Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) Uniforms Submitted by LT Kyle Lyons, USPHS, 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   Battle Dress Uniform The Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management has received e-mails and calls inquiring about the authorization to wear the Woodland Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) and/or the U.S. Coast Guard/NOAA Operational Duty Uniform (ODU). At this time, the current uniforms to be used for deployments are the BDUs or the working khakis. The working khakis are being phased out effective 1 August 2009. BDUs will continue to be authorized for the indefinite future, pending final decisions regarding the working uniform. Effective 1 January 2009, all officers are required to own at least one complete set of the BDUs (see Section 6 of Commissioned Corps Issuances CC26.3.4 or CC26.3.5, Uniforms for Male Officers and Uniforms for Female Officers, respectively at http://dcp.psc.gov). As the Armed Forces are transitioning to service-specific working uniforms, the supply of BDUs will diminish. All officers are urged to procure their BDUs and related component parts now while supplies are available. Physical Training Uniform The former Assistant Secretary for Health signed a Decision Memorandum stating that the Corps will adopt a Physical Training Uniform (PTU) similar to that of the U.S. Navy. OCCFM/OCCO is working with the Navy Clothing and Textiles Research Facility and Navy Exchange Command to finalize design and military specifications. Additional uniform policy and guidance will be issued when logistical issues are complete. Identification Cards A reminder to officers presenting for active duty identification cards, whether it be at the Tower Building, in Rockville, Maryland or at any military installation around the country, regulations require active duty members to be in uniform. Being in uniform means appropriate uniform shirt, appropriate rank and insignia, belt with buckle, uniform pants, or skirt (for female service members), shoes, and adherence to the appearance and grooming standards per policy (e.g., jewelry, uniform fit, uniform serviceability, hair length, hair bulk, hair style, etc.). Improper uniform wear not only brings discredit to the offending officer, but the Service as a whole. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) identification card issuing personnel may refuse to seat and photograph officers if they do not meet these standards. Hurricane Season and Uniform Components The start of Hurricane Season (1 June – 30 November) is less than 3 months away. Therefore, Corps officers are encouraged to buy necessary Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) components now while supplies are available. The black PHS t-shirt and Command Ball Cap are historically in short supply at the onset of Hurricane Season. Every year since the extremely busy 2005 Hurricane Season, Corps officers have deployed somewhere in the Gulf Coast region. The uniform shops in many of the military facilities in the Gulf Coast area do not carry Corps insignia, undershirts, or Command Ball Caps. Additionally, more than likely, they will not stock large quantities of Woodland BDUs. Please see Commissioned Corps Issuance CC26.3.7, “Special Uniform Situations,” for all necessary components and accessories for a complete BDU uniform. It is recommended that Corps officers buy ‘extra’ insignia and devices and have them on hand in their sea-bag (mobility bag or go-bag) in case the need of replacement arises. Additionally, please see the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment’s Web site http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/faq_gobag.htm for items to bring or not bring on deployment. Anticipate that a local vendor will be closed or inaccessible and you won’t be able to obtain personal hygiene items or other necessary items. Only pack the sea-bag heavy enough so that you can carry it by yourself. The green G.I. duffle bag is available at NEX/AAFES online or many local military uniform shops.   QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS   Q:  I am prior Navy enlisted and earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia and the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia. When I was in the Navy, we worn one badge above the ribbons/pocket and the second on the pocket flap below the ribbons. Is this correct in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service? A:  According to Personnel Policy Memorandum 08-019 http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/PPM08_019.pdf, skill badges are worn on the left side of the uniform, above the left pocket or ribbons. Skill badges are not worn on the pocket flap. Regardless of how many skill badges or awards are authorized, only two may be worn at one time.  Q:  How is the optional PHS unit patch supposed to be oriented on the left sleeve of the BDUs? A:  The patch should be oriented so the “1798” is at the bottom and parallel to the deck/floor.

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