Q&A Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service 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

On 11 March 2010, the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) signed the revised Special Uniform Situations policy. Here are a few changes:

The black knit/watch cap is authorized for wear with the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU); Please note: This cap is not for wear with any service or dress uniforms.
The capped toe combat boot is reauthorized; and
The option to wear the last-name name tape above the right rear pocket of the BDU trousers is authorized.

The Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) and the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) are continuing to explore options to replace the inevitable phase-out and dwindling supply accessibility of the Woodland BDU and components, by the other services. The sundown dates for the last two of the Armed Forces wearing the Woodland BDU (Air Force and Navy) are in fall 2010 and spring 2011, respectively, for phased-out wear of the Woodland BDUs.

With the signing of the ‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,’ all previous Reserve Corps officers will eventually become Regular Corps officers. Officers may not wear the Regular Corps Ribbon until the award is posted into the officer’s electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). Please do not call requesting posting of this award to your eOPF as this will be done in due time by the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO), Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support. Wearing of ribbons, medals, decorations, etc., without proper authorization may be punishable under the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, Public Law No: 109-437, which amended 18 USC §704 http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/704.html or 42 CFR §21.23 False Statements as Disqualification.

Questions and Answers

Is the Service Dress Blue (SDB) uniform actually black or is it blue?

According to the Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility in Natick, Massachusetts, the SDB is in reality, blue. About 30 years ago, the SDB was a dark navy blue, however it was extremely difficult to match the color due to the various colors needed to make that specific color. The official color is blue black, standard color 3346, which is the darkest blue dye before reaching black. Because of its specificity, standard color 3346 is the easiest to match with other components and other SDB uniform items.

Is wearing of the Command Ball Cap authorized for wear inside a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) medical facility with the coveralls?

As a sea service, it is not customary to wear a cover of any type indoors. However, like most customs or rules, there are of course some exceptions. If an officer is performing activities like inspections, when an officer is “under arms” (carrying a firearm or other weapon, to include the PHS sword), is preparing/handling food, etc., a cover is authorized.

Can jackets or coats be worn unbuttoned/zipped?

In most instances, the answer is no. If wearing a coat, all buttons must be buttoned (with exception of the very top button, for example, located at the neck on the Reefer, M-65 Field Jacket, BDU blouse and the All-Weather Coat). If wearing the windbreaker jacket, the jacket must be zipped at ¾ of the way up to the top. Except in extreme cold or foul weather conditions, the jacket is not zipped all the way to the top, or the top buttons on items listed above are buttoned. If wearing the SDB coat or Service Dress White (SDW) coat, while seated, the bottom button of the jacket may be unbuttoned for comfort. It must be re-buttoned upon standing.

Per Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI 413.01), CC26.3.7, “Special Uniform Situations,” dated 11 March 2010, pregnant officers may wear all outerwear unbuttoned when the items no longer fit properly and up until 6 months postpartum. This includes the maternity cardigan. The goal is not to cause financial hardship to a pregnant officer just because she is pregnant and forcing her to buy multiple (and very expensive) outer garments.

What are the measurements for the placement of rank insignia and the miniature cap device on the khaki garrison cap?

Per (CCI 431.01) CC26.3.6, “Insignia and Devices,” dated 1 March 2009, both rank insignia and miniature cap device shall be 2” from the front edge and 1½” from the bottom edge of the garrison cap, centered on the rank insignia and miniature cap device.

Q.	There used to be restrictions on wearing sweaters outside; are those restrictions still in place?
A.	No. That restriction referred to the Army cardigan sweater, which is no longer authorized. You may wear the Navy sweater or the maternity cardigan, outside as appropriate.

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