to August 5th and no conventional lodging is available then choose to rent an Airbnb. The service member must understand that the maximum lodging daily rate is $183.00 according to the DTMO website. So, if the member purchases and Airbnb and the daily rate is at $215 per day, the member will only be reimbursed at the $183.00 rate.    
2. If the service member obtains lodging through an online booking agent, reimbursement is authorized only when the traveler provides a documented itemized receipt for room costs from the hotel or online booking agent showing the following charges                                                                                                                            
   1. Daily hotel room costs
   2. Daily hotel taxes
   3. Daily miscellaneous fees

It is up to the service member to get an itemized receipt in order to be reimbursed. If the receipt is not itemized, there will be no reimbursement of the lodging.

Note: Only itemized charges are considered for reimbursement.  Online booking receipts often break out the cost of the room, but combine taxes and fees.  In such cases, only the room cost is reimbursed because the receipt does not separately itemize taxes and fees.

This information can be found in the July 2026 edition of the JTR in chapter 2, 020303 Lodging.

On the Horizon 

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

Cyberflash is a NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center publication for active duty and retired members, families and supporters of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Questions? Contact noaacorps.policy@noaa.gov