The Commissioned Officer Training Academy (COTA) offered an Officer Mid-Level Course (OMC) in March 2014. Thirty-three officers from 10 different agencies and Op-Divs and representing 6 categories attended the 5-Day intensive residential course.

OMC was developed to provide leadership training for Mid-Level Commissioned Corps Officers of the United States Public Health Service (Corps) and is the second course in the career progression specifically developed for Commissioned Corps Officers. OMC is designed to prepare the Commissioned Officer for successful assignments as an officer and leader in a dynamic public health environment. It builds on the foundations set forth in the Officer Basic Course (OBC) and prepares the officers with knowledge, disposition and skills necessary to serve as mid-level officers and the future leaders of the United States Public Health Service.

OMC was developed by the COTA staff and was initially “Piloted” in 2010 and 2011 as two 6-month long online courses. In June 2011 the first OMC residential course was provided as a two-week course. To date 147 officers have been trained from all 11 categories representing 21 agencies and Op-Divs.

Coming up in May 2014, COTA will once again provide the Officer Mid-Level Course to 35 officers. No other courses are currently scheduled although the hope is future trainings may be offered later in 2014.

COTA continues to refine the Officer Mid-Level Course to meet the needs of the Corps and we dedicate our efforts to serve our officers and prepare them to meet the future leadership demands of our service.

Any questions regarding the Officer Mid-Level Course or the Commissioned Officers Training Academy can be directed to PHSCOTA@hhs.gov.