Announcement
Based on our current Service need, we will not be accepting applications for Inter-Service Transfers until July 2010.

Procedures for performing an inter-service transfer (IST) to or from the NOAA Corps are prescribed by Title 10, Section 716 of U.S. Code, and Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 1300.4.

In addition to the basic eligibility requirements for appointment in the NOAA Corps, inter-service transfer applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The losing service must approve the transfer.
• Rank within the losing service must be no higher than O-3 at the time of transfer.
• Total creditable service time must be less than 10 years.

Requests for inter-service transfer to the NOAA Corps are evaluated individually. The decision to accept or deny an IST request is based on the immediate needs of the NOAA Corps and the rank, skills, and experience of the applicant. With few exceptions, officers selected for IST to the NOAA Corps will begin by attending Basic Officer Training Class A-School and serving a three-year initial assignment to one of NOAA’s survey or research vessels. IST applicants may be considered for direct placement in NOAA’s aviation program if their area of expertise would meet an urgent operational need for one of NOAA’s advanced aviation platforms (P-3, King Air, Gulfstream-IV).

IST APPLICATION PROCESS
Active duty commissioned officers who are interested in transferring to the NOAA Corps and meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an IST should submit an application package to the Officer Recruiting Branch. A complete IST application package must include the following:

• Personal Data Resume
• NOAA Form 56-42 Application for Appointment in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
• Three to five letters of recommendation using NOAA Form 56-42D. A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required for a complete application package.
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
• Copies of prior evaluation reports covering the most recent five years of service.
• Medical clearance by NOAA’s Director, Office of Health Services. Physical examination requirements for IST applicants are detailed below. Physical exams must have been performed within one year of the application submission.
• Interview evaluation. Once the application materials listed above have been received and reviewed by the Officer Recruiting Branch, an interview will be scheduled with a mid- to senior-level NOAA Corps officer. The interviewing officer will submit an evaluation directly to the Officer Recruiting Branch.

Other resumes, training certificates, or awards may be submitted at the applicant’s discretion.

All application materials except medical records should be submitted to the following address:

Commissioned Personnel Center
Attn: Officer Recruiting Branch
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Once a complete application package has been received by the Officer Recruiting Branch and a need determined for the rank, skills, and experience of the applicant, an Officer Personnel Board will be convened to consider the application for transfer.

For further information, please contact the NOAA Corps Officer Recruiting Branch. Call 800-299-6622 or email NOAACorps.Recruiting@noaa.gov.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Inter-Service Transfer applicants must submit the forms and records for laboratory/diagnostic tests listed below. All medical records should be submitted directly to the Chief, Medical Administration Branch at the following address:

Commissioned Personnel Center
Attn: Chief, Medical Administration Branch
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Medical clearance for an IST application can not be obtained without these items

• DD2808 Report of Medical Examination to include:
  • Valsalva
  • Circumference Measurements (neck, waist, hips and wrists)
  • Reading Aloud Test
• DD2807-1 Report of Medical History to include:
• DD2813 Active Duty/Reserve Forces Dental Examination
  • Complete dental exam (Type II) to include bite wing x-rays
• Authorization for Disclosure
• Privacy Act Notice
• OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire

Laboratory Studies/Diagnostic Studies

• Blood type and Rh factor
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Metabolic Panel to include:
• Lipid Panel
• Fasting blood glucose test
• Liver function test
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) X 3 if over age 40 or medically indicated
• G6PD
• RPR/STS
• Urinalysis dipstick (Microscopic if indicated)
• PPD (unless contraindicated) or Quantiferon test
• Chest X-Ray (must be within 18 months of physical exam)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) - 12 lead
• Audiogram (500/1000/2000/3000/4000/6000 MHz)
• Spirometry
• Ocular Examination - to include:
• Gross Visual Acuity - Any visual acuity is less than 20/20, a refractive prescription must be obtained.
• Visual Fields
• Tonometry
• Color Sense (PIP of FALANT)
• Depth Perception
• Immunization records (Tetanus must be current)

Female Candidates

• PAP Smear and pelvic exam (not required if post-hysterectomy)
• Screening mammography (if over age 40)