He served as the first Deputy Administrator of ESSA and was the first vice admiral, and at the time the highest-ranking officer, in the combined history of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps and ESSA Corps. Gov. app. History: What does the NOAA Emblem Symbolize? I officially swore in to the NOAA Comissioned Officer Corps this past week! We were capped at 321 for many, many years by our authorization. Score to lead NOAA Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations", "Michael Silah to lead NOAA Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations", "Nancy Hann | Office of Marine and Aviation Operations", "Heraldry | Office of Marine and Aviation Operations", "S.679 - Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011, 112th Congress (2011-2012)", "33 U.S. Code 3061 - Cooperation with and transfer to military departments". We put gliders in the weather to help study hurricanes. PET'SOLDIERS' & SAILORS' AFFDT February 07, 2018. [MOAA INTERVIEW: Gen. Charles Q. An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service.. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known informally as the NOAA Corps, is one of eight federal uniformed services of the United States, and operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a scientific agency overseen by the Department of Commerce. The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) and the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) have renewed their agreement to work together to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce dedicated to the science and service of our nation. Maximum age for first-time enlistment is 35 for the Army, Military deployment after Hurricane Katrina, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, Environmental Science Services Administration, Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act, Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act, An Act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, "Contact Us: Frequently Asked Questions - airforce.com", "Plan Your Next Move to Become a Coast Guard Member", "Number of births in the United States from 1990 to 2016 (in millions)", "ARMED FORCES STRENGTH FIGURES FOR JUNE 30, 2020", "National Defense Budget Estimates for FY 2021", "Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2012-2019)", "10 U.S. Code 1408 - Payment of retired or retainer pay in compliance with court orders", "UCMJ S 802. Updating your assignment preferences can be done at any time as your professional or personal goals change. NOAA Form 56-42 Application for appointment in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. The NOAA Corps and PHSCC consist of commissioned officers only and have no warrant officer ranks or enlisted ranks. are not authorized for wear while in uniform. Courses that relate to these missions are acceptable with regards to application for BOTC. Can you talk more about the uncrewed mission andhow it has evolved? Complete the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Complete the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS). An official website of the United States government. The NOAA Corps was created as the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps, a component of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, on 22 May 1917. Three officers who remained in Coast and Geodetic Survey service were killed during the war, as were eleven other Survey personnel. Monthly pay and allowances at Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC), New London, Connecticut. BOTC 140 Mentor Volunteer Form. USA's 7 uniformed services est. Created Aug 19, 2018. It was apparent that OCS 1-19 and BOTC-132 had unified as a group. The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps is now accepting applications So, were looking at the whole spectrum of applications. A. I was involved in the first application of uncrewed systems for NOAA back in, 2006, I think. Are there other tech upgrades you can speak to? (C) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service. 4. An officers commission may be revoked at any time during his/her first three (3) years of service if unable to obtain, and maintain, this minimum level security clearance. Single officers not living aboard ship, and married officers receive a monthly Basic Allowance for Housing"1. You must reimburse the government for meals. Applicants must be a United States citizen of good moral character. Q. However, in federal service, command and control of National Guard organizations will fall under the designated geographic or functional combatant commander. Those making between $50,000 and $60,000 ($65-75,000 jointly) will receive an exemption using a calculation based on the amount of federally adjusted income over $50,000. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by HHS or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Eight days after the swearing in of the first Administrator of NOAA on March 18, 1971, the issue of NOAA Week stated: "The emblem symbolizes NOAA's worldwide role in the environmental sciences and the role of these sciences in defining and determining ecological relationships, promoting better use of our natural resources, and providing a better understanding and predictability of global phenomena." Previous Cyberflash. . PakistanUnited States skirmishes Do you have any major gaps in your specialties or, Q. MOAA sponsors a variety of insurance plans to help meet your needs. [11], Six of the uniformed services make up the armed forces as defined by Title 10, five of which are within the Department of Defense. Support the USPHS Commissioned Corps capacity to respond to regional, national, and global health emergencies and improve access to health services, Preserve clinical care positions by maintaining a surge capacity of health professionals available for deployment without jeopardizing the service of clinicians in hard-to-fill roles, Offer an opportunity to serve for mission-driven clinical and public health professionals who cannot commit to a full-time active duty position in the Corps, Enable access to highly specialized skill sets that would be impractical in full-time active duty positions. The naval equivalent includes some or all grades of petty officer. Over half of all Coast and Geodetic Survey officers were transferred to the U.S. Army, the United States Army Air Forces, the U.S. Navy, or the U.S. Marine Corps, and deployed in North Africa, Europe, the Pacific, and the defense of North America as artillery surveyors, hydrographers, amphibious engineers, beachmasters (i.e., directors of disembarkation), instructors at service schools, and in a wide variety of technical positions. Although not always possible, the goal of the OAB is to make assignments about 12-18 months out. The NOAA Corps is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Note: Upon completion of the pre-commissioning physical examination conducted at MEPS, additional testing may be required to assist the medical officer in making a final medical determination regarding your medical suitability for the NOAA Corps. LT Dwyer received this award for her display of outstanding leadership and technical acumen as a Division Officer of a Navy Underwater Vehicle Platoon for the Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Command. [MOAA INTERVIEW: Meet the First Woman Chief of the Army Reserve]. Read our privacy policy for more information. Their only options were paying by . Following the establishment of the ESSA, Rear Admiral H. Arnold Karo was promoted to vice admiral to help lead the agency. Uniformed service of the United States of America, The emblems of the eight U.S. uniformed services, United States Department of Defense (DoD), United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), United States Department of Commerce (DOC), (B) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and. All applicants are encouraged to explore NOAA's website and read about the agency's missions. 3. Q. The National Guard can also be mobilized by the president to operate under federal authority through Title 10. S1NET Members: We wish you and your families a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. The Earth and atmosphere and the interrelationships between the two are, of course, major concerns of NOAA. NOAA aircraft carry scientists and specialized instrument packages to conduct research for NOAA's missions. DONATE TODAY: Support The MOAA Foundation and the MOAA Scholarship Fund. The Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) is looking for a highly motivated officer to support the Emergency Response Division (ERD) in coordinating NOAA/NOS delivery of science and information needs during spills of oil or chemicals and during coastal natural disasters. Physical exams are completed at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) per Department of Defense (DOD) instructions. The site is secure. . [MOAA INTERVIEW: The Future of the USPHS Commissioned Corps]. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. NNOA is comprised of members of all ranks and ethnic groups and supports the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse Officer Corps that is representative of the best our nation has to offer. NNOA is an organization composed of active duty, reserve and retired officers, midshipmen and cadets, and interested civilians. I have been on several Officer Assignment Boards (OAB) in my career and have seen officer's assignment preferences that had not been updated in several years. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security and has both military and law enforcement duties. (C) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service. [15][16], With the outbreak of the SpanishAmerican War in April 1898, the Navy again withdrew all of its officers from Coast and Geodetic Survey assignments. The NOAA Corps is a uniformed service of the United States tasked with providing officers technically competent to assume positions of leadership and command in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Commerce programs and in the Armed Forces during times of war or national emergency. This test must be taken after the AFOQT. The amount varies based on the ship's home port. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. OABs deal with a lot of moving parts including billet timing, billet pre-requisites, NOAA Corps needs, and Line Office requirements. [17] Because they are commissioned officers, they can be classified as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions if captured by a belligerent entity. 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 full text", "SEC. A member of the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the Public Health Service. For daily work uniforms, the NOAA Corps wears the same Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) as the U.S. Coast Guard, but with NOAA Corps insignia in place of U.S. Coast Guard insignia. NEVER STOP SERVING PODCAST: Catch up with 'War Stories' in Season 3. One of the emerging areas is uncrewed systems. Prior to appointment, the Department of Commerce will conduct a background investigation of each officer candidate to determine eligibility for a security clearance. Aviation Incentive Pay tables were updated effective October 1, 2018. In order to expedite the pre-commissioning physical examination process, it is highly recommended that you have a copy of your medical records pertaining to medical conditions identified on your Form DD2807-1 readily available. Uniforms promote the visibility and credibility of the Commissioned Corps to the general public and the Nation's underserved populations whom officers are devoted to serving. Any potential disqualifying conditions will be addressed using an Individualized Assessment process. What do USPHS officers do? She took the helm as the service is poised to onboard more personnel as well as new aircraft and ships. Discover more interesting stories in MOAA's award-winning magazine. The eight uniformed services are defined by 10 U.S.C. NNOA is committed to leading, and mentoring officers, enlisted members, and civilian employees of the sea services, as well as our country's youth, to enable them to achieve their highest goals. A. Were pretty much at critical capacity right now to meet those demands. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps): 22 May 1917. Explore the crossword clues and related quizzes to this answer. Do you have any major gaps in your specialties orcareer fields right now? The NOAA Corps today employs professionals trained in engineering, earth sciences, oceanography, meteorology, fisheries science, and other related disciplines. Physical exams are completed atMilitary Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) per Department of Defense (DOD) instructions. Officers interested in this assignment should update their billet preferences, contact the Assignment Coordinator and/or the outgoing officer, LCDR Chris Skapin, at christopher.skapin@noaa.gov, or ERD Division Chief Scott Lundgren at scott.lundgren@noaa.gov, to seek additional details about the assignment. Can you talk about what you mean when you say thepressures have never been greater? SECURE ACT 2.0: Join MOAA on March 7 to find out what this new legislation means for your retirement. American Revolutionary WarWhiskey RebellionIndian WarsBarbary WarsWar of 1812Patriot WarMexicanAmerican WarUtah WarCortina TroublesReform WarAmerican Civil War, Las Cuevas WarSpanishAmerican WarBanana WarsPhilippineAmerican WarBoxer RebellionBorder WarWorld War IRussian Civil WarWorld War IICold War, Military deployment after Hurricane Katrina The Ready Reserve Corps will provide trained and ready personnel to fill critical public health needs and will: Support capacity A NOAA Corps officer navigates a survey launch from a NOAA ship in Alaska. We did applications in the Antarctic. As members of a uniformed service, NOAA Corps officers are not covered under the Whistleblower Protection Act (5 U.S.C. CONCURRENT RECEIPT: Join MOAA on March 14 for a comprehensive review of CRSC, CRDP, and other programs. Other. USERRA is a federal statute that protects servicemembers and veterans civilian employment rights. (8)", "H.R. The NOAA Corps traces its origins to the establishment of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps on May 22, 1917, which the service recognizes as its official birthday. Reserve Deputy for Warfighting Development (N7), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations: . Be Respectful. Connect With Tony Lombardo AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTION (Motion #002) - Military Affidavit May 11, 2017. An official website of the United States government. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known informally as the NOAA Corps, is one of seven federal uniformed services of the United States, and operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a scientific agency within the Department of Commerce. An officer of the Administration transferred under this section, shall, while under the jurisdiction of a military department, have proper military status and shall be subject to the laws, regulations, and orders for the government of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, as the case may be, insofar as the same may be applicable to persons whose retention permanently in the military service of the United States is not contemplated by law.[44]. Our website uses cookies to deliver safer, faster, and more customized site experiences. 1812. In December, Congress passed an Omnibus Appropriations bill which provided $62.5M for the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps funding line. But the system of U.S. Navy officers and men crewing the Survey's ships that had prevailed for most of the 19th century came to an end when the appropriation lawapproved on June 6, 1900provided for "all necessary employees to man and equip the vessels," instead of Navy personnel. The National Guard is an additional reserve military component of the Army and Air Force, respectively, and is composed of National Guard units, which operate under Title 32 and under state authority as the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. This is the unofficial United States NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps sub-Reddit page. The Corps is headed by the Surgeon General of the United States. It has over 300 commissioned officers, but no enlisted or warrant officer personnel. The U.S. Navy has the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with ten in service, four in the reserve fleet, and three new class carriers under construction. 17 with parental consent, 18 for voluntary service. The .gov means its official. Hann sat down with Military Officer to elaborate on the service's high op-tempo and plans to expand. The .gov means its official. As each individual was called on stage, their peers would cheer words of encouragement and support, and you could read each of their faces' reaction to the news. Can you talk about what you mean when you say the, Q. [47][48][49] In 2017 it adopted a sea chanty, "Into the Oceans and the Air," as its new official service song.[50][51]. The Commissioned Corps has survived as a public health organisation, and as a provider of medical staff to the other uniformed services. You are accessing a U.S. Government information system, which includes: 1) this computer, 2) this computer network, 3) all Government-furnished computers connected to this network, and 4) all Government-furnished devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network. Its given me a really good idea of the importance of the data we collect, on what products and services come about as a result of that data, and how that serves the nation. I'm looking forward to starting 19 weeks of Basic Officer Training . She now serves as director of the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and NOAAs Commissioned Officer Corps. We fly the aircraft, we sail the ships, we operate and prepare the uncrewed systems in partnership with our civilian teammates, but NOAA Corps is absolutely at the nexus of all the data. The uniformed services are, in order of precedence:[10]. Hearing of the additional work, the NOAA Corps would have to grow to accommodate all that. As MOAA's Director of Audience Engagement, Tony Lombardo manages the content team tasked with producing The MOAA Newsletter, editing Military Officer magazine, operating MOAA's social media accounts, and supporting all communications efforts across the association. PURPOSE This Order prescribes the policies by which positions in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Line and Staff Offices (LO/SO) may be established and filled by officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). Failure to provide the necessary information will prevent the medical officer from making a final determination regarding your medical status and your application will not be considered for further processing. For NOAA personnel, eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. Primary and alternate candidates will be contacted by the NOAA Corps Recruiting Branch to coordinate the physical examination at MEPS. [15], After the war ended in August 1945, the Coast and Geodetic Survey again returned to peacetime scientific duties, although a significant amount of its work in the succeeding years was related to support of military and naval requirements during the Cold War.[15]. Stop by and see what's going on in the fleet, air, or ask us a question regarding the NOAA Corps. Unlike their United States Armed Forces counterparts, NOAA Corps officers do not require their rank appointments and promotions to be confirmed by the United States Senate, and only require approval from the president.[43]. If you have these qualities and are interested in a career incorporating service, science, and adventure, you will find a unique opportunity in the NOAA Corps. of Commerce", Reorganization Plan No. WINGS OF WORLD WAR II: Take a unique look at the iconic aircraft that shaped modern warfare. Additional medical documentation must be submitted to the Medical Administration Branch by the outlined timeline. Hann has led the Corps' cadre of 329 officers since January 2021, first in an acting role, but then officially confirmed in November. The NOAA Corps is made up of scientifically and technically trained officers. I had the privilege of delivering forthcoming assignment letters to the ten officers of BOTC-132 during the recent Billet Night. The NOAA Corps was created as the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps, a component of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, on 22 May 1917. 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. SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) Flyer, From the Assignments Desk: : Officer Assignment Board (OAB), https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/mas/rates/#AvIP. We collect the data that informs when they open the dams in the West and when they leave them closed to manage that critical water supply. This is a welcome budget increase of $8.3M that will allow . USPHS Commissioned Corps, or NOAA Corps to one of the Military Services will be processed for an original appointment in accordance with DoDI 1310.02. Superintendent (title changed to "Director" in 1919) of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1915 until he died in 1929. Q. That was flying an uncrewed aircraft system into a hurricane. Q. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The service has 325,143 personnel on active duty and 107,355 in the Navy Reserve. Example of monthly pay and allowances for new officers following BOTC. [19] As a result, the ESSA Corps was redesignated the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, known informally as the NOAA Corps. The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps is now accepting applications Read More, 2023 NOAA Corps recruiting events announced, Officer Profile: Ensign Sarah Cozart, NOAA Pilot, NOAA Hurricane Hunters provide critical data during busy 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. OABs look to your assignment preferences to accomplish the needs of the Service while trying to keep our officers satisfied with their assignments. Uniformed officers of the NOAA Corps and PHSCC are paid on the same scale as members of the armed services, with respective rank and time-in-grade. To meet human resources needs, the NOAA Corps requires a highly qualified diverse workforce that is committed to NOAA's mission. Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. Her exceptional leadership, mission planning, and technical support in this role resulted in being awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding support. TRICARE Supplement? Garden of Memories Cemetery 4035 East 15th Street Panama City, FL 32401 Tel: 850-769-7210 Directions Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery 2403 Harrison Avenue Panama City, FL 32405 Tel: 850-769-6141 Directions You are welcome to call us any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Read court documents, court records online and search Trellis.law comprehensive legal database for any state court documents. The NOAA Corps seeks officer candidates with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds, a desire to serve their country, and leadership potential. Prior to 1967, the Coast Guard was a part of the Department of the Treasury. [15][14], The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps traces its roots to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. NOAA Corps officers receive the same pay as other members of the uniformed services. 2. The transfer of commissioned officers between the Regular and Reserve Components of the same Military Service. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. and significant civilian work experience, though the minimum requirement is a baccalaureate degree. NOAA Corps medical standards are based on the requirements for officer candidates set forth in the U.S. Coast Guard medical manual for commissioned officers. (B) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and SECTION 2. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Don't miss this opportunity. [15], To avoid the dangers that Coast Survey personnel had faced during the Civil War of being executed as spies if captured by the enemy, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps was established on 22 May 1917, giving Coast and Geodetic Survey officers a commissioned status so that under the laws of war, they could not be executed as spies if they were captured while serving as surveyors on a battlefield during World War I. The Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps returned to peacetime scientific pursuits after the war. Dec 28, 2021 The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) and the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) have renewed their agreement to work together to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce dedicated to the science and service of our nation. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Officer pay is based on rank and time in service. So, it tells municipalities, When this snow melts, youre going to have this much water for use, youre going to have this much flooding. Its the baseline to all of the water movement in the U.S., and we transitioned that mission to a new aircraft, which is more capable. The figures below are for an Ensign (O-1) with no prior service, as of January 2023. 101(a)(5): The term "uniformed services" means Even a lot of the national security. Here's how you know All officers should make appointments to have a revised CAC issued by a local DEERs office if you haven't already. In 2017, Commissioned Corps officers became eligible to begin serving Veterans again. They also served as reconnaissance surveyors for a worldwide aeronautical charting effort, and a Coast and Geodetic Survey officer was the first commanding officer of the Army Air Forces Aeronautical Chart Plant at St. Louis, Missouri. [MOAA INTERVIEW: Astronaut Charlie Duke Reflects on 50th Anniversary of Apollo 16]. A. I dont know if the message is as clear as it needs to be what the NOAA Corps role is in that data. In 2002, it was placed under the Department of Homeland Security. 1. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Served as director in the rank of. First Director, ESSA Corps. A. Only then can we achieve meaningful and sustainable success., NNOA President RADM Sinclair Harris, USN (Ret), said he is ecstatic about the renewal of the MOC and looks forward to supporting RADM Hann and all the members of NOAA as our association approaches our 50th year anniversary.. The USPHS Commissioned Corps is made up of more than 6,000 medical, health and engineering professionals who fight disease, conduct research and care for patients in 800+ underserved communities. We use it for marine mammal surveys, which directly feed into the commercial fishery forecasting quota. If you are using an out-of-date browser, all features of the site may not be available. Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Office of the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 23:09. The NOAA Corps Amendment Act passed [in 2021], and that allows us to grow to 500 officers. The NOAA Corps also has no enlisted or warrant ranks and is comprised entirely of commissioned officers. [40] Current NOAA Corps ranks rise from ensign to vice admiral,[41][40] pay grades O-1 through O-9, respectively, although the rank of vice admiral has been used only rarely in the history of the NOAA Corps and its predecessors. The USPHS Commissioned Corps will accept Ready Reserve Corps applications online beginning in Fall 2020, and will commission its first officers in Spring 2021. CONCURRENT RECEIPT: Stay up to date on MOAA's latest advocacy efforts on this critical topic. This degree must be awarded from a postsecondary institution accredited by the U. S. Department of Education. Aviation Career Incentive Pay was changed earlier in the year to Aviation Incentive Pay. 4 of 1970, reprinted with amendments in 5 U.S.C. Eligibility can be affected by such factors as failure to register for the Selective Service, unsatisfactory employment records, violations of the law, drug or alcohol abuse, criminal record, and less than honorable discharge from the armed forces. Phil Scott has already expressed his desire for military retirement pay to be fully exempt from state taxes. Learn more about the magazine, Q. crwflags.com National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (U.S.) Accessed 8 November 2022. noaa.gov NAO 201-6 A: Official Flags of NOAA 15 March 2015 Accessed 8 November 2022. If you are recommended as a primary or alternate candidate by the Officer Personnel Board (OPB) to receive a temporary appointment into the NOAA Corps, you will be required to submit the following items prior to the scheduling of your pre-commissioning physical examination: The completed forms and medical information must be sent to the Medical Administration Branch electronically using NOAA's Accellion Secure File Transfer (invitation to use is required).