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September 11, 2026

Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps,

Today marks 25 years since the attack on 9/11, and I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of life on that tragic day in our history. Many of us remember the exact moment we heard the news—whether out at sea hearing about a changed world hours later, in the air receiving direct orders to land as soon as practical, at a desk scrambling to find a TV, or in a classroom hearing the news with family or classmates. Acknowledging that some NOAA Corps officers likely first learned of the tragic events through history books serves as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and how long I have been wearing this uniform.

When the news broke, I was a college freshman, sitting in my dorm room alongside a roommate who shared my deep commitment to service. In the immediate aftermath, our parents—both Navy veterans—advised us to prioritize completing our degrees before deciding how we could best serve our country. Following their guidance ultimately led me to discover the NOAA Corps, a path I might not have otherwise found. While every branch of the Uniformed Services fulfills an honorable calling, I remain profoundly grateful for the privilege of serving our Nation in support of NOAA’s vital scientific mission.

I am incredibly proud of the contributions NOAA Corps Officers make to NOAA and the Nation. Thank you all for your service!

All the Best,

Captain Ryan Wattam, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

BOTC 148 Underway

Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC) 148 is officially underway! The class, along with their Coast Guard shipmates in Officer Candidate School (OCS) 1-27, have completed Indoctrination week. BOTC 148 has learned officership, drill and ceremony, the NOAA Corps Core Values, and important NOAA policies and regulations. They will kick off their leadership training next week with the Coast Guard beginning with the "Leadership Challenge: Orienteering & Model the Way," various leadership scenarios, Basic Safety, Buttercup training, and Survival at Sea.

The class had their first Sponsor Engagement with NOAA Corps sponsor RDML van Westendorp who shared his personal leadership philosophy, the expectations of a junior officer, and emphasized the importance of inter-agency partnerships.

Upcoming important dates include Billet Night: October 15th, Graduation: November 19th, and BOTC post-graduation training November 20th- December 18th.

Fitness and Body Composition Submission Requirements 

Each year, from September 1st through October 31st, NOAA Corps officers must submit an updated Personal Fitness Plan, Body Mass Index, and Body Composition Analysis (as needed) through the Body Composition and Fitness sections in OPF online.

• You can access a “How-to Guide” here.
• You can access the PFP form here.

Please refer to NOAA Corps Directives, Chapter 16, for further guidance.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Dietitian Nutritionist Program Manager at rachel.saunders@noaa.gov.

From the Assignments Desk

The NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC), is seeking an officer to fill the new NOAA Cooperative Aviation Center (NCAC) Advisor billet, #0520 - Pre-XO/Land Tour 1 bin, located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The newly-established NCAC program partners OMAO with select, accredited collegiate aviation universities to address the growing need for highly skilled aviation professionals within the NOAA Corps. The program's central goal is to foster and inspire the next generation of NOAA Corps aviators through STEM-focused academic partnerships that emphasize mentorship, service, leadership, and operational excellence.

The officer selected for this three-year fixed shore assignment will serve as the central administrative liaison between OMAO, partnering university administrators, and the student body. The NCAC Advisor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of program execution, which includes managing a significant budget and facilitating the selection of up to six NCAC students annually. Routine duties involve coordinating student selection boards and in-person interviews at the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), initiating background investigations, credentialing/overseeing student personnel qualification standards (PQS), and meticulously planning logistics for a 10-week summer internship at the AOC.

This high-visibility billet provides proactive, detail-oriented officers with the opportunity to gain extensive executive leadership, technical writing, and project management experience. The chosen officer will deliver articulate, impactful briefings to senior NOAA, CPC, and OMAO leadership, build collaborative strategic partnerships with universities nationwide, and directly shape the future pipeline of NOAA Corps aviators.

Interested officers should send biographies and resumes to CAPT Emily Rose, chief.careermgmt.cpc@noaa.gov, and reach out to CAPT Rose with any questions. This position is not exclusive to aviators and all qualified and interested candidates will be considered. 

Special Event: NOAA Heritage Week 2026

The NOAA Heritage Program invites active duty and retired NOAA Corps officers to participate in NOAA Heritage Week 2026. This weeklong celebration will take place Sept. 21-26 and will include livestreamed special presentations about NOAA’s history and heritage, access to the traveling “Treasures of NOAA’s Ark” exhibit, which is returning to Silver Spring, MD, after a long nationwide tour, and more. NOAA staff are invited to see the exhibit Sept. 21-25 and attend live talks in the NOAA Science Center. The celebration will culminate with a free public open day on Sept. 26 on NOAA’s Silver Spring campus. Special NOAA Heritage Week displays will focus on the history of the Coast & Geodetic Survey and NOAA Corps, including the steam whistle from the 1917 ship Surveyor, as well as historic uniforms, medals, and insignia. 

Never-before-exhibited artifacts include a painting of the 1930s survey ship Oceanographer and a collection of items related to a pilot who flew during the Thunderstorm Project in 1946-47. Don’t miss it! For more information and to register for the public day, visit the NOAA Heritage Week website.

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

On the Horizon 

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