NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known informally as the NOAA Corps, is one of eight federal uniformed services of the United States, and operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a scientific agency overseen by the Department of Commerce. The NOAA Corps is made up of scientifically and technically trained officers. The NOAA Corps and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps are the only U.S. uniformed services that consist only of commissioned officers, with no enlisted or warrant officer ranks. The NOAA Corps' primary mission is to monitor oceanic conditions, support major waterways, and monitor atmospheric conditions.
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps | |
| Founded | 22 May 1917 (106 years, 8 months) |
| Country | United States |
| Type | Uniformed service |
| Size | 321 officers 15 ships 10 aircraft |
| Part of | NOAA |
| Garrison/HQ | Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S. |
| Nickname(s) | "NOAA Corps" |
| Motto(s) | "Science, service, stewardship." |
| Colors | |
| March |
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| Engagements | |
| Website | NOAA Corps |
| Commanders | |
| Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps | RADM Nancy Hann |
| Deputy Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps | RDML Chad M. Cary |
| Director, Office of Coast Survey | RDML Benjamin K. Evans |
| Notable commanders | VADM H. Arnold Karo RADM Evelyn J. Fields VADM Michael S. Devany |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Reconnaissance | WP-3D, G-IV, AC-695A, DHC-6, 350CER, DHC-6-300 |
The NOAA Corps traces its origins to the establishment of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps on May 22, 1917, which the service recognizes as its official birthday. The Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps became the Environmental Science Services Administration Corps (ESSA Corps) in 1965, which in turn became the NOAA Corps in 1970.