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America's Health Responders - U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSIONED CORPS
Volume 10, No. 1     February 21, 2014
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Commissioned Corps Issuance System
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Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) Uniforms
Submitted by LCDR Kyle Lyons,USPHS, Uniform Policy Coordinator,
Force Management and Policy Group, Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness

Please note: Any uniform questions can be sent electronically to LCDR Lyons at james.lyons@hhs.gov or 240.453.6098
  • On January 1, 2014, the prohibition of the use of tobacco, tobacco products or electronic/synthetic/vapor cigarettes (e-cigarettes), while in uniform or on duty, went into effect. Any officer who is caught smoking or using tobacco, tobacco products or e-cigarettes while on duty or in uniform will be subject to Disciplinary or Administrative Action, including and up to Involuntary Separation or Involuntary Retirement.

    While on the topic of Disciplinary or Administrative Actions in regards to uniforms and uniform wear, officers are again reminded of the requirement to wear the uniform while in the performance of his/her duties. The non-wearing of the uniform, without a waiver, will no longer be tolerated. Officers who refuse to wear the uniform can expect disciplinary action when they are discovered. As members of a uniformed service, the expectation is that you will wear a uniform. For those who feel they are “above the rules”, DCCPR and the liaisons will be aggressively pursuing officers who fail to wear their uniform, or fail to wear it properly.

    The required wear of the uniform is a condition of service. Failing to wear the uniform may result in loss of special pays, loss of other benefits, such as but not limited to loss of telework/alternative work schedules, denial of awards, travel, deployments, and removal from promotion lists. Don’t throw away an entire career and lifetime of benefits just because you choose to not wear a uniform.

  • As the nation as a whole continues to be gripped in one of the coldest (and in some parts, snowiest) winters in several years, officers are reminded that wearing non-authorized outer wear in prohibited. At no time are articles of non-uniform clothing, such as coats, sweaters, mittens, scarves etc authorized for wear with the uniform. As the Uniform of the Day memorandum allows, in periods of inclement weather or where officer safety is a concern, the ODU/BDU may be worn, at the discretion of the local command or duty station. Officers, who are engaged in long-term outdoor work or activities, may wear additional outerwear as authorized by Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI), CC26.3.7,“Special Uniform Situations.” Long-term outdoor activities do not include walking from your home to your vehicle, walking from your vehicle to the mass transit station/duty station.
  • Q.
  • I have seen an officer wearing a metal identification badge on his/her sweater is this authorized?
  • A.
  • No, the only authorized items on the Navy Pullover Sweater are the shoulder marks and the leather nametag patch. Badges, pins, metal rank insignia or any other items are not authorized on the sweater.

    Earned skills/qualifications badges (e.g., jump wing, etc.) are authorized; however, designs such as agency logos or identification badges (e.g. Office of the Secretary Identification Badge (OSIB)) are not authorized.

    Do not wear the plastic nametag over the Velcro® patch.

    For further information and guidance, email: phsccuniform@hhs.gov.

  • Q.
  • It’s been nearly 6 years since the restriction of wearing association ribbons for daily wear has been authorized, however, I still see officers wearing them. When can an officer wear the association ribbons?
  • A.
  • According to CC26.3.3, “Wear of Ribbons and Medals,” dated 28 August 2008, subsection 6-19, Association and Organization Awards states, “Each of the organizations listed below sells a ribbon and/or medal which officers may be authorized to wear on the Corps uniform after all uniformed service ribbons, foreign decorations and non-U.S. Service Awards. Medals and ribbons sold by these organizations may be worn only while actually attending meetings, conventions or while participating in parades or other ceremonies as a member of these organizations. These ribbons/medals are not authorized for routine daily wear. The order of precedence is as follows:

    Commissioned Officers Association (COA)
    Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
    Reserve Officers Association (ROA)
    Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)

    Note: An officer may only wear a medal or ribbon listed under this Subsection if the officer also wears an approved uniformed service decoration or service award at the same time.”

    Simply put, if you are not actually in a meeting, convention etc, the routine daily wear is prohibited.
     
  • Q.
  • Now that the PHS Officer’s Device Supply Center has closed, where can officers obtain OP/STAFFDIV or non-HHS organization-centric name tags?
  • A.
  • We continue to seek a vendor who is able supply the name tags that meet the military specifications and keeps cost at a reasonable/fair price for the officers. At this time, no vendor is able to make the name tags with these set parameters. As soon as a vendor is located, officers will be notified through their respective liaison.
Health and Human Services
Public Health, Commissioned Corps
HHS, Office of Public Health and Science
Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness
Tower Building
1101 Wootton Parkway, Plaza Level Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20852