Originally Posted by
Profane Kahuna
Well then I think you should stick to that dream. It is very unique so I doubt you would be satisfied doing something different.
As for choice #3 the E6 guys I know are bitter about the community but can get hired directly. The helo guys can’t (and many of them are bitter too).
He should also have a plan B & C. I was involved in the arctic business at one point. It's a very small niche, with little resources at this point. It would take luck and creative detailing to get to a major HQ command which has policy responsibility/influence for that region, and then more luck to get assigned to work on it. Even then it would likely be a collateral duty.
NOAA jobs are low density, high demand. Also need luck, timing, and persistence to have a crack at that.