The 17th Annual Southwestern Lunch & Social Hour plus Extra Added Attractions is being held from Tuesday, March 20 – Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. All Coast Survey/ESSA/NOAA retirees & interested future retirees are welcome! Login to the Member Area for more details (look for the Annual Retirees Event heading).

The Executive Committee of National ACO Scholarships, Inc. has issued its annual call to high school seniors and college undergrads for applications for scholarship awards for the 2012/2013 academic year.  The two-page application form is available on the Resources page, under the heading “National ACO Scholarships, Inc.”  Application forms may also be obtained by contacting Secretary/Treasurer Captain Dave Peterson, NOAA (Ret), by phone (301-921-6357) or email (kmpdhp -at- comcast -dot- net).  Complete application packages should be sent to the corporation’s post office address (on the application form) and should be postmarked no later than Friday, April 13, 2012.

NOAA Marine Operations Center – Pacific’s dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2011 followed by an open house from 13:00-16:00. The open house will continue on Sunday from 10:00-14:00.

The National Military Family Association has announced the seven 2011 Families of the Year. Congratulations to The Beaucage Family of Kailua, HI for winning the award for the NOAA Commissioned Corps! Please read the full press release here: http://www.militaryfamily.org/about-us/media/national-military-family-3.html.

The NMFA’s Family Award Program recognizes strong military families who embrace their service to the Nation, are role models in their community, and understand that together they are stronger. They receive nominations from active duty, reserve component, retiree, and surviving families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

It’s that time again!  The National Military Family Association is accepting nominations for this year’s NOAA Family of the Year! CDR Shep Smith & family (2009) and LTJG Jonathan Heesch & family (2010) were our previous winners!

To nominate a family or for more information, click here.

NMFA: This award recognizes strong families who embrace their service to the Nation, are role models in their community, and understand that together they are stronger. Many times, families think that what they do is nothing special; we disagree. Families serve with quiet dedication to their family and Service. I’m sure you’ll agree that their commitment deserves recognition.

One family from each of the seven uniformed services will be selected as a finalist. From the seven family finalists we choose an overall Family of the Year. All finalists receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC for the award ceremony and the Family of the Year receives a cash prize of $1,000.

The Military Officers Association of America’s Military Spouse Symposium and Career Fair 2011 is coming up on May 12th in Virginia Beach.

Click here for information and to register.

Check out the latest newsletter from the National Military Family Association’s Spouse Club, including information on the Family of the Year Award: http://support.militaryfamily.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=32849.0&dlv_id=34462

Explore your world and go behind the headlines with the experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration! During NOAA Heritage Week 2011 (Feb. 5-12), NOAA will host special guest presentations by deep-sea explorers, hurricane hunters, extreme weather forecasters, and oil spill responders at its Silver Spring, Md. campus.

Battle of the Atlantic – Marine archaeologists and historians discuss recent undersea explorations of Allied ships and German U-boats sunk off the North Carolina coast during World War II. Saturday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m.
Exploring the Titanic – A panel of veteran ocean explorers discuss their first-hand experiences studying one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. Saturday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.
An Ironclad Mystery – Maritime and forensic experts discuss their efforts to piece together the USS Monitor‘s final moments and identify sailors lost when the famed Civil War ironclad sank in 1862. Saturday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m.
Responding to the Deepwater Horizon Spill – A panel of experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration discuss their role in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response effort. Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 12 noon and 7 p.m
Extreme Weather! – WRC-TV chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer moderates a panel of NOAA National Weather Service experts, who will discuss tornadoes, tropical storms and blizzards. Also, a NOAA “hurricane hunter” pilot will discuss his experiences flying into Katrina and other storms. Saturday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m.

All guest presentations will take place in the NOAA Auditorium, located at 1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Md., near the Silver Spring Metro Station. Sign language interpreters available. Adults please bring a photo ID to enter this federal facility. Public parking is available.

NEW NOAA Exhibit – Gateway to NOAA
While you’re in Silver Spring, be sure to visit Gateway to NOAA, a permanent new exhibit about how NOAA takes the pulse of the planet and manages and protects ocean and coastal resources. The exhibit is located at 1325 East-West Highway (SSMC2), just steps from the Silver Spring Metro Station.

More info at preserveamerica.noaa.gov

ALEXANDRIA, VA October 6, 2010 — The National Military Family Association is pleased to announce the seven 2010 Families of the Year. One of these outstanding Uniformed Services families will be named the National Military Family Association’s 2010 Family of the Year at an Association event this fall.

Our Association’s Family Award Program recognizes strong military families who embrace their service to the Nation, are role models in their community, and understand that together they are stronger. We received nominations from: active duty, Reserve Component, retiree, and surviving families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

NOAA Family of the Year
The Heesch Family, Gulfport, Mississippi

LTJG Jonathan Heesch and Dory, and their children L.J. and Devi are currently stationed in Gulfport, MS where they participate in the community through the Parent Teacher Association and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. They place a high premium on the opportunities to be together as a family, and exude dedication and strength into all that they do.

To learn more about the National Military Family Association, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org.

New TRICARE.mil Website Tour – Watch It Now

Have you checked out the new features on TRICARE.mil?
Take a quick tour now on YouTube – then visit www.tricare.mil to get benefit information tailored just for you!