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NOAA Corps

NOAA Corps Officers operate ships and aircraft to provide support for NOAA's missions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question

What is Basic Officer Training Class like?

Answer

For more information click on Basic Officer Training

Question

Does NOAA Corps decide where I will be stationed or will I have input?

Answer

During Basic Officer Training Class, each officer will submit a memorandum listing his/her top three choices for their first ship assignment. The needs of the service are primary and there is no guarantee of assignment. However, each officer's assignment preference and education is taken into consideration. For future assignments, whenever possible, NOAA Corps will try to match an officer's assignment with one of his/her skills, background and assignment preferences.

For more information on NOAA's fleet click on NOAA's Marine Operations

For billet descriptions click on Assignments

Question

What will I do at my first duty station?

Answer

All officers completing Basic Officer Training Class will serve up to 3 years stationed aboard one of NOAA's research vessels. General duties include familiarization with assigned ship and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Performing inport Officer of the Deck (OOD) duties; Standing navigational watches as Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD), typically in a "4 hours on, 8 hours off" schedule; Performing collateral duties as assigned (i.e. correcting navigational charts, tracking imprest fund, environmental compliance, safety and damage control, etc.)

Question

Does NOAA Corps have any summer jobs, internship or co-op opportunities?

Answer

NOAA Corps does not currently offer summer jobs, internship, or co-op employment programs. However, some civilian NOAA programs have a limited number of such opportunities depending on your specific interests. 

For more information click on NOAA Careers and NOAA Volunteer Opportunities

Question

How do I become a NOAA Corps aviator?

Answer

 The NOAA Corps has three primary annual competitive selection boards for acquiring aviators:

    1. Inter-Service Transfer (IST).  Officers commission directly into the NOAA Corps from their prior uniformed service agency. Depending on the aviator's aircraft history and FAA (equivalent) qualifications, they may be selected to operate any aircraft in the fleet.
    2. Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC).  The NOAA Corps may select pilots immediately upon their completion of BOTC to report directly to aviation training. These selects will typically begin their NOAA aviation career on our Twin Otter aircraft.
    3. Fleet-to-Aviation. A presently serving mariner (one who did not get selected at BOTC or has decided to transition to aviation at a later period in their career) may compete for a pilot position via Fleet-to-Aviation Selection Board. These selects will typically begin their NOAA aviation career on our Twin Otter aircraft.
Officers that hold less than a Commercial Multi Engine Land (MEL) Pilot Certificate-Instrument Rating will attend Flight Training. ISTs are generally selected because they hold these credentials and typically should not have to attend Flight Training. If an officer holds a Commercial MEL Pilot Certificate-Instrument Rating or greater, any follow-on training requirements will be coordinated by the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center Training Section. For any aviation specific questions, please contact the Aircraft Operations Center at AOC.ChiefAdmin@noaa.gov.

 

Question

What is the Service Time Agreement for BOTC and IST?

Answer
An officer who completes BOTC will incur an initial four year service obligation. Those officers who are selected for Initial Flight Training will incur a six year service obligation, which may be served concurrently with the initial four year service obligation. 
 
IST officers may incur up to a four year service time agreement if they require and complete Heavy Aircraft Flight Training.

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You are here: https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/noaa-corps/join/frequently-asked-questions
Reviewed: June 14, 2021. Contact us with page issues.

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