Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) Uniforms Submitted by LT Kyle Lyons, Uniform Policy Coordinator, Workforce Policy and Plans Division, Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management Please note: Any and all uniform questions can be sent electronically to phsccuniform@hhs.gov   Reminders  For those officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) who are visiting the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan/National Capital Area, Winter Blues are not authorized for wear. Civilian clothing (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 with the authorization on file with the Medical Affairs Branch of the Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services. As of 1 January 2009, per CC26.3.4 and CC26.3.5 of the electronic Commissioned Corps Issuance System (http://dcp.psc.gov), all officers are required to now own a complete set of the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). The BDU is replacing the Working Khaki as the deployment uniform due in part to the phase out of the poly/cotton Working Khaki by the U.S. Navy. The Working Khaki will be phased out, per Personnel Policy Memorandum (PPM) 08-020, along with several other uniforms/components on 1 August 2009. The remaining two versions of the Service Khaki (Certified Navy Twill (CNT) and the poly/wool) are not phasing out and will continue to be authorized for wear, as indicated by the National Uniform Authority. At this time, the Service Dress Khaki, as proposed by the Navy Uniform Board, has not been finalized and is still being wear-tested within the Navy. No decision has been made at this point as to whether or not the Corps will adopt the uniform upon Navy’s decision. As a reminder to all officers, per Personnel Operations Memorandum (POM) 08-001, effective 1 January 2009, both of the Army sweaters, the pull-over and cardigan, are no longer authorized for wear. The Navy sweater with the black leather name tag is authorized for optional wear. The plastic PHS nametag is not authorized for wear on the Navy sweater. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS   Q:  What are the options for the name on the black leather name tag for the U.S. Navy sweater? A:  Per PPM 07-014, a black leather Velcro® backed nametag is required (2 inches x 4 inches) to be worn at all times: The leather nametag will be embossed with gold lettering, with all capital letters; The officer has a choice to either use first initial of first name, followed by a period, first initial of the middle name, followed by a period and the full last name (e.g., J. A. DOE) or full first or full middle name and full last name (e.g., John Doe) centered in the middle of the nametag; The proper abbreviation of the officer’s rank will be placed on the lower left of the nametag (e.g., LT, LCDR, and CAPT); The abbreviation, USPHS, will be placed on the lower right of the nametag; and Only one duly authorized skill badge may be embossed on the nametag. The skill badge will be centered at the top of the nametag.   Department of Health and Human Services Operating Division (OPDIV), Staff Division (STAFFDIV) and non-HHS organizational logos (e.g., Food and Drug Administration, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.) are not authorized to be embossed.   Q: What skill, breast or award badges may be authorized for wear on the PHS uniform?   A:  This question is actually answered by stating the unauthorized skill, breast, or award badges. Theses badges, issued by another uniformed service, are either not permitted on the officer’s uniform of the issuing service or the prevailing practice of officers not wearing a specific badge in the issuing service, if not stipulated in that service’s uniform/award policies. The following list has been vetted through the appropriate issuing uniformed service for verification and interpretation of their policies from their respective Headquarters, Personnel Office, or Commands. Skill, breast, or award badges are worn above the ribbons/medals, pocket seam, or centered on the appropriate pocket as described in policy and not on the actual pocket flap itself. Unauthorized skill, breast or award badges not permitted for wear on the uniform of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service are as follows: ARMY Career Counselor Drill Sergeant Driver OPERATOR - S (for special mechanical equipment) DRIVER - A (for amphibious vehicles) DRIVER - M (for motorcycles) DRIVER - T (for tracked vehicles) DRIVER - W (for wheeled vehicles) Mechanic  MECHANIC (for automotive or allied vehicles) Expert Marksman – all weapons Rifle Pistol Anti-aircraft artillery Auto rifle Machine gun Field artillery Tank weapons Flame thrower Submachine gun Grenade Carbine Recoilless rifle Rocket Launcher Mortar Bayonet Small bore rifle Small bore pistol Missile Aeroweapons Marksman – all weapons Rifle Pistol Anti-aircraft artillery Auto rifle Machine gun Field artillery Tank weapons Flame thrower Submachine gun Grenade Carbine Recoilless rifle Rocket Launcher Mortar Bayonet Small bore rifle Small bore pistol Missile Aeroweapons National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge Recruiter (All levels) Silver – basic level or with achievement stars Gold – with or without sapphire attachments Sharpshooter – all weapons Rifle Pistol Anti-aircraft artillery Auto rifle Machine gun Field artillery Tank weapons Flame thrower Submachine gun Grenade Carbine Recoilless rifle Rocket Launcher Mortar Bayonet Small bore rifle Small bore pistol Missile Aeroweapons Military Academy Professor (Unless actually detailed to USMA) Reserve Recruiter Nuclear Reactor Operator (All levels) Basic Second Class Operator First Class Operator Shift Supervisor Physical Fitness Special Forces Ranger tab Sapper tab President’s Hundred tab Airborne tab Pershing tab Honor Guard tab Mountain tab Military Police (Full size)  AIR FORCE Air Education and Training Instructor including Master Instructor Air National Guard Recruiter Air Force Commander Insignia Air Force Recruiting Service Professional Military Education Base Honor Guard Air Force Academy Professor (Unless actually detailed to USAFA) Outstanding Airman NAVY Area, Force, Fleet, Command (All ranks and levels) E-7 Area, Force, Fleet, Command E-8 Area, Force, Fleet, Command E-9 Area, Force, Fleet, Command E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Recruiter (All levels) Recruiting Command Recruit Division Commander Recruit Division Commander with Gold Wreath Award Career Counselor E-7 Career Counselor E-8 Career Counselor E-9 Career Counselor Navy Security Navy Master-At-Arms Navy Corrections Navy Police Navy Guard Small Craft Petty Officer in Charge Craftmaster COAST GUARD Area, Force, Fleet, Command (All ranks and levels) E-7 Area, Force, Fleet, Command E-8 Area, Force, Fleet, Command E-9 Area, Force, Fleet, Command E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer of the USCG Chief Petty Officer Identification Badge (All levels) E-7 Command Enlisted Advisor E-8 Command Enlisted Advisor E-9 Command Enlisted Advisor Recruiter Company Commander USCG Band USCG Command Enlisted Identification Badge MARINE CORPS Military Police COMMISSIONED CORPS OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) All are authorized for wear. Q:  Without having to dive into the entire award policy, what is the current Order of Precedence for ribbons, medals, and awards on the PHS Uniform? A:  The Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OOCFM) in collaboration with the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO) is in the process of creating a “Build a Rack” with images and correct Order of Precedence for officers to use for assembling their own rack or to check the accuracy of commercial vendor sites. The following list encompasses all currently authorized ribbons, medals, or awards for wear on the PHS uniform: Individual Honor Awards Medal of Honor (Navy, Army, Air Force) Navy Cross Army Distinguished Service Cross Air Force Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (Other Services) Distinguished Service Medal (Public Health Service (PHS)) Silver Star Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement (USCG - DOT Gold Medal) Commerce Gold Medal (NOAA) Defense Superior Service Medal Commerce Silver Medal (NOAA) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Navy and Marine Corps Medal Coast Guard Medal Soldier's Medal (Army) Airman's Medal (Air Force) Gold Lifesaving Medal (USCG) Bronze Star Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal (PHS) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (Other Services) Surgeon General's Medallion (PHS) Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal (PHS) Commerce Bronze Medal (NOAA) Air Medal Outstanding Service Medal (PHS) NOAA Administrator's Award Silver Lifesaving Medal DOT Secretary's Award for Meritorious Achievement (USCG-DOT Silver Medal) Aerial Achievement Medal Commendation Medal (PHS) Joint Service Commendation Medal Commendation Medal (Other Services) DOT Award for Superior Achievement (USCG-DOT Bronze Medal) Achievement Medal (PHS) Joint Service Achievement Medal Achievement Medal (Other Services) Commerce Special Achievement Medal (NOAA) PHS Citation Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon Bar NOAA Corps Director's Award Combat Action Ribbon (Navy, USMC, USCG) Air Force Combat Action Medal Unit Awards Presidential Unit Citation (All Services) Joint Meritorious Unit Award Outstanding Unit Citation (PHS) DOT Outstanding Unit Award (USCG) Army Valorous Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Unit Commendation (PHS) Unit Commendation Ribbon (All Services) Meritorious Unit Commendation (All Services) Army Superior Unit Award Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Navy "E” Ribbon Coast Guard "E" Ribbon Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Non-uniformed Service Decorations Presidential Medal of Freedom Presidential Citizens Medal National Security Medal National Sciences Medal Medal for Merit President's Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Medal National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal National Intelligence Medal of Achievement Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award Secretary of Defense Civilian Meritorious Service Award Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Distinguished Service Medal BOP Meritorious Service Medal BOP Commendation Medal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gold Medal EPA Silver Medal EPA Bronze Medal EPA Distinguished Career Award Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award Navy Award for Distinguished Achievement Science Navy Superior Civilian Service Award Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award Navy Distinguished Public Service Award National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Distinguished Service Medal NASA Flight Medal NASA Medal for Exceptional Bravery NASA Medal for Exceptional Service Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal Merchant Marine Mariners Medal Selective Service Distinguished Service Medal Selective Service Exceptional Service Award Selective Service Meritorious Service Award Department of Commerce (DOC) Gold Medal DOC Silver Medal DOC Bronze Medal Department of Energy Secretary's Gold Award Medal PHS Campaign and Service Awards Smallpox Eradication Campaign Ribbon Hazardous Duty Award Foreign Duty Award Special Assignment Award Isolated/Hardship Award Crisis Response Service Award Global Response Service Award Response Service Award National Emergency Preparedness Award Recruitment Service Ribbon Bicentennial Unit Commendation Uniformed Service Campaign and Service Awards Prisoner of War Medal Air Force Combat Readiness Medal Good Conduct Medal (all Services) Navy Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal Fleet Marine Force Ribbon (Navy/USMC/USCG) NOAA ACO Award Medal Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon (Air Force) Air Force Recognition Ribbon Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal Women's Army Corps Service Medal Women's Army Corps Service (WWII) (Air Force) American Campaign Medal Europe-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal U.S. Antarctic Expedition Medal Army of Occupation Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal for Humane Action National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal Antarctica Service Medal Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Kosovo Campaign Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Coast Guard Special Operation Service Ribbon Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon Army Sea Duty Ribbon Air Force Air and Space Campaign Medal Naval Arctic Service Ribbon Atlantic Service Ribbon (NOAA) Pacific Service Ribbon (NOAA) International Service Ribbon (NOAA) Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon- (Short Tour) Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon (Long Tour) Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon Recruit Training Service Ribbon (Navy) Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon Air Force Recruiter Ribbon Armed Forces Reserve Medal Naval Reserve Medal (obsolete) Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon (obsolete) Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon Military Training lnstructor Ribbon (Air Force) Marine Corps Drill lnstructor Ribbon Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon (Air Force) Basic Training Honor Guard (USCG) Marine Security Guard Ribbon Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Unit Citation Merchant Marine Combat Bar Merchant Marine Korean Service Bar Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Bar Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal (Operations DESERT SHIELD/ DESERT STORM) PHS Regular Corps Ribbon Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon Uniformed Service Training Awards Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Development Ribbon (Army) NCO Professional Military Education Graduate (Air Force) Army Service Ribbon Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (Army) Air Force Training Ribbon Foreign Decorations and non-U.S. Service Awards National Order of Vietnam Military Merit Medal Army Distinguished Service Order Air Force Distinguished Service Order Navy Distinguished Service Order Army Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal Navy Meritorious Service Medal Special Service Medal Gallantry Cross Air Gallantry Cross Navy Gallantry Cross Hazardous Service Medal Life Saving Medal Armed Forces Honor Medal Staff Service Medal Technical Service Medal Training Service Medal Civil Actions Medal Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Korean Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Meritorious Unit Citation* (Gallantry Cross Color with Palm) Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation* (Civil Actions Color First Class Color with Palm) *Note: Only the initial award (ribbon with frame and palm) may be worn. Philippine Defense Ribbon Philippine Liberation Ribbon Philippine Independence Ribbon United Nations Service Medal United Nations Medal North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal (Yugoslavia Bosnia/Kosovo). Multinational Force and Observers Medal Inter-American Defense Board Medal/Ribbon Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait) Korea War Service Medal Marksmanship Ribbons Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon NOAA Corps Rifle Ribbon (obsolete) NOAA Corps Pistol Ribbon (obsolete) Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Air Force) Association Ribbons – only worn while attending meetings or conferences of the Association Commissioned Officers Association (COA) Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) Reserve Officers Association (ROA) Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

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