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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
 
Reminder Regarding the Army Sweaters

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 the 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.

Reminder Regarding Ribbons and Order of Precedence
Several commercial premier ‘thin ribbon’ companies continue to have incorrect order of precedence on their Web sites. Officers are reminded to check Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) CC26.3.3, “Wear of Ribbons and Medals,” at http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM26_3_3.pdf for correct order of precedence and not to rely solely on the vendors’ ‘build a rack’ to be in compliance with the Instruction. At the request of the vendors, the Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) and Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO) have supplied the vendors with the correct order of precedence.

Reminder Regarding Wear of Skill Badges or Breast Insignia/Awards from Other Uniformed Services

There have been several questions about the wear of skill badges or breast insignia/awards from other uniformed services. An officer who has earned skill badges or breast insignia/awards from other uniformed services must (re)submit copies of his/her DD-214/215 (or other supporting documentation to support the officer’s claim of authorization) to the Corps Awards Coordinator. The Corps Awards Coordinator will then issue a memorandum and place the memorandum into the officer’s electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). This must be accomplished before the officer is authorized to wear the badge(s).

Officers who where prior enlisted and have earned skill badges or breast insignia/awards from other uniformed services may only wear skill badges or breast insignia/awards that are worn on the awarding services officers’ uniforms. For clarification, for example, an Airman earns the Basic Parachutists Badge (BPB) then obtains a commission in the Air Force. The BPB is authorized for wear on the Air Force officers’ uniforms, therefore it will be allowed on the Corps uniforms. However, an enlisted Soldier in the Army earns a marksmanship badge and later becomes a commissioned officer in the Army. The marksmanship badge earned as an enlisted Soldier is not authorized for wear by officers in the Army, therefore it is not authorized for wear on the Corps uniforms. These are only two examples; however there are many enlisted-only badges that are not authorized due to not being worn on officers’ uniforms in that specific or issuing uniformed service. Corps officers are also authorized to wear no more than two (2) skill/award badges and/or two (2) breast insignia or identification badges at a time, regardless of how many have been earned or awarded. Skill/award badges are worn above the ribbons on the left side of the appropriate uniform and are not worn on the pocket flap. In the event the officer’s skill/award badges are covered by the officer’s uniform collar or lapel, the officer may shift the skill/award badges to the left, centered ¼ inch over the left most ribbon on the ribbon rack or ¼ inch above the lower skill badge, if two (2) skill/award badges are worn.
 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 
Q:  May I wear the black ‘watch cap’ or knit cap with any uniform?
A:  No, the watch cap or knit cap is not authorized for wear by officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps). This cap is a junior enlisted cover, therefore not authorized for wear by Corps officers. Corps officers may wear earmuffs, or in extreme weather, the balaclava hood. Please see CC26.3.7, “Special Uniform Situations,” at http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM26_3_7.pdf for uniform options for extreme weather uniform wear. 

Q: I still continue to see officers wearing Association ribbons. I thought this was disallowed for general daily wear?  
A:  Correct. Association ribbons are not authorized for routine daily wear. CC26.3.3, “Wear of Ribbons and Medals,” at http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM26_3_3.pdf , dated 28 August 2008, section 6-19 defines when/where these ribbons may be worn.

Q:  I saw an officer wearing rank insignia on both collars of the BDU. Is this authorized? 
A:  No, officers shall wear the subdued sewn-on grade insignia on the right collar and the subdued sewn-on PHS Corps device on the left collar. Also, metal pin-on rank insignia or Corps device is not authorized. Subdued metal rank insignia is not authorized.

Q:  What are the options for the name on the black leather name tag for the 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.
  1. The leather nametag will be embossed with gold lettering, with all capital letters;
  2. 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;
  3. The proper abbreviation of officer’s rank will be placed on the lower left of the nametag (e.g., LT, LCDR, and CAPT);
  4. The abbreviation USPHS will be placed on the lower right of the nametag; and
  5. Only one duly authorized skill badge may be embossed on the nametag. The skill badge will be centered at the top of the nametag.
  1. Operating Division (OPDIV), Staff Division (STAFFDIV), and non-HHS organizational logos (e.g., Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Prisons, Environmental Protection Agency) are not authorized to be embossed.
  2. Identification badges (e.g., Health and Human Services (HHS) Identification Badge, Associate Recruiter Badge or Officer in Charge Badge) are not authorized to be embossed.
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