• Frequently Asked Questions

  FAQ on CCD 122.02 “Force Distribution and Management”

  Previous Version	New Version
  Title - Force Management	Title - Force Distribution and Management
  Had a single set of distribution of permanent grades for the Regular Corp.	Adds force distribution percentages authorized for the Ready Reserve Corps and new percentages for the Regular Corps
  Stated that the targeted personnel end strength of the Regular Corps shall be based on the active-duty strength at the beginning of the fiscal plus five percent.	Establishes the maximum number of Regular Corps and Ready Reserve Corps officers authorized at the beginning of any fiscal year to be 8,000 and 3,000, respectively
  Specified that 4% of the Regular Corps would be at the O-1 level, 11% O-2, and 36% O-3	Combines the percentages for the O-1, O-2, and O-3 grades into a single grouping with one percentage (ranging from 17.49% in FY22 to 25% in FY27) for increased flexibility
  Did not address the possibility of exceeding the assigned percentages at the lower grades by using excess numbers at the higher grades.	Authorizes the USPHS Commissioned Corps to “borrow” excess numbers in higher grades to cover inadequate numbers in lower grades, but not the other way around.
  Did not address temporary grade distributions.	Clarifies the force distribution limitations for temporary grades.
  Did not address service obligations.	Establishes service obligations for all newly appointed officers to the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

  Who is responsible for force management distribution?

  The Secretary bases the targeted strength of the Regular Corps and Ready Reserve Corps on the ongoing health workforce needs of the Service. The Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) must evaluate the force management distribution annually to ensure that the USPHS Commissioned Corps does not exceed the authorized distribution.

  What is the size of the USPHS Commissioned Corps?

  Subject to available appropriations, the strength of the Regular Corps shall not exceed 8,000 officers at the beginning of any fiscal year. The authorized distribution by grade is based on the strength at the beginning of the fiscal year.

  What is happening to temporary promotions?

  Starting no later than 1 October 2023, the USPHS Commissioned Corps will no longer use temporary promotions for grades O-1 through O-6, except as authorized in CCD 122.01, “Promotions” (see also Section 6-2.d. and FAQs for CCD 122.01).

  How will temporary promotions work for grades above O-6?

  The number of temporary flag grade promotions is limited to 1 percent of the highest number, during the ninety days preceding such day, of officers of the Regular Corps on active duty and officers of the Ready Reserve Corps on active duty for more than thirty days. The number of temporary flag grade promotions to the O-8 grade and above, is limited to one-half the number of flag officers serving in the O-7 grade. These limits do not apply the officers serving as the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), Surgeon General (SG), Deputy Surgeon General (DSG), Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the U.S. Coast Guard, Chief Dental Officer, Chief Engineering Officer, Chief Nurse Officer, Chief Pharmacist Officer, or senior policymaker positions at the Department of Defense.

  What changes is CCHQ making to the distribution of grades?

  The combined O-1, O-2, O-3 grades will grow from 14.79% of the USPHS Commissioned Corps in FY 2021 to 25% by FY 2027. The O-4 grade will grow from 30.34% in FY 2021 to 35% in FY 2027. But O-5 will shrink from 30.91% to 25% and O-6 from 23.96% to 15% over the same time period.

  What will be the final percentages?

  Effective FY 2027 and subsequent years, the authorized distribution must not exceed the following percentages (except as authorized in Section 6-2.c.): Permanent O-6, 15.0%; Permanent O-5, 25.0%; Permanent O-4, 35.0%; Permanent O-1, O-2, and O-3, 25.0%. This means the lower grades will grow and the higher grades will shrink.

  What will the USPHS Commissioned Corps do to achieve these percentages. Will it become harder to get promoted?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps will manage the percentage of officers through accessions, losses (attrition, rather than dismissals), and promotions, so that the authorized distribution does not exceed the percentages outlined above. Because the percentages of officers at the O-1 through O-4 levels are scheduled to grow, this policy should not restrict promotions to these grades. The USPHS Commissioned Corps may not involuntarily separate officers solely to achieve or maintain the authorized grade distribution.

  What are the numbers and percentages for officers in the Ready Reserve?

  Subject to available appropriations, the strength of the Ready Reserve Corps may not exceed 3,000 officers at the beginning of any fiscal year. The authorized distribution by permanent grade is based on the strength at the beginning of the fiscal year and, subject to the Secretary’s annual fiscal year review, may not exceed the following percentages (except as authorized in Section 6-2.c.): Permanent O-6, 10.0%; Permanent O-5, 15.0%; Permanent O-4, 25.0%; and Permanent O-1, O-2, and O-3, 50.0%.

  Is the USPHS Commissioned Corps allowed to exceed these percentages?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps may use excess numbers in higher grades to cover inadequate numbers in lower grades (e.g., if the number of Ready Reserve Corps officers at the O-6 grade is 8%, the USPHS Commissioned Corps may use the excess 2% to allow the percentage of O-4 officers to exceed 25%). However, the USPHS Commissioned Corps must not use excess numbers in lower grades to cover inadequate numbers in higher grades.

  Are any officers excluded from these percentages?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps may exclude officers who are in the Medical and Dental categories. However, the number of Medical and Dental officers excluded must not exceed 7 percentage points more than the authorized strengths. It also may exclude retired officers who are recalled to active duty during the period of a war or emergency declared by Congress or otherwise authorized by law, or when the President has declared the USPHS Commissioned Corps to be a military service. However, the number of such officers excluded must not exceed 7 percentage points more than the authorized strengths.

  What new service obligation does the USPHS Commissioned Corps require for new officers in the Regular Corps?

  Starting on 1 June 2022, officers originally appointed and called to active duty in the Regular Corps must serve in the USPHS Commissioned Corps for a minimum of eight years (combined active and reserve duty). The USPHS Commissioned Corps expects an officer to serve on active duty for at least four years; however, it only requires two years of active-duty service. An officer who serves less than two years forfeits certain benefits specified by the ASH. An officer must serve any remaining portion of the eight-year CSO that was not served on active duty in the Selected Ready Reserve (SELRES) or, in accordance with the strategic direction of the SG, the Director, Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ), may assign the officer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

  What is the service obligation for new officers in the Ready Reserve?

  Members of the Ready Reserve Corps are normally former members of the Regular Corps and are subject to the CSO. However, a member originally appointed to the Ready Reserve Corps must serve a minimum CSO of six years. Such members may fulfill an unserved portion of the CSO on active duty in the Regular Corps if the President and USPHS Commissioned Corps approves the member’s transfer and appointment.

  Are there exceptions to this service requirement?

  The SG may authorize a CSO that is less than the periods outlined above for members in specialties the SG has identified as a critically short health professional specialty. However, the SG must not authorize a CSO that is less than two years, or less than a training obligation or a special pay obligation that a member has incurred.

  What happens if an officer resigns without completing the service obligation?

  With the approval of the ASH, an officer may resign from the USPHS Commissioned Corps because of a personal hardship prior to completing the CSO when the ASH determines that the USPHS Commissioned Corps can relinquish the officer’s services and/or it would be in the interests of the government to accept the resignation. In such a case, The ASH can require such officers to repay the unearned portion of any bonus, incentive, or similar pays in accordance with 37 U.S.C. § 373.

  The ASH can require such officers to pay an amount equal to twice the total amount of tuition, fees, and other necessary expenses received by the officer during a period of training and twice the total amount of any compensation (to include but not limited to pay, allowances, special pays, travel, transportation and shipment of household goods) received by or paid on behalf of the officer during a period of training (see 42 U.S.C. § 218a).

  When the ASH requires an officer to pay the government under Section 6 4.(d)(1) or (2), this is subject to the collection of an indebtedness under the procedures in 45 C.F.R. Part 30.

  Last Updated: 2/25/22
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