Frequently Asked Questions
Question
What must my major(s) be to apply for the NOAA Commissioned Officers Corps program?
Applicants must receive a four-year degree. All majors are acceptable, however, engineering, the physical and life sciences, or mathematics are preferred. All candidates must meet minimum course requirements, regardless of the degree they hold.
Question
Can NOAA Corps officers donate unused leave under the leave transfer program?
In 1988, Congress passed a law providing a way for federal employees to share leave. The intent is that if a federal employee - or a family member - experiences a medical emergency, and as a result misses more work days than are covered by his or her own leave, they can avoid the additional hardship of lost income by using leave hours donated by others. You can learn more about this program at the DOC Human Resources website or the NOAA Workforce Management site.
There are some exceptions to the policy. Although NOAA Corps officers are federal employees, commissioned officer leave is governed by different laws than civilian leave. NOAA Corps officer leave is therefore not included in the leave transfer program.
Question
What are the educational requirements to apply for NOAA Corps?
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree awarded from a postsecondary institution accredited by the U. S. Department of Education. Accreditation can be verified at the Department of Education website. Preferably the applicant's major is in a course of study related to NOAA's scientific or technical activities.
All applicants, regardless of degree(s) awarded, must have completed at least 48 semester (72 quarter) hours in science, math or engineering course work pertaining to NOAA's missions.
For more information click on eligibility requirements
Question
Can I apply for NOAA Corps if I am not a US citizen?
As a uniformed service of the United States, NOAA Corps only accepts applicants who are US citizens. All applicants must speak, read and write English fluently.
For more information click on eligibility requirements
Question
What is the age limit to join NOAA Corps?
The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps no longer has a maximum age requirement.
For more information click on eligibility requirements
Question
What are NOAA Corps vision requirements?
An applicant must have normal color vision, an uncorrected visual acuity no worse than 20/400 in each eye, and their vision must be correctable to 20/20.
NOAA Corps medical standards are based on the requirements for officer candidates set forth in the United States Coast Guard medical manual for commissioned officers. Any potential disqualifying conditions will be addressed using an Individualized Assessment process.
For more information click on eligibility requirements
Question
What is the salary of a NOAA Corps Officer?
NOAA Corps Officers are paid on a military pay scale. The pay amount is based on rank, time in service, marital status, and where you live.
For more information click on Pay and Benefits
Question
I have a private pilot's license; can I be commissioned as an aviator?
NOAA Corps has multiple venues for recruiting pilots:
- Personnel brought in as an Inter-Service Transfer from the U.S. Navy for the distinct purpose of P-3 support.
- Active aviators with a commercial airplane multiengine land certificate with instrument rating (or military equivalent) brought in as Inter-Service Transfer from another US Active Duty Service for the purpose of flying NOAA's light aircraft platforms.
- Non-Aviators or those with less than a commercial airplane multiengine certificate with instrument rating may be considered for flight training following the Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC) and an initial sea assignment. The NOAA Corps may select aviators from (BOTC) to report directly to aviation training contingent on the needs of the service.
Note: An officer is not guaranteed aviation training upon commissioning. Pilots and Navigators have strict vision and other physical requirements.
Question
I am currently in another branch of service, how can I transition into NOAA Corps?
NOAA Corps has two venues to transition from another branch of service:
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Inter-Service Transfer:
Requests for Inter-Service Transfer to NOAA Corps are evaluated individually. The decision to accept or deny an Inter-Service Transfer request is based on the immediate needs of NOAA Corps and the rank, skills, and experience of the applicant. Qualified Inter-Service Transfer applicants may be considered for direct placement in NOAA's aviation or maritime program.
All Inter-Service Transfer applicants must have less than 12 years total creditable service time and rank no higher than O-4.
Commissioned officers retain their rank at 100%. Enlisted and Reserve personnel are not eligible for Inter-Service Transfers.
For more information click on Inter-Service Transfer
Note: Banner at top of page will indicate type of Inter-Service Transfer applicants (aviation/maritime) NOAA Corps is currently accepting.
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New Recruit:
Prior service members (commissioned/enlisted) and reservist applicants that do not qualify for an Inter-Service Transfer may apply for the NOAA Corps as a new recruit. New recruits must be fully discharged or a conditional release authorized prior to the start of BOTC training. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements
Prior commissioned officers receive credits of at least 50% of their commissioned service time for promotion purposes. If creditable service time is granted, it will be applied upon appointment to the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) or above. 100% of all prior creditable service time is used for pay/retirement purposes.
Prior enlisted personnel receive no credit for promotional purposes. 100% of prior creditable service time is used for pay/retirement purposes.
Note: 4 or more years of creditable service qualifies for O-1E pay; For more information click on Pay and Benefits
For more information click on New Recruits. All new recruits attend the same Basic Officer Training regardless of prior service.
Question
If I am a retired service member, can I join NOAA Corps?
Retiring from any of the other six uniform services makes an applicant ineligible for appointment.
