Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) Uniforms

Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) Uniforms

Submitted by LCDR Kyle Lyons, USPHS, Uniform Policy Coordinator,
Workforce Policy and Plans Division, Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management

Please note: Any uniform questions can be sent electronically to LCDR Lyons at
james.lyons@hhs.gov or 240-453-6098

As the seasons change from summer to fall and soon into winter, it is time to dust off and bring out the heavy coats and get them prepared for the best (or worst) Mother Nature can throw at us. Be it the All-Weather Coat, the Reefer, the Over Coat (Bridge Coat), Windbreaker, M-65 Field Jacket or Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), there are numerous methods and additions that can be worn to supplement the basic uniform. All of the outerwear listed above may be worn with the appropriate colored scarf (white for service uniforms and olive drab for the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), black leather gloves and black ear muffs/flaps. BDUs may be worn with the U.S. Marine Corps Woolly-Pulley sweater (but not as an outer garment) and thermal undergarments. Most of the jackets/coats, with exception of the Reefer and Bridge Coat, come with an optional liner*. If your jacket/coat did not come with one or is a hand-me-down, liners can usually be obtained from the Navy Exchange (NEX) or the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) for a nominal fee. The All-Weather Coat, Reefer, and Bridge Coat are not authorized with the BDU**.

* Liners are not to be worn as the only outer garment over a uniform. The Army authorizes the black or olive drab fleece liner to be worn over their Army Combat Uniform (ACU); this is not authorized in the Corps or in any of the other uniformed services.

** At some military bases/posts that provide Basic Military Training/Basic Training for new enlisted troops, it is non-uncommon to see troops with All Weather Coats in BDUs. This is a local exception to Department of Defense (DoD) regulations and not for general wear after Basic Training. First round of uniforms are issued to enlisted members, and based on the time of year, the ECWCS parka may not be available.

A reminder, just because you ‘saw’ another member of a uniformed service wearing something or wearing it differently than the Corps, does not mean that the Corps follows the same manner of wear of that service. Check the Commissioned Corps Issuance System for uniform specifics and manner of wear if you have questions.

Also, Corps officers detailed to another uniformed service, except the U.S. Coast Guard, must follow the rules set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/A) on uniform wear. Unless specifically spelled out in the MOU/A, Corps officers are not authorized to wear uniforms of the host uniformed service. Regardless of whether Corps officers are on a detail or on an MOU/A or not, Corps officers are not authorized to wear the uniform of other services without authorization (and yes, this does happen!). If a Corps officer is wearing another service’s uniform on a military installation, without authorization, they may be subject to punishment under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the difference between the Pea Coat and the Reefer? Can I wear a Pea Coat from Wal-Mart?

A: The key difference in the Pea Coat and the Reefer are the buttons and straps for hard shoulder boards. Enlisted members wear the Pea Coat, which is a heavy wool coat, that when properly tailored, comes to mid-thigh in length. The buttons on the Pea Coat are large black plastic buttons with an anchor stamped into the plastic. The Pea Coat does not have shoulder straps for hard boards. Warrant and commissioned officers in the Navy and the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) wear the coat known as the Reefer. The Reefer is worn with six gold colored 35 or 40 line PHS buttons (3 buttons in a vertical line on each side of the opening of the coat). The buttons may either be attached by stitching or metal bodkins, depending on when or who manufactured the coat. Additionally, black cloth tabs/straps are placed on each side of the shoulder for placement of the hard boards. The Reefer must meet the military specifications set forth by Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility and the Defense Supply Center. A ‘Reefer' made from a modified commercially available Pea Coat is not acceptable for wear as a uniform item (i.e., purchasing a Pea Coat from a local big box store and replacing the buttons with PHS buttons).

Q: I have heard about a pilot uniform project that explores the option to wear the U.S. Coast Guard Foul Weather Type II Clothing System. What is this about?

A: In March 2009, the then acting Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) signed Personnel Policy Memorandum (PPM) 09-005, “Pilot Uniform Project,” which is available at http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/PPM09_005.pdf. The pilot project runs from March 2009 through 1 June 2010. Officers and duty locations were selected, based upon input from Commissioned Corps Liaisons of the Operating Divisions (OPDIVs), Staff Division (STAFFDIVs) and non-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) organizations. The pilot uniform system may be paid for by either the individual officer or the OPDIV, STAFFDIV, or non-HHS organization. Individual purchases remain the property of the officer, while OPDIV, STAFFDIV, and non-HHS organizational purchases remain the property of the Government or entity purchasing the item. Officers who are not in the pilot study are NOT AUTHORIZED to wear the pilot clothing system while in uniform, pending final review of the study. For further information, officers should contact their Commissioned Corps Liaison.

Q: Are male officers allowed to wear a plain long/short sleeved white dress shirt without epaulettes and soft boards while in the Modified Service Dress Blue mode?

A: No, the male officer’s dress shirt, according to Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) CC26.3.4, “Uniforms for Male Officers,” states the shirt must be “made of plain white authorized fabric, with long sleeves and plain buttons, convertible or French cuffs. Must have epaulettes for soft shoulder marks. A single left breast pocket without a pocket flap is required. Collar points measure no more than 3-1/4 inches and have a medium spread. Collar devices, ribbons, or name tag shall not be worn with this shirt.” The windbreaker jacket or sweater maybe removed in the officers immediate work space. Officers may not wear the All Weather Coat, Reefer, or Bridge Coat with only the white dress shirt.

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