• Frequently Asked Questions on POM 821.85, “Commissioned Service Obligations”

  What does POM 821.85, “Commissioned Service Obligations” do?

  POM 821.85, “Commissioned Service Obligations” provides operational guidance to implement Commissioned Corps Directive (CCD) 122.02, “Force Distribution and Management.”

  What is a “Commissioned Service Obligation” (CSO)?

  A CSO is a commitment to provide service in the USPHS Commissioned Corps (in either the Regular Corps or the Ready Reserve) for a set amount of time.

  What is an Active Duty Obligation (ADO)?

  An ADO is a commitment to provide service on Active Duty in the Regular Corps of the USPHS Commissioned Corps for a set amount of time. An officer cannot serve an ADO in the Ready Reserve Corps, only the Regular Corps.

  How is a CSO different from an ADO?

  The difference between an ADO and a CSO is where an officer must serve this obligation. An officer may serve a CSO in either the Regular Corps or the Ready Reserve Corps. An officer must serve an ADO in the Regular Corps, not in the Ready Reserve.

  What obligations may be served concurrent with the CSO?

  An officer may serve other obligations (e.g., ADO for special pay, training) concurrent with the CSO outlined in this POM. Even after completing this CSO, an officer must still complete all other outstanding ADOs before requesting separation from the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

  What is the CSO for new Regular Corps officers?

  A candidate for the Regular Corps must agree to serve for a minimum of eight years, which must start with at least four years in the Regular Corps except for medical, dental, and veterinary officers who have a four-year obligation. After four years, the officer may choose to transfer to the Ready Reserve Corps for the remainder of the CSO’s time. Or the officer can stay in the Regular Corps and complete the CSO there. If the officer transfers to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), the officer serves the CSO on a two for one basis (i.e., every two months served in the IRR counts as one month of the CSO).

  What is the CSO for Ready Reserve officers?

  A candidate for an appointment to the Ready Reserve Corps who is not requesting an inter-component transfer from the Regular Corps must agree to serve a minimum CSO of six years in the Selected Reserve (SELRES). If the Director, CCHQ, transfers an officer to Active IRR before the officer completes their SELRES CSO, the USPHS Commissioned Corps will place the officer’s CSO on hiatus until the officer transfers back into the SELRES.

  After serving a minimum of three years in an active status, an officer of the Ready Reserve Corps may request an inter-component transfer to the Regular Corps and then, once approved, fulfill the remaining portion of the CSO in the Regular Corps.

  What is the CSO for officers in special programs?

  A candidate for appointment to the programs/positions outlined in Section 4 must agree to serve in the USPHS Commissioned Corps for the following periods (See POM for details):

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) or Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS) - minimum of two years in the Regular Corps. To stay in the USPHS Commissioned Corps after completing the program, the officer must serve an additional six-year CSO (with at least two of these years in the Regular Corps.)
  2. Indian Health Service (IHS) Pharmacy Residency Programs (PGY‑1) – minimum 1 year CSO (two for eligibility for benefits). To stay in the USPHS Commissioned Corps after completing the PGY-1 residency the officer has a seven-year CSO (including at least three years in the Regular Corps), unless selected by IHS for a PGY-2 residency (with a six-year CSO (at least two in Regular Corps).
  3. National Institutes of Health (NIH) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fellowship Training Programs – CSO for length of Fellowship. To stay in USPHS Commissioned Corps – eight-year CSO (including Fellowship time, at least four in the Regular Corps). Must serve at least two years for benefits. 
  4. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). See requirements in in CCD 125.03, “Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.”

  What is the CSO for COSTEP officers?

  Candidates for the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP) do not have a CSO for time while in the Ready Reserve Corps, in which they serve on active duty while in school. However, they must submit an agreement to accept the CSO when they transfer to the Regular Corps after graduation , unless they applied for a commission as a SRCOSTEP prior to 1 June 2022. As with other new officers in the Regular Corps, they must serve the eight-year CSO, including four years on active duty in the Regular Corps before they have the option to request a transfer to the Ready Reserve. There is no CSO for candidates for the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP).

  What is the special CSO for Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Candidates?

  Candidates for the Regular Corps with a qualifying degree in the medical, dental, or veterinary professions must agree to serve for a minimum of four years (combined Regular Corps and Ready Reserve) unless they are a candidate for one of the Special Programs listed above (or applied for a commission prior to 1 June 2022). However, as with other candidates, medical, dental, and veterinary candidates must serve for a minimum of two years in the Regular Corps to be eligible for certain benefits upon separation from the Regular Corps (see Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) 387.01). They are eligible to request a transfer to the Ready Reserve Corps after two years in the Regular Corps; although Commissioned Corps Headquarters can deny the request if it is not for the good of the Corps.

  What is the CSO for non-career appointments?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps does not require a candidate for a position that is traditionally temporary and political in nature (e.g., positions that require appointment by the President and confirmation by the Senate) to submit a CSO agreement.

  What are the CSOs for former officers in the Corps who rejoin?

  A former member of the USPHS Commissioned Corps (with at least four years in the Corps) who wants to rejoin the Regular Corps must agree to serve for a minimum of four years.  However, officers who previously served less than four years in the USPHS Commissioned Corps, must agree to serve a combined total of eight years, with partial years not counted.) Again, officers must serve for a minimum of two years in the Regular Corps to be eligible for certain benefits upon separation (see CCI 387.01).

  A former member of the USPHS Commissioned Corps who wants to join the Ready Reserve Corps must agree to serve for a minimum of six years regardless of the number of years previously served.

  Does this policy apply to applicants already under consideration?

  This policy applies to candidates who applied on or after 1 June 2022. Candidates who applied for a commission prior to 1 June 2022 must agree to serve for a minimum of two years in the Regular Corps (except under Section 4.d., f., and g.). However, the policy does apply if CCHQ closed an application submitted prior to 1 June 2022 and the candidate submits a new application.

  What happens if an officer tries to separate from the USPHS Commissioned Corps before completing the CSO?

  A Regular Corps officer who serves less than two years on active duty forfeits certain benefits specified in CCI 387.01, “Separation of Commissioned Officer.” Also, new officers sign an agreement that says the USPHS Commissioned Corps can reject a resignation of commission submitted prior to completion of the length of their CSO.

  Last Updated: 8/3/22
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