October 14, 2004 — NASA doesn’t have one. EPA doesn’t have one. Even the Department of Interior doesn’t have one. NOAA is the only civilian science agency that has its own national uniformed service, complete with a personnel system similar to the armed forces’ and the pomp and circumstance that accompanies a high ranking “changing of the guard.”

September 10 marked the official Assumption of Command of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations’ two new rear admirals — Samuel P. De Bow Jr. (two star) and Richard R. Behn (one star) — who actually assumed their positions on August 2, after Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans signed their temporary commissions. All such commissions are “temporary,” consigned with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate upon nomination by the President of the United States.

De Bow is director of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations and the NOAA Corps, and Behn is director of the Marine and Aviation Operations Centers.

The long-awaited ceremony that signaled their taking over at the proverbial helm is steeped in military tradition. “Historically, it’s important for the organization to show the shift in leadership,” said De Bow. “This is a traditional ceremony observed by all the uniformed services. The NOAA Corps follows the protocol of the Navy.”

Behn’s predecessors had responsibility for marine operations only, so Behn is the first one-star NOAA admiral to oversee operations on the aircraft side as well. “For me, it’s a brand new, clean slate,” Behn said. “No one-star has held this job, so I get to figure out how to put it together.”

The planning of the ceremony — which was to be an opportunity to showcase the NOAA Corps and draw attention to the service it provides to NOAA and the nation — fell on the capable shoulders of Nancy Jackson, who currently holds the double job of assisting both admirals. It was to take place in Old Town Alexandria, Va., complete with ceremonial swords, NOAA ship Thomas Jefferson alongside, a Navy brass band, the Mayor of Alexandria and other local officials, high school Sea Scouts, retired NOAA Corps admirals, local media, congressional tours and the Commerce and NOAA family and friends.

Then along came Hurricane Frances—or, at least, the remnants of it.

Weather forecasters predicted that heavy rains would strike the area about mid-week, right at the time the ship would make its way to the Alexandria pier and the oversized tent would be erected. The weather wasn’t due to improve until the end of the week, and Old Town’s Potomac River has a bad habit of flooding during foul weather. When Hurricane Isabel hit the city last year, residents were photographed paddling their canoes down city streets.

A decision had to be made as to whether to go forward or step back and make alternate plans. Of primary concern was the safety of the NOAA ship. Prudence won out, and the ceremony was moved to Commerce’s auditorium in the Herbert C. Hoover Building. All the cancellations and changes — including contacting all invited guests about the new venue — were a tremendous undertaking, and September 10 turned out to be a picture-perfect day. But Jackson doesn’t regret the decision.

“It was disappointing to have to cancel the festivities we had planned in Old Town, but a decision had to be made,” Jackson said. “If we’d gone the other way, no doubt I would have been fishing that tent out of the water! Having the event moved to downtown Washington, D.C., put a whole different spin on the ceremony. It brought a solemnity to the occasion that we might not have otherwise had. I was really proud of the admirals and the Corps.”

Despite the eleventh-hour change, the Assumption of Command ceremony and following reception went smoothly, without a hitch — a testament to the attention to detail and planning by Jackson and others in NMAO who played a major role. Announced by emcee Commander Jon Bailey, director of the Commissioned Personnel Center, ranking officials Commerce Deputy Secretary Ted Kassinger and undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr. entered the auditorium through two columns of “sideboys,” NOAA Corps men and women who stood at attention while the dignitaries passed between them. Kassinger and Lautenbacher were heralded by a Navy boatswain’s pipe and the ringing of eight bells, all in accordance with Navy protocol. Then came Rear Admiral De Bow, who stopped at the end of the lines of officers and saluted. Rear Admiral Behn followed, also saluting his fellow officers. Each admiral was “piped” and “rung” as he passed through, with six military bells signifying his rank. (Click on NOAA image upper right for a larger view of newly minted Rear Admirals Samuel De Bow and Richard Behn entering the Assumption of Command ceremony through two columns of "sideboys" at Commerce headquarters in Washington, D.C.)

After a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Pat Thorne, executive assistant to the commerce deputy secretary, Lautenbacher commended the selection of De Bow and Behn, and quoted Secretary of State Colin Powell: “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” Lautenbacher said that “Both Sam and Rich embody this approach. It is the key reason they are assuming new commands.”

De Bow said in his speech that, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations supports all of NOAA’s strategic goals. The ships and aircraft we operate are the workhorses of NOAA, proudly brandishing the NOAA logo whether in port, at sea or in the air. The men and women who operate these platforms — our NOAA Corps officers — are the most corporate part of NOAA. They carry their expertise to different parts of the organization over the course of their careers. They facilitate integration and information-sharing between NOAA’s programs, thus giving new meaning to the words ‘matrix management.’”

De Bow and Behn read their orders, and turned to Vice Admiral Lautenbacher, reporting to duty with a salute. This concluded the official transfer of power.

“The ceremony made me very proud to be someone in uniform,” Behn said. “It’s not often you have the honor of sideboys and a boatswain’s pipe to show the rank you’ve earned. We don’t do that many times within the NOAA Corps. It was also a proud event for my wife and family.”

“My wife and staff will attest to the fact that I live and breathe my work,” De Bow said. “I love what I do for a living, and it is this enthusiasm that I will carry into my position as director.”

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations

NOAA Corps

Vice Admiral Lautenbacher's remarks at Assumption of Command Ceremony Washington, D.C.,
(Sept. 10, 2004)

SENATE CONFIRMS NEW LEADERSHIP FOR NOAA CORPS AND
NOAA MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS

NOAA CORPS: OFFICERS OF THE NATION'S SMALLEST UNIFORMED SERVICE

Media Contact:
Jeanne Kouhestani, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, (301) 713-3431 ext. 220