Chad Cary to Lead NOAA Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
The U.S. Senate confirmed on Thursday President Biden’s nomination of NOAA Rear Adm. Chad Cary to lead the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).“Supporting the nation’s environmental and economic security is one of the Biden-Harris Administration’s top priorities and the NOAA Corps, NOAA’s fleet, and the dedicated professionals who operate these critical components of our infrastructure are vital in fulfilling that mission,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Rear Adm. Cary’s
NOAA Promotes Nancy Hann to Deputy Under Secretary
NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Rear Adm. Nancy A. Hann has been selected for promotion to the rank of vice admiral and will serve as NOAA’s deputy under secretary for operations, beginning August 2024. Since 2021, Hann has served as director of the NOAA Corps and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).In her new role as deputy under secretary for operations, Hann will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency's national and international operations for oceanic and atmospheric services, research and coastal and marine stewardship.“Vice Adm. (select) Hann
Help Wanted: US Maritime Industry Struggles to Fill Key Gaps
has not improved; in fact, it has only gotten worse.“Globally standardized credentialing requirements have had an impact on the U.S. Merchant Marine. And of course, the maritime industry—like many other industries—has also been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, Maritime Administrator, said during a House committee hearing in May 2023. “Both of these developments have negatively impacted mariner retention.”In a recent interview for Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, Commander of U.S. Military
US Navy Expands Shipyard Talent Pipeline in Southern California
suppliers across the region to create maritime-focused manufacturing pipelines that revitalize the defense workforce by addressing critical skill gaps."The strength of the talent pipeline is as vital as any capability of a submarine," said Program Executive Officer Undersea Warfare Systems Rear Adm. Todd Weeks and executive sponsor, Southern California Talent Pipeline Project. "The skilled tradespeople we need, whether welders, machinists, electricians, and more are the structural foundation that will allow us to build and maintain the world's most advanced submarines.&rdquo
Texas A&M to Reduce Tuition For Merchant Mariner License Students
shortage that has only worsened post-COVID.“The new fee structure demonstrates that we are listening to our industry partners and we are acting — Texas A&M is fully committed to helping recruit and develop qualified and skilled maritime professionals to fill these needs,” said Rear Adm. Michael E. Fossum, vice president of Texas A&M, chief operating officer of the Galveston Campus and superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy
US Naval Construction Group 2 Welcomes Its First Woman Commander
Jones became the first enlisted woman Seabee when she cross-rated into the community as an equipment operator during the summer of 1972 following former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr.’s issuance of Z-gram 116 which authorized limited entry of women into all enlisted ratings.Rear Adm. (ret.) Katherine Gregory was the first woman to command a battalion when she assumed command of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in 1999. Gregory later rose to the rank of rear admiral before she retired as Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the chief of civil engineers in 2015
Rear Adm Nunan First Woman Appointed USMMA Superintendent
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan (U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.) as the next superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at every level both afloat and ashore. She will begin work at the Academy in a few weeks.Rear Admiral Nunan retired earlier this year as the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment
Workforce Development: Apprenticeship Programs Help Build the Fleet
and repair yards have always been concerned with training new workers, the challenge today is especially acute because senior level workers are retiring, and, as a group, the current workforce lacks the appropriate array of digital skills to fully utilize the next generation of tools, said retired Rear Adm. Brad Williamson, the executive director of the Hampton Roads Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE).“The new workers who will build Columbia-class submarines when that program is at full rate production are in now middle school. These same workers will need to be trained in modern equipment
US Coast Guard Rolls Out New Mentoring Program
and underrepresented minorities. Research has also shown that mentoring plays a vital role in creating a motivated and satisfied workforce.“Mentoring aligns with Commandant Karl Schultz’s number one strategic priority to cultivate an inclusive, mission-ready total workforce,” said Rear Adm. Joanna Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. “Improving personal readiness and resilience supports our efforts to protect the American people and our Nation. We also know mentoring is important to our personnel, and this new program will provide our members additional opportunities
Coast Guard Academy to Hold Virtual Graduation
of Homeland Security is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Adm. Karl Schultz, the Commandant of the Coast Guard will also provide remarks."This decision was made in the best interest of the health and well-being of our entire Academy family and our local community,” said Rear Adm. Bill Kelly, the Academy’s Superintendent.“I'd like to thank our faculty and staff who have made it possible to graduate the Class of 2020 on time, and deliver them to their duty stations prepared to serve our nation. The entire Academy community has come together to match an unprecedente
Roughead Joins Fincantieri Marinette Marine Board
;s interaction with Congress. He also was the deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command.In addition to serving on corporate and university boards, Roughead is the Robert and Marion Oster Distinguished Military Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.Also joining the Board of Directors is Rear Adm. Kevin M. Sweeney, who retired from the Navy in 2014, and was most recently the chief of staff for Jim Mattis during his tenure as the Secretary of Defense.Sweeny has 32 years of operational experience including commands of multiple strike groups and surface combatants
USMMA Class of 2022 Sworn into USNR
they are joining at a time when their presence is most important to our country. He congratulated them on their progress thus far before administering the oath of a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy Reserve.Once sworn-in, the Plebes joined the Regiment of Midshipmen and marched past the reviewing officers, Rear Adm. James A. Helis, Superintendent of the Academy, Capt. Urwiller, and Cdr. Andrew McCarthy, Deputy Commandant of Cadets.“Today’s event marks another significant milestone at the Academy, but in particular for the Class of 2022,” Helis said. “It’s a great moment in their
SUNY Maritime, Greece Maritime Academy Begin Collaboration
Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis, president of SUNY Maritime College, and Cmdr. H.C.G. Danopoulos Evangelos, of the National Merchant Maritime Academy of Hydra, Greece, recently signed a memorandum of agreement to establish an articulation agreement between the two maritime institutions. It also allows the two institutions to develop further partnerships and find additional areas of cooperation. The agreement, signed earlier this week, will allow the Greek students, upon completion of their program at Hydra, to transfer to SUNY Maritime College to earn a Bachelor of Science in Marine Operations.
Military to Maritime Digital Career Platform Launched
, repair, maintain and modernize the largest and most sophisticated Navy and Coast Guard vessels in the world, and do the same for the nation's 40,000 commercial vessels. The U.S. military, the most powerful military in the world, relies on U.S. flag vessels crewed by U.S. civilian mariners,” said Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration. “As part of our coordinated effort across the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the commercial maritime industry, the Maritime Administration is working to make it easier for transitioning
Class of ’17 Graduates Ingalls Apprentice Program
; Apprentice School has produced nearly 5,000 graduates trained to fulfill the shipyard’s operational needs. The program offers a comprehensive two- to four-year curriculum, in partnership with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, for students interested in shipbuilding careers. Rear Adm. William Galinis, the U.S. Navy’s program executive officer, ships, was the keynote speaker. “The Navy will soon look to Ingalls Shipbuilding—to you—to restore the USS Fitzgerald and return her to service,” he said. “We will rely on you, on your team, your skill
SUNY Maritime Graduates 17 to US Navy
;s valedictorian and was recognized the next day at the commencement ceremony. He was one of the three Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program selectees graduating from SUNY Maritime College this year to receive his commission. During the ceremony, which was held under sunny skies in St. Mary’s Pentagon, Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne, commander of Military Sealift Command, addressed the midshipmen and their families. “You are joining an impressive naval heritage. Men and women of courage and commitment have gone before you, making our U.S. Navy the great institution it is today,” Mewbourne said
Frangou to SUNY Maritime Grads: Take Risks
;s degrees. More than 150 of the graduates also earned their U.S. Coast Guard licenses, which qualify them to work on board commercial vessels as third mates or third assistant engineers. “Some of you soon will be sailing on your deck or engine license for the first time,” said Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis, president of the college. “Some will be working in other areas of the maritime industry, others may be pursuing other opportunities outside the maritime industry, and some of you have elected to serve in the armed forces.” The day before commencement, 17 students
