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The USPHS Commissioned Corps is committed to our mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. Public Health Service officers are trained and equipped to provide crucial public health leadership, assist with policy development, advance innovation and science, provide essential care services and respond to national and global public health emergencies. Through our Active Duty Regular Corps, our Public Health Response Strike Team (PHERST) and our Ready Reserve Corps, we remain responsive and available to rapidly deploy in the service of health.
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Commissioned Officers’ Awards Program
Types of Recognition & Awards Criteria
Commissioned Corps Decorations and Insignia Poster
Designed for optimum printing at 18x24 (PDF 1.43 MB)
This webpage is intended as an overview only.
Please refer to the Awards Program Policy CCI511.01 for detailed guidance.Individual Honor Awards (6)
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
Outstanding Service Medal (OSM)
Commendation Medal (CM)
Achievement Medal (AM)
PHS Citation (CIT)
Assistant Secretary for Health’s Awards (2)
Assistant Secretary for Health’s Exceptional Service Medallion (ASHM)
Assistant Secretary for Health’s Exceptional Service Medal (ASHEM)Surgeon General Awards (2)
Surgeon General Medal (SGM)
Surgeon General Exemplary Service Medal (SGESM)
Unit Honor Awards (3)
Presidential Unit Citation (PUC)
Outstanding Unit Citation (OUC)
Unit Commendation (UC)
Campaign Medals(4)
Smallpox Eradication Campaign Ribbon (SPEC)
Global Health Campaign Medal (GHCM)
Ebola Campaign Medal (ECM)
Covid-19 Pandemic Campaign Medal (C-19PCM)
Service Awards (11)
Hazardous Duty Award (HDA)
Foreign Duty Award (FDA)
Special Assignment Award (SAA)
Isolated Hardship Award (ISOHAR)
Crisis Response Service Award (CRSA)
Global Response Service Award (GRSA)
Response Service Award (RSA)
National Emergency Preparedness Award (NEPA)
Recruitment Service Ribbon (RSR)
Global Health Initiatives Service Medal (GHISM)
Bicentennial Unit Commendation (BUC)
Other Ribbons(2)
Regular Corps Ribbon (RCR)
Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon (CCTR)
Badges and Insignia (7)
Assistant Secretary for Health / Principal Deputy Secretary for Health Officer-In-Charge Insignia (ASHOICI )
Surgeon General Insignia (SGI)
Deputy Surgeon General Insignia (DSGI)
Officer-in-Charge Insignia (OICI)
Chief Professional Officer Insignia (CPOI)
Office of the Secretary of HHS Identification Badge (OSIB)
Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB)
Ribbon Attachments (6)
Gold Star (5/16”)
Silver Star (5/16”)
Bronze Star (3/16”)
Silver Star (3/16”)
Bronze Letter ‘V’
Expeditionary Attachment (EA)
Gold Frame Device for Second Presidential Unit Citation
Individual Honor Awards
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 6-1)
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
This is the highest award granted to a Corps officer. This award is presented in recognition of an exceedingly high level of achievement by an officer who possesses a genuine sense of public service and who has made exceptional contributions to the mission of the Corps. Such achievement may range from the management of a major health program, to an initiative resulting in a major impact on the health of the Nation. The award can also be conferred for an act of heroism resulting in the saving of life or protection of health.
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
This award is the second highest recognition granted to Corps officers for outstanding or meritorious levels of achievement. This award is presented in recognition of:
- meritorious service of a single, particularly important achievement;
- a career notable for significant accomplishments in technical or professional fields; or
- unusually high quality and initiative in leadership. The levels of accomplishment meriting this award may include a highly significant achievement in research, program direction, or program administration; a series of significant contributions; a continuing period of meritorious service; or an exhibition of great courage and heroics in an emergency.
Outstanding Service Medal (OSM)
The OSM is granted to an officer who has demonstrated continuous outstanding leadership in carrying out the mission of the Corps, performed a single accomplishment that has had a major effect on the health of the Nation, or has performed a heroic act resulting in the preservation of life or health.
The DSM, MSM, and OSM may also be awarded “With Valor,” with a bronze “V” for recognizing acts of courage and bravery. The designation “With Valor” is not to be used to recognize hazardous assignments or exposure to dangerous and life threatening environments. The officer must exhibit a positive and particular act, or actions, of bravery and courage, and/or heroism, in particular those resulting in the saving or preserving of the life or health of others. The degrees of risk to personal safety, the level of bravery, and the demonstration of courage, are determining factors that must be clearly displayed.
The CM is granted to an officer who has exhibited a level of proficiency and dedication distinctly greater than that expected of an officer. The CM recognizes:
- sustained high quality achievements in scientific, managerial, or other professional fields.
- application of unique skill or creative imagination to the approach or solution of problems; or
- noteworthy technical and professional contributions that are significant to a limited area.
The AM is granted to an officer for superior efforts or outcomes in accomplishing a program’s mission. This could include recognition of the advancement of program objectives, sustained above-average accomplishment, or superior dedication to duty over a relatively short period of time.
The CIT is granted to an officer in recognition of a specific and noteworthy achievement, generally for a short period of time. This could include contributions toward accomplishing a program objective or high quality achievement, but at a lesser level than is required for the AM.
Assistant Secretary for Health’s Awards
Assistant Secretary for Health’s Exceptional Service Medallion (ASHM)
The ASHM is awarded at the sole discretion of the ASH to a member of any uniformed service or a civilian for exceptional contributions to initiatives of the ASH. As the award is bestowed at the discretion of the ASH, there is no nomination procedure. The OASH administers this award. No ribbon is associated with this award.
Assistant Secretary for Health’s Exceptional Service Medal (ASHEM)
The ASH ESM is awarded at the sole discretion of an ASH who serves in uniform to a member of any uniformed service for the highest level of contribution to initiatives of the ASH. As the award is bestowed at the discretion of an ASH who serves in uniform, there is no nomination procedure. The OASH administers this award.
Surgeon General's Awards
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 1-3)
Surgeon General’s Medallion (SGM)
The SGM is awarded at the sole discretion of the SG to a member of any uniformed service or a civilian for the highest level of contribution to initiatives of the SG. As the award is bestowed at the discretion of the SG, there is no nomination procedure. The OSG administers this award.
Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal (SGESM)
The SGESM is awarded at the sole discretion of the SG, for exemplary contributions of a member of any uniformed service to initiatives of the SG. As the award is bestowed at the discretion of the SG, there is no nomination procedure. The OSG administers this award.
Unit Awards
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 6-2 )
Presidential Unit Citation (PUC)
The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) is the highest unit award issued to a uniformed service. The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps PUC was established September 24, 2015 by Presidential Citation to recognize the Commissioned Corps for “extraordinary courage and the highest level of performance in action throughout the United States Government’s response to the Ebola outbreak.”
All PHS officers who served satisfactorily on active duty for any period between September 9, 2014, and May 1, 2015 qualify for the PUC that was awarded for the Corps’ Ebola response efforts.
All PHS officers who served satisfactorily on active duty for any period between 31 January 2020 and the end of the Public Health Emergency declaration for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) qualify for the PUC
Outstanding Unit Citation (OUC)
The OUC is granted to a group of officers who exhibit outstanding contributions toward achieving the goals and objectives of the Corps. To merit this award, the unit must have provided outstanding service, often of national significance.
The UC is granted to acknowledge significant contributions and achievements well above that normally expected in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the OPDIV/STAFFDIV or non-HHS organizations to which Corps officers are detailed. To merit this award, the unit’s accomplishment is at a lesser level than the OUC, often at the State or regional level of significance.
Campaign Medals
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 6-4)
Campaign medals recognize a formal Corps operation that has a specific and stated objective. Campaigns are specific Departmental objectives aimed at eradicating specific health crisis or diseases and/or significantly improving the health and well-being of a targeted population.
The awarding of campaign medals for approved campaigns is approved by the SG or his/her designee.
Campaign medals are granted in recognition of an officer’s substantial contribution to an approved campaign for a specific type of service or activity, or for service during a specific time period.
Smallpox Eradication Campaign Ribbon (SPEC)
An officer who has served 90 days or more cumulative service in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Bureau of Smallpox Eradication or Smallpox Laboratory, in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Smallpox Eradication Program, or in a temporary duty assignment in a smallpox effort abroad, qualifies for the SPEC. The service must have occurred between 1 January 1966 and 26 October 1977. *Obsolete, current awardees may continue to wear.
Global Health Campaign Medal (GHCM)
Any Corps officer, who in a Global Health Initiative assignment, has served outside of the United States in a foreign duty assignment, temporary or permanent, qualifies for the GHCM. The GHCM recognizes officers who met the criteria any time before 31 December 2024.
- An officer may receive only one award of the GHCM for participation in the same Global Health Initiative or mission.
- Officers eligible for the Global Health Campaign Medal are not eligible for the FDA or SAA after 26 January 2005.
The ECM recognizes a Corps officer who served on or after 31 March 2014, for a period of not less than 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in support of an international Ebola activation of the Corps by the President or Secretary. The SG shall determine which assignments qualify for the ECM.
- An officer may receive only one award of the ECM for participation in the same Ebola Initiative or mission.
Covid-19 Pandemic Campaign Medal (C-19PCM)
The C-19PCM recognizes all Corps officers on active duty between 1 March 2020 to the end of the Public Health Emergency declaration for COVID-19 and who are eligible to receive an award in accordance with Section 6-9, qualify for the C-19PCM.
- An officer may receive only one award of the C-19PCM regardless of the number of tours.
Service Awards
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 6-3 )
An officer, who served in a position requiring frequent and significant risk to his/her safety, qualifies for this award.
The officer's supervisor must certify that the officer has met the designated criterion before forwarding the award nomination through appropriate channels for submission to CCHQ. An officer qualifies only once for a particular type of duty. Specific duty assignments that qualify for the HDA include the following:
- Frequent Light Aircraft Flights.
- Contact with inmates and/or detainees.
- Industrial Hygiene Surveys of Mine Sites.
- Officers who receive hazard duty pay or imminent danger pay qualify for the HDA.
An officer who has served outside the United States at least 30 consecutive days or 90 non-consecutive days in foreign posts while on temporary or permanent assignment (other than while in training), qualifies for the FDA. Any period of 30 or more consecutive days is not included in the computation of the 90 non-consecutive days.
An officer assigned for 30 or more consecutive days only (not eligible for 90 non-consecutive days) that transits through international waters with stops in international ports, qualifies for the FDA.
Special Assignment Award (SAA)
An officer detailed via official personnel orders (as set forth in CCI323.01, CCI323.02 or CCI323.03), for a minimum of 30 consecutive days to a special program initiative of a Federal or State Agency, or to other organizations, qualifies for the SAA. An assignment effected via memorandum or other official mechanism as set forth in the above Instructions is eligible, unless the assignment is a routine function of the officer's position, or is specifically included in the officer's billet description.
Assignments of 30 or more non-consecutive days may be considered for the SAA. In addition to the criteria and restrictions stated in Section 6-3.d. the non-consecutive assignment must be in the same organizational entity, and must be a part of an ongoing activity with a clearly defined objective.
Assignments to special initiatives or activities of the Secretary, ASH, and/or SG qualify for this award.
Isolated/Hardship Award (ISOHAR)
An officer who has served a minimum of 180 consecutive days in an area designated as isolated, remote, insular, or constituting a hardship duty assignment, qualifies for the ISOHAR. Appendix A lists currently qualifying sites.
In addition to the locations listed in Appendix A, officers who are paid Hardship Duty Pay for the 180 days while OCONUS, are qualified for ISOHAR award.
Crisis Response Service Award (CRSA)
The CRSA recognizes an officer’s direct participation in a Corps deployment to a designated domestic response. An officer must meet the force readiness standards to be eligible for the CRSA (see CCI812.04) An officer may receive only one award of the CRSA for participation in the same crisis response.
CRSA Guidelines:
- A natural or man-made disaster that is determined to be a crisis response with eligibility for the CRSA by the SG; and
- Away from the officer’s regular duty assignment.
- Officer must be deployed for not less than 14 days.
- Officer must be deployed in the designated PHS uniform, unless exempted by the SG.
Global Response Service Award (GRSA)
The GRSA recognizes an officer’s direct participationin a Corps deployment to a designated non-domestic or international response. An officer must meet the force readiness standards to be eligible for the GRSA ( see CCI812.04). An officer may receive only one award of the GRSA for participation in the same response.
Officer must participate in a non-domestic Corps deployment that is:
- A natural or man-made disaster that is determined to be a crisis response with eligibility for the GRSA by the SG;
- Away from the officer’s regular duty assignment.
- Officer must be deployed for not less than 14 days.
- Eligibility for the GRSA is retroactive to 1 October 2004.
- Officer must be deployed in the designated PHS uniform, unless exempted by the SG.
The RSA recognizes an officer’s direct participation in a Corps deployment to a designated public health need or National Special Security Event. An officer must meet the force readiness standards to be eligible for the RSA (see CCI812.04). An officer may receive only one award of the RSA for participation in the same response.
Officer must participate in a Corps deployment that is classified as one of the following:
- An all-hazards public health emergency as declared by the President or Secretary;
- An urgent public health need as determined by the Secretary or the ASH; or,
- A National Special Security Event (e.g., Winter Olympics).
To meet this service award criterion the event must:
- Not be designated as a CRSA or GRSA response; and,
- Be designated a Corps deployment with eligibility for the RSA by the Secretary, ASH, or SG;
- Officer must be deployed for not less than 7 days.
- Officer must be deployed in the designated PHS uniform, unless exempted by the SG.
National Emergency Preparedness Award (NEPA)
The NEPA recognizes officers who have served in an organizational entity, from 19 December 2006 through 31 December 2019, whose mission is to provide emergency medical/support services
- The NEPA recognizes officers who have served a minimum of two consecutive years as active members on a Corps managed Rapid Deployment Unit or previously recognized Tier 1 or Tier 2 team are eligible if they meet the eligibility criteria for the NEPA as defined by the SG.Officers detailed and/or assigned by personnel orders to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) or the CCHQ Readiness and Deployment Branch for one consecutive year, are eligible for the NEPA
- Only one NEPA may be awarded during an officer’s career and subsequent award devices are not authorized. Therefore, officers who were awarded the NEPA under former eligibility criteria are not authorized an award of an additional NEPA for service on a Corps managed Tier 1 or Tier 2 response team.
Recruitment Service Ribbon (RSR)
The RSR recognizes an officer’s continued service to the ongoing recruitment efforts of the Corps. An officer is eligible for the RSR upon completion of 3 consecutive years:
- In a billet in which recruitment is a primary duty and responsibility. Duties may include policy development, establishment of goals and strategies, and coordination of recruitment programs and initiatives; or,
- Of maintaining a current status in the Associate Recruiter Program (ARP) as set forth in CC23.1.6, “Associate Recruiter Program.”
Global Health Initiatives Service Medal(GHISM)
Any officer who supported any Global Health Initiative Assignment, for at least 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days while on temporary or permanent assignment after 26 January 2005. Any period of 30 or more consecutive days is not included in the computation of the 60 non-consecutive days. The GHISM recognizes officers who met the criteria any time before 31 December 2024.
- Support is defined as deploying and/or providing direct administrative, logistical, financial or operational support to any Global Health Initiative or mission.
- An officer may receive only one award of the GHISM for participation in the same Global Health Initiative or mission.
- Officers eligible for the Global Health Campaign Medal are not eligible for the GHISM.
Bicentennial Unit Commendation (BUC)
All Corps officers who served satisfactorily on active duty for any period between 1 January 1998 and 16 July 1999, qualify for the BUC. The BUC is no longer awarded. Current awardees may continue to wear the BUC.
Other Ribbons
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 6-5 and 6-6)
An officer who has been assimilated into the Regular Corps qualifies for the Regular Corps Ribbon and appointment certificate. For information on requirements and application procedures, see CC23.3.7, “Regular Corps Assimilation Program.” (PDF, 83kb)
Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon (CCTR)
The CCTR is awarded to officers upon satisfactory completion of Commissioned Corps Officer Basic Course (OBC). Prior to March 2010, it was awarded to officers upon satisfactory completion of both the Basic Officer Training Course and the Independent Officer Training Course.
Badges and Insignia
(For more information, please reference CCI511.01, Section 6-7)
The ASHOICI identifies a Corps officer who is assigned by personnel orders to either the position of ASH or PDASH. Eligibility for the ASHOICI is restricted to incumbents of those positions, when filled by a Corps officer. Once an officer has been duly authorized to wear the ASHOICI, he/she may wear the miniature ASHOICI during all subsequent assignments of his/her career as an officer. If an officer has earned the ASHOICI as well as an OICI, however, only one of these may be worn on the uniform regardless of the number of times an officer may have qualified for either insignia. The miniature device is also authorized on civilian attire as a lapel pin
Surgeon General Insignia (SGI)
The SGI is a badge of office. Wearing of the SGI is restricted to the SG. An officer permanently assigned as the SG shall wear the SGI. Once an officer has been duly authorized to wear the SGI, he/she may wear the miniature SGI during all subsequent assignments of his/her career as a Corps officer.
Deputy Surgeon General Insignia (DSGI)
The DSGI is a badge of office. Wearing of the DSGI is restricted to the Deputy Surgeon General (DSG). An officer permanently assigned as the DSG shall wear the DSGI. Once an officer has been duly authorized to wear the DSGI, he/she may wear the miniature DSGI during all subsequent assignments of his/her career as a Corps officer.
Officer-In-Charge Insignia (OICI)
The OICI identifies a Corps officer who is assigned by personnel orders to the highest level of leadership within the Office of the Secretary; a specific position that is the highest level of authority over an HHS OPDIV; or a specific position in a non-HHS organization for which there is a statutory basis for the relationship, which is the highest level of authority over an organizational component which contains Corps officers.
Once an officer has been duly authorized to wear the OICI, he/she may wear the miniature OICI during all subsequent assignments of his/her career as an officer. No more than one OICI shall be worn on the uniform, regardless of the number of times an officer may have qualified for the insignia.
Chief Professional Officer Insignia (CPOI)
The CPOI is a badge of office. Wearing of the CPOI is restricted to officers who are assigned by personnel orders to be the Chief Professional Officer (CPO) of one of the eleven professional categories. (i.e., Medical, Dental, Nurse, Engineer, Scientist, Environmental Health, Veterinary, Pharmacy, Dietitian, Therapy, and Health Services). An officer who is assigned as an Acting CPO is not authorized to wear the CPOI. Once an officer has been duly authorized to wear the CPOI, he/she may wear the miniature CPOI during all subsequent assignments of his/her career as a Corps officer. Officers on active duty as of the date of this Instruction who previously were assigned as a CPO are authorized to wear the miniature CPOI.
Office of the Secretary of HHS Identification Badge (OSIB)
Officers assigned on a permanent basis to a billet located within any of the organizational components of the OS, HHS, including STAFFDIVs, qualify to wear the OSIB. Authorization to wear this badge is effective with assignments beginning on 22 June 1999 and is not retroactive to any assignment to any element of OS prior to this date.
- An officer may temporarily wear the badge upon initial assignment to a billet within the OS.
- Upon completion of one continuous year of duty in a billet within the OS, an officer may permanently wear the badge. Time spent on a detail or temporary duty outside the OS does not count in this computation.
Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB)
The FMRB recognizes officers who have met criteria beyond the required basic force readiness standards. It is awarded on the basis of proven knowledge and skill related to force readiness and performance while engaged in Corps deployment(s). To qualify for the FMRB, an officer must meet the force readiness standards (see CCI812.04) in addition to the following eligibility criteria:
- Physical Readiness Requirement. Must achieve a minimum overall Excellent rating on the Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
- Training Requirement. Complete the compulsory modules online training for FMRB as defined by the SG. These may include required modules from the ‘core’, ‘clinical’ (if applicable), and ‘optional’ curricula of the online Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB) modules. The CCMIS RDB page contains the details of the FMRB training requirements.
- Deployment Requirement. Participate in one or more Corps deployments consisting of a minimum of 7 days within 3 years of FMRB application; the 7 days do not have to be consecutive.
- Once an officer has been duly authorized to wear the FMRB, he/she may continue to wear the FMRB throughout his/her career as an officer.
Ribbon Attachments
Gold stars are authorized to be worn in lieu of a second or subsequent award of any of the individual honor awards.
Silver stars are authorized in lieu of five gold stars.
Bronze stars are authorized in lieu of a second or subsequent award of any campaign, unit or service awards.
Silver stars are authorized in lieu of five bronze stars.
The bronze letter ‘V’ may be worn on DSM, MSM, or OSM, if the citation specifically authorizes the ‘V’ for valor (heroism).
The EA is an attachment worn on campaign medals or service awards that recognizes service in a specific location or theater of operation in direct support of the campaign initiative or mission and in which officers operated under circumstances which, after full consideration, shall be deemed to merit special recognition. The SG shall determine which assignments qualify for the EA.
Gold Frame Device for Second Presidential Unit Citation
The USPHS Commissioned Corps will award a gold frame device, in lieu of a second award, to all eligible officers who previously qualified for the PUC awarded for the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ Ebola response efforts.
Last Updated: 8/1/2024
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