National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (H.R. 4882) updates the rules and benefits for the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, one of the nation’s eight uniformed services. The bill standardizes the corps' internal operations—such as promotions, pay, and retirement—to more closely align with the other branches of the U.S. military.

For everyday citizens, this legislation ensures that the specialized officers who operate "hurricane hunter" aircraft and research vessels have a stable and professional career structure. By providing these officers with clear benefits and a defined chain of command, the bill supports the reliable delivery of critical public services, including severe weather forecasting, nautical charting for safe shipping, and the management of national fisheries. Additionally, it allows the President to transfer these specialized resources to the military during national emergencies, strengthening the country’s overall disaster response and defense capabilities.