Seal of the NOAA Commissioned Corps

Flag of the NOAA Commissioned Corps

Brief history

The NOAA Commissioned Corps, established in 1917 as the Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps, and then as the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) Corps from 1965-1970, traces its roots back to the former U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, which dates back to 1807 and President Thomas Jefferson. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey officers were commissioned so that under the laws of war, they could not be executed as spies if they were serving as surveyors on a battlefield.

The NOAA Corps today provides a cadre of professionals trained in engineering, earth sciences, oceanography, meteorology, fisheries science, and other related disciplines. Officers operate ships, fly aircraft, manage research projects, conduct diving operations, and serve in staff positions throughout NOAA.

Uniforms

The NOAA Corps uses the same ranks as the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard commissioned officers, from Ensign to Vice Admiral. NOAA Corps now wears the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), the same as the United States Coast Guard for all of its work uniforms, replacing the previously used USN working uniforms. NOAA Corps also wears the Service Dress Blues (SDBs) and Service Dress Whites of the US Navy but wear special corps insignia to identify them as a member of the NOAA Corps. The Vice Admiral rank however is no longer an active grade and the current highest ranking officer in the NOAA Corps is a two-star Rear Admiral. Corps officers also receive the same pay and grade as their military counterparts. Corps officers receive direct commissions into the service, much as the other Uniformed Services of the United States induct officers via direct commission officer programs.

<gallery> Image:Botc112 group.jpg|Here is an example of NOAA Corps Officers wearing the US Navy Service Dress Blues Image:ODU1.JPG|A NOAA Corps Officer wearing the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) Image:ODU2.JPG|The uniform ball cap that is worn with the ODU </gallery> Note: The only officer to hold the grade of vice admiral in the NOAA Corps was Vice Admiral H. Arnold Karo.

Commissioned officer ranks

Commissioned Officer Rank Structure of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps
Vice Admiral (inactive grade)	Rear Admiral (upper half)	Rear Admiral (lower half)	Captain
O-9	O-8	O-7	O-6

Commander	Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant	Lieutenant, Junior Grade	Ensign
O-5	O-4	O-3	O-2	O-1

Leadership

• RADM Jonathan W. Bailey -- Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and Director, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
• RDML Philip M. Kenul -- Director, Marine and Aviation Operations Centers
• Captain Brad B. Kearse http://www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/cpc/cpcPersonnelPages/biocpcdir.html -- Director, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center

Notes

• The illustrations above bear the star of naval officers rather than a triangle within a circle worn by NOAA officers.
• Officers are designated with the abbreviation NOAA, not USN.
• NOAA Corps officers cannot hold dual commissions with another uniformed service, though inter-service transfers are allowed.

See also

• NOAA ships and aircraft

References

• NOAA Directives and Appendices in pdf format

External links

• NOAA Corps
  • NOAA Marine Operations
  • NOAA Aircraft Operations
• NOAA Corps uniform insignia and http://www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/about/insignia.html
• NOAA Corps Marching Song
• NOAA Home

This article incorporates material taken from the public domain website of the NOAA Corps.