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October 8, 2026

Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps,

As you will see in the article below, BOTC 148 is progressing well through the program. Next week is an important and exciting milestone for them: Billet Night! On Thursday evening, 15 November, our 11 Officer Candidates will each learn their initial operational assignment as NOAA Corps Officers. I’m incredibly excited to be present to share in the experience and help them celebrate on this exciting evening.

Billet night will be live-streamed, and we will send out the livestream link next week for anyone who wants to watch as BOTC 148 and OCS 1-27 receive their assignments.

All the Best,

Captain Ryan Wattam, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

BOTC 148 Continues Training 

Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC) 148 is continuing their training and now halfway through the program. Over the past two weeks, the class has had the opportunity to participate in more hands-on training events while continuing to build the knowledge and skills needed as future NOAA Corps officers. The class recently completed Basic Seamanship and learned about Compass and ATONS. BOTC 148 put these skills into practice aboard Coast Guard T-boats, giving the class hands-on experience with what was learned in the classroom. 

BOTC 148 is looking forward to upcoming classwork and training in Rules of the Road, Basic and Advanced Firefighting, Shiphandling, and Navigation. 

Written by BOTC 148 Officer Candidates

From the Assignments Desk

The Aviation Weather Center (AWC), a National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) facility in Kansas City, MO, provides 24/7/365 monitoring and forecasting of en route aviation weather hazards across national and international airspace. AWC is seeking a dedicated NOAA Corps officer (O-5/CDR target) to serve as Executive Officer (XO). In this executive development role, the officer will work directly alongside NWS National Center leadership to help shape strategic vision and center-wide priorities while maintaining operational quality standards.

Key focus areas for this billet include:

• Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership: Taking direct ownership of running AWC’s ISO 9001 certified QMS, including leading internal audits, Quarterly Management Reviews, and Annual Operating Plan Reviews to uphold global accreditation standards.
• Personnel Leadership & Supervision: Gaining practical supervisory experience by providing operational direction and serving in supervisory roles for a multi-disciplinary team ranging from GS-07 to GS-15 civil service personnel.
• Strategic Planning & Governance: Contributing to operational policy, research-to-operations (R2O) integration, and long-range strategic planning alongside center leadership.
• Resource Oversight: Administering financial controls and serving as property custodian/contact for over $7.5M in accountable assets.

In addition to driving core operational functions, this assignment provides direct exposure to high-level administrative governance, inter-agency coordination (FAA, ICAO, WMO), and senior NWS/NOAA leadership. Working closely within National Center leadership naturally builds a comprehensive executive skill set and a strong track record for future promotion.

Officers interested in this executive development opportunity should send a statement of interest to Debra Blondin, Acting Director AWC (Debra.Blondin@noaa.gov) and LCDR Colleen Conley (Colleen.Conley@noaa.gov)

Guidance for Election Season

Fall is finally here and that means local, state, and Federal elections are just around the corner! As you all engage in our nation’s democratic process, please keep in mind that all NOAA Corps officers are legally subject to regulatory guidelines outlined in Chapter 9 of the NOAA Corps Directives and all non-commissioned Federal employees are subject to legal requirements in the Hatch Act. NOAA Corps officers and other Federal employees should review the links provided above to fully understand permitted and prohibited activities.

All political or election-related activities (including posting or liking political content online) must take place off duty hours, out of uniform, outside of Federal facilities, in your personal capacity, and without using government-furnished equipment. If you have questions about specific activities or circumstances, please reach out to Dr. Ashley Booth (OMAO Legislative Affairs) at ashley.booth@noaa.gov.

Generally, NOAA Corps Officers may, in their personal capacity and when not in uniform:

• Attend fundraising events, rallies, conventions, or debates as a spectator.
• Vote and express personal opinions on political candidates and issues. This includes sharing opinions on social media but does not include sharing links to or reposting partisan political content.
• Join partisan or nonpartisan political clubs, meetings, fundraising activities, rallies, debates, conventions, or activities as long as no inference or appearance of approval can be drawn from attendance.
• Sign a petition for a legislative action or to place a candidate’s name on a ballot. 
• Contribute financially to a political organization, party, or committee.
• Display a political bumper sticker on their private vehicle.

NOAA Corps Officers may not:

• Accept nomination or serve as an elected official (including school boards or neighborhood planning commissions) without prior approval.
• Promote partisan political candidates, or participate in partisan political fundraising activities, rallies, conventions, campaign management, debates, parades, or gatherings outside of spectating. 
• Write or publish partisan articles, letters, or endorsements that solicit votes for political causes or candidates. 
• Solicit political funding in Federal facilities, receive campaign contributions from active duty uniformed service members, or promote partisan fundraising events. 
• Share links or content from a partisan political party, candidate, campaign, or cause on social media.
• Display a large political sign on a private vehicle or at one’s residence at a military or federal installation. 
• Transport voters to polls as part of partisan effort.

Fitness and Body Composition Submission Requirements

NOAA Corps officers must submit an updated Personal Fitness Plan, BMI and BCA (as needed) through the Fitness and Body Composition sections in their OPF no later than EOB October 31, 2026.

• You can access the PFP form here. 
• You can access the “How-to Guide” here for uploading your PFP. 

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

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

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