Joe Evjen was born in 1967 in Gainesville, Florida. His father served briefly in the Navy, and his brother attended the Naval Academy. Evjen was active in the Boy Scouts and developed an early interest in orienteering. He pursued a degree in surveying and mapping at the University of Florida and became interested in the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Evjen graduated in December 1990 and joined the NOAA Corps in January 1991. His initial assignment was on the NOAA ship Mount Mitchell, where he participated in various hydrographic and oceanographic missions, including significant work in the Persian Gulf. After his sea tours, he transitioned to the National Geodetic Survey, where he continued his career, contributing to the High-Accuracy Reference Network (HARN) and other geodetic projects.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Joe Evjen, conducted by Matthew Forrest on June 19, 2020, covers Evjen's career in the NOAA Corps, focusing on his experiences during the 1992 Persian Gulf cruise of the NOAA ship Mount Mitchell. The interview details Evjen's early life and education, leading to his decision to join the NOAA Corps. It then transitions to his assignments, starting with his first sea tour on the Mount Mitchell. The narrative includes descriptions of the ship's missions, including deep-sea bathymetry in the Gulf of Mexico and a multi-national oceanographic survey in the Persian Gulf under the auspices of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME). Evjen discusses the logistical and operational challenges faced by the crew, cultural interactions with international scientists, and specific scientific tasks undertaken during the missions. He also recounts unique experiences and observations made during the cruise, such as the environmental conditions in the Persian Gulf and interactions with local populations. The interview concludes with reflections on the impact of these missions on his career and his subsequent work with the National Geodetic Survey.