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
This month’s Uniforms article contains the following:
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(Item 1) Questions and Answers;
(Item 2) Proper Way to Roll Battle Dress Uniform Sleeves;
(Item 3) Samples of Authorized and Not Authorized Leather Nametags for
Wear on the Navy Sweater; and
(Item 4) Garrison Cap Nomenclature and Device Placement.
A: No, only the black leather name patch is authorized.
Q: Where can the black leather name patch for the Navy Sweater be purchased? Is the embossed Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB) available for the name patch?
A: The black leather name patch may be purchased from the Navy Exchange Web site at https://www.nexnet.nexweb.org/pls/nexauth/wg_select_speed. The gold embossed FMRB has been cleared for wear on the black leather name patch. It may be purchased directly from the vendor, Vanguard-East, at phone number 1-800-221-1264. Approval is pending with other vendors.
Q: Do I have to wear my ribbons with my PHS uniform?
A: Ribbons are a required component of the PHS service uniforms. Ribbons are not worn on the working khaki, working winter blue and indoor duty white. If you have more than one row of ribbons, you have the option of wearing only the highest row (referred to as your ‘high 3’).
Q: Are sneakers authorized for wear with the PHS uniform when an officer is commuting from public transportation stations or a privately-owned vehicle to his/her office?
A: No. Sneakers are not authorized for wear with the PHS uniform and should not be worn with the uniform at any time, unless a medical waiver is on file with Medical Affairs Branch, Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services.
Q: Is the Blue Garrison Cap (BGC) without gold piping authorized for wear by Corps officers?
A: No, the BGC without gold piping (e.g., U.S. Navy BGC) is not authorized for wear by Corps officers. Only the BGC with gold piping is authorized for wear with approved PHS uniforms.
Q: What is the difference between a pea coat and the reefer?
A: The pea coat, with plastic black buttons with anchors, and no shoulder tabs for hard shoulder boards, is a Navy enlisted coat ONLY. The reefer has six large (35 or 40 line) (three per side) gold PHS buttons and two black tabs on each shoulder to hold the appropriate hard shoulder board rank.
ITEM 2 - PROPER WAY TO ROLL BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM SLEEVES
Step 1:
Lay the sleeve out and flatten it.
Fold over the top of the sleeve approximately two fingers width. You can fold it more or less depending on the thickness of your biceps and how snug you want the sleeves to be.
While gripping the fold you've just made, fold over the cuffs about three fingers wide. This is the start of the sleeve roll.
Step 4:
While continuing to hold the initial fold, continue the roll that you've started.
Repeat this several times until the roll is about 6 to 8 inches from the shoulder seam, above the elbow.
In the end, if done properly, the roll should be snug around your arms and not too puffy. Don't worry if it's really tight around your arms, you can always loosen it up but be careful about loosening it up too much otherwise it won't look as sharp and you'll want to start over.
Finished product!
For further uniform information and guidance, email: phsccuniform@hhs.gov
ITEM 4 - GARRISON CAP NOMENCLATURE AND DEVICE PLACEMENT
