The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services. NOAA Corps officers are an integral part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and serve with the special trust and confidence of the President.
We're fortunate to have ENSP alums working there!
See article: ENSP Alumni join the NOAA Corps
With approximately 330 officers and growing, the NOAA Corps supports nearly all of NOAA’s programs and missions. The combination of commissioned service and scientific expertise makes these officers uniquely capable of leading some of NOAA’s most important initiatives.
After initial selection, officer candidates receive basic training at the NOAA Corps Training Center at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Upon successful completion of the training program, officers are commissioned as ensigns and start their career with NOAA marine or aviation operations. All of our officers serve aboard NOAA ships and/or aircraft during their career. About 80 percent of NOAA Corps officers go to sea.
Officers generally rotate between assignments on a cadence of every 2-3 years for mariners and 3-5 years for aviators. Officers typically serve in a land-based assignment between each sea or aviation assignment.
While at sea, NOAA Corps officers operate ships that map the seafloor, monitor oceanographic and atmospheric conditions, and support fisheries research. Our aviators pilot NOAA’s aircraft, including Twin Otters, King Airs, and our famous P-3 Orion and Gulfstream IV "hurricane hunters." These aircraft collect data essential to hurricane and flood prediction, nautical charting, disaster response, and resource management.
When not at sea or in the air, NOAA Corps officers apply their operational experience, expertise, and training to advance new technologies, lead program and project teams, and respond to severe weather events, oil spills, and other emergencies.
Officers have the ability to tailor their career to specific interests and aspirations. The NOAA Corps has qualifications for uncrewed system operators, divers, and small boat handlers.
Officers in land assignments support nearly every part of NOAA, facilitating scientific efforts as small boat operators, divers, logistics coordinators, liaisons, and more. As an officer's career progresses, so does their level of responsibility and leadership. A complete list of assignment descriptions can be found here.
For any questions or concerns, please contact LT Dustin Picard at chief.noaacorps.recruiting@
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