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NOAA Corps, a small group of uniformed scientists and specialists, turns 100 today (May 22)
Source: Washington Post
NOAA Corps, a small group of uniformed scientists and specialists, turns 100 today
By John Hopewell May 22 at 3:30 PM
If you take a walk through the halls of the Department of Commerce, you’ll notice among scientists and administrators a handful of uniformed officers. You won’t recognize the insignia as a branch of the military — these officers are nonmilitary, although they play a vital role in defense.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known as the NOAA Corps, is one of just two uniformed services with no enlisted or warrant officers. The corps is made up of engineers, oceanographers, geologists and meteorologists (among others) who support federal departments in earth science projects.
There are two clear advantages of having nearly 400 uniformed specialists. Unlike civilians, they can be moved rapidly from project to project and — in the case of war — can be deployed quickly to support the military itself.
In fact, that’s why the NOAA Corps was established as a commissioned officer group 100 years ago. If one of the officers is captured by an enemy, they could not be executed as a spy — something their civilian predecessors risked.
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By John Hopewell May 22 at 3:30 PM
If you take a walk through the halls of the Department of Commerce, you’ll notice among scientists and administrators a handful of uniformed officers. You won’t recognize the insignia as a branch of the military — these officers are nonmilitary, although they play a vital role in defense.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known as the NOAA Corps, is one of just two uniformed services with no enlisted or warrant officers. The corps is made up of engineers, oceanographers, geologists and meteorologists (among others) who support federal departments in earth science projects.
There are two clear advantages of having nearly 400 uniformed specialists. Unlike civilians, they can be moved rapidly from project to project and — in the case of war — can be deployed quickly to support the military itself.
In fact, that’s why the NOAA Corps was established as a commissioned officer group 100 years ago. If one of the officers is captured by an enemy, they could not be executed as a spy — something their civilian predecessors risked.
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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/05/22/noaa-corps-a-small-group-of-uniformed-scientists-and-specialists-turns-100-today/
