• When new policies are issued, Corps officers should pay close attention to effective dates; both phase-in and phase-out dates. Please check the electronic Commissioned Corps Issuance System (eCCIS) on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System (CCMIS) Web site at http://dcp.psc.gov.
• Unless a medical waiver is on file, beards are no longer authorized for Corps officers.
• The Army sweater and cardigan may be worn until 1 January 2009.
• Contact lenses worn by Corps officers must be without a design and must be natural in color -- blue, green, brown, etc.
• Uniforms are considered in a ‘serviceable condition’ if there are no holes, tears, rips, pilling, stains, missing buttons, and broken zippers. Unserviceable uniforms should have buttons or zippers replaced; rips, tears, holes and stains require a new uniform item.
• Non-prescription sunglasses are not authorized for wear indoors by Corps officers unless there is a medical reason for doing so.
• Only one skill badge is authorized on sweater nametags. The cover/Corps device and logos of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Divisions/Staff Divisions, and logos of those non-HHS organizations where Corps officers are detailed, are not authorized.
• The ‘bulk’ of hair for both males and females shall not exceed 2 inches. The word ‘bulk’ in this case is defined as the distance that the mass of the hair protrudes from the scalp. This does not include the ‘bun’ hair style worn by females with long hair.
• Fingernails for men shall not extend beyond the end of the finger, and fingernails for women shall not exceed ¼ inch beyond the end of the finger.
• For those officers visiting the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan/National Capital Area, please be aware that the Winter Blue uniform is not authorized for wear.
• There is only one authorized military specification (MilSpec) optional wear white scarf for wear by Corps officers, and it can only be purchased from the Navy Exchange.
• Civilian clothing items (coats, boots, tennis shoes, wing-tip shoes, hats, scarves, etc.) are not authorized for wear while in uniform. Tennis shoes may be worn if medically necessary and authorized by the officer’s primary care provider and the authorization is on file with the Medical Affairs Branch, Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services.
• Uniforms may be tailored to provide a well-fitting, professional military bearing. They shall not be altered to the extent of detracting from a military appearance, nor shall they be tailored to the point of presenting a tight form fit.
• Unless reaching for, or returning an item to the pocket, hands should not be placed in pockets while standing, walking or speaking with another person.
• When purchasing new uniforms, officers should be sure to cut off all loose or extraneous strings.
• Shoes/boots should be clean, polished (not necessarily spit-shined) and in serviceable condition.
• Male officers cannot wear earrings or other piercings while on a Department of Defense facility.
• Officers cannot wear nose, tongue, eyebrow or any other visible piercings (except for female officers with one pair of earrings in the lower ear lobe) while in uniform.
• When outdoors, plain (free of design, ornamentation or logos) black leather gloves are permitted for wear. Mittens, half-gloves and gloves other than a leather material are not authorized while in uniform. Nomex® flight gloves may be worn when on current flight status.

Please note: Any and all uniform questions can be sent electronically to phsccuniform@hhs.gov