I assume that NASA employees undergo some sort of annual appraisal/performance review. But I wondered how that impacts the Astronaut Office where you have a mixture of civilian and military personnel? Presumably the civilian astronauts are part of the process but is there something different for military astronauts who are effectively “on secondment” to NASA from their host service?
I'm sure NASA is different though. I expect NASA managers and employees take the whole process very seriously.
Yes, I remember seeing that reference to Ferguson as Nowak's "commanding officer".What exactly does that mean? They were BOTH Navy captains (ie same rank) at the time and, although Ferguson was a PLT, Nowak actually had seniority in terms of astronaut group.Are there Air Force/Marines/Army commanding officers in the corps, too? Does anyone know who they are now?
What exactly does that mean? They were BOTH Navy captains (ie same rank) at the time and, although Ferguson was a PLT, Nowak actually had seniority in terms of astronaut group.
Quote from: Ben E on 12/29/2008 08:22 pmWhat exactly does that mean? They were BOTH Navy captains (ie same rank) at the time and, although Ferguson was a PLT, Nowak actually had seniority in terms of astronaut group.Perhaps in terms of Astronaut group, but Ferguson was senior in terms of when he had received his commission, and was likely promoted to Captain before she was.I was surprised someone like Brent Jett or Dominic Gorie weren't considered senior USN astronauts at the time, but I guess they had already retired from the Navy at that point.
would sign a Navy astronaut's Navy Fitness Reports (FITREPS) with, I'm sure, input from the head of the Astronaut Office.
Quote from: NavySpaceFan on 12/29/2008 09:41 pm would sign a Navy astronaut's Navy Fitness Reports (FITREPS) with, I'm sure, input from the head of the Astronaut Office.Since they are seconded/detailed to NASA, they get civilian appraisals
Then they get both. The Navy still requires Navy FITREPs for promotion boards and other administrative purposes unique to the service..
Quote from: NavySpaceFan on 12/29/2008 10:45 pmThen they get both. The Navy still requires Navy FITREPs for promotion boards and other administrative purposes unique to the service..I mentioned this earlier. According to Mike Mullane, the USAF would consult the Chief of the Astronaut Office when reviewing an officer for potential promotion.Pg. 238 of "Riding Rockets" he outright says that then Chief of the Astronaut Office, John Young "signed my air force performance reports."
Just out of interest, when are NASA/civil service appraisals generally conducted? Are they based on the calendar year (so you might, for example, get appraised around January time) or do they relate to the fiscal year? And are military performance reports on a similar timetable?