USPHS Commissioned Corps ‘Proposed Core Values’ Deadline Date for Comments: 2359 hours on 7 April 2006

The Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (Corps) currently has no ‘Values Statement.’ Good management policy dictates that an organization must have some type of statement that codifies its values in order for the organization to know where it is going, and the manner in which it will get there. Working in collaboration, staff members of the Division of Commissioned Corps Training and Career Development/Office of Commissioned Corps Operations, and the Recruiting, Marketing and Information Systems Division/Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management, have developed a working draft of ‘Core Values of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.’

This document is a first draft, to be used to gather input from as many stakeholders as possible in order to obtain input and buy-in from the officers, Operating Divisions/Staff Divisions/non-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) organizations to which Corps officers are assigned, and categories that it will affect. Please read the ‘Proposed Corps Values – Working Draft’ below, and e-mail your comments in regard to the verbiage of the listed values, whether other values should be added or substituted, or any that you think should be deleted.

For perspective, here are the listings of the core values of the other Uniformed Services:

Air Force: Integrity Excellence Service

Coast Guard: Honor Respect Devotion to Duty

Marines: Honor Courage Commitment

 

Army: Courage Duty Honor Integrity Loyalty Respect Service

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: People Integrity Excellence Teamwork Ingenuity Science Service Stewardship

 

Navy: Honor Courage Commitment

 

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Proposed Core Values – Working Draft Core Values of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service

Each organization has a culture based upon the values that guide its operations, growth and development. The Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (Corps) is guided solely by a mission without articulated core values. Values are based upon the core principles of a person or organization. Presently, our values are manifested in the manner in which we perform our mission. This document will propose a set of core values for the Corps that deserve dissemination and discussion as we seek to better delineate the principles that guide us as we strive to meet our mission.

The mission of the Corps is “Protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the Nation.” It functions independent of agency, discipline, rank, or other considerations. This mission specifically directs Corps officers to provide service irrespective of agency, geographic location, or cultural differences.

Factors that influence the values of an individual, particularly in a Uniformed Service professional discipline are, among many, humility, professionalism, nurturing of self and others, service, personal and moral courage, tenacity and continuous personal and professional development. Growth in each of these areas is essential if an individual is to progress from a newly commissioned officer to Corps leader.

Core Values:

Responsibility - Makes decisions that reflect the discharge of duty and trust bestowed upon an officer. To be personally and professionally accountable for decisions and the affect on others.

Integrity - Acts steadfast in adherence to a strict moral and ethical code. Maintains professional standards, unquestioning truthfulness, and integrity to include admitting mistakes.

Loyalty - Demonstrated by allegiance to the Corps, commitment to duty and dedication to one’s self and to the people we serve. Loyalty should be displayed mutually between superior and subordinate officers.

Excellence - Committed to the successful achievement of mission goals, consistently striving for self improvement while displaying superior performance.

In adopting these core values, the Corps has pledged to incorporate them into their strategic planning and implementation process. Through the articulation of these core values, the Corps will become a more visible symbol of an elite organization dedicated to the public health and safety of the Nation.

If you want to add or substitute a value, please provide the explanatory text that accompanies it. You do not need to re-write the entire document. Please indicate whether your input is an addition, a substitution (if so, which existing value it will replace), or an outright deletion. Your input will be compiled in a spreadsheet for evaluation purposes and vetted with the Chief Professional Officers and representatives from the Professional Advisory Committees, Minority Officers Liaison Council, Junior Officer Advisory Group, and Operating Divisions/Staff Divisions/non-HHS Liaisons.

Please submit your suggestions to Lee.Shackelford@HHS.gov . We are extending the original submission deadline in order to assure the possible input from officers and retirees. Your submissions are due by 2359 hours on 7 April 2006.

The final draft as vetted will be submitted through the Office of the Surgeon General to the Assistant Secretary for Health.

Thank you for the excellent work that you do in our Nation’s service. Together we can do great things.

CAPT Lee Shackelford Director, Division of Commissioned Corps Training and Career Development Office of Commissioned Corps Operations Tower Building, Plaza Level, Suite 100 1101 Wootton Parkway Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: 240-453-6068 Fax: 240-453-6141

 

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