NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps 101

Presenters: LT Dustin Picard, Field Recruiting Officer, NOAA Corps Recruiting & LT Conor Maginn, OMAO, Pilot

1:06 LT Dustin Picard Intro
2:26 LT Conor Maginn Intro
3:48 What is the NOAA Corps?
5:57 Requirements for Application
6:47 Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC)
8:38 Ship Assignments
9:59 Aviation Assignments
13:31 Shipboard Duties
14:50 Oceanographic Vessel
16:48 Fisheries Research Vessel
18:53 Hydrographic Survey Vessel
20:48 NOAA Corps Divers
22:34 Shore Assignments
25:46 Pictures from the field
30:09 Are there opportunities to complete an advanced degree (paid for by the NOAA Corps)? Yes.
31:47 Can officers switch between maritime and aviation career tracks? Yes.
32:41 Are there civlian positions that work directly with the NOAA Corps? Yes.
33:52 How deep can aerial surveys map the seabed compared to hydrographic vessels?
34:32 Why are the Hurricane Hunters named after Muppet characters?
35:42 What are some height restrictions for some of your aviation operations?
36:36 Are those applying for aviation expected to have prior flight experience? No.
37:55 How far in advance are the aviation schedules set?
38:50 How often do security clearances get denied, and where in the process would it occur?
40:18 Do you have to have a specific background to serve on hydrographic ships?
41:27 Is the NOAA Corps training officers in uncrewed systesms (i.e. drone piloting)? Yes
42:38 How hard is it to be selected for dive school?
43:56 Can you talk more broadly about Alaska operations?
47:16 How long are you at sea before returning to shore?
48:47 How do crews stay entertained while at sea?
50:30 How long are the aviation deployments, how long are you away?
51:45 Is there a maximum age for starting BOTC?
52:23 What has been your coolest experience?
54:05 What would you recommend for those interested in joining the NOAA Corps?

About the Speakers:
LT Dustin Picard is a NOAA Corps Field Recruiting Officer with the OMAO Commissioned Personnel Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of Maryland, as well as a Master of Science in Marine Resource and Management from Texas A&M University. He graduated from Basic Officer Training Class 122 in 2013 and has since served in a variety of billets. He is very excited for the opportunity to mentor applicants and positively impact the future of the NOAA Corps.

LT Conor Maginn has proudly served in the NOAA Corps for 8 years and is currently a pilot for the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (AOC). He specializes in operating "low and slow" aboard the diverse Twin Otter aircraft. He will present on how NOAA Corps Officers assist in the many operations of AOC, from 600 feet over the ocean conducting marine mammal observations for NMFS to 45,000 ft above a storm conducting hurricane surveillance missions for NWS.