• Frequently Asked Questions

  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on CCI 241.02, “Deployment of Public Health Service Officers”

  This FAQ provides information on some of the new changes to Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) 241.02, “Deployment of Public Health Service Officers.” These FAQs are intended merely to give an overview of changes and to clarify policy where needed. PHS officers still should read and familiarize themselves with the policy.

  What changed in the new version of CCI 241.02,“Deployment of Public Health Service Officers?”

  Previous Version	New Version
  Did not include exemptions from deployment.	Authorizes officers to request a time-limited exemption from deployments for periods during which the officer is experiencing a significant hardship.
  Did not empower anyone to pull officers from intra-agency deployments for other deployments.	Empowers the Surgeon General (SG) to pull officers from intra-agency deployments if the mission of the USPHS Commissioned Corps dictates.
  Did not include Dwell Time.	Adds Dwell Time and defines it as the period immediately following a deployment’s end, during which the USPHS Commissioned Corps will not deploy an officer to a future deployment without the officer’s consent.
  Did not include Alert Status Expectations.	Adds Alert Status Expectations, detailing that officers must be ready to deploy within 12 hours of notification (8 hours for members of the Public Health and Emergency Response Strike Team).
  Did not include pre-deployment operational security measures.	Requires officers to complete annual Operational Security (OPSEC) training and adhere to the planning, preparation, execution, and post-execution activities of OPSEC.
  Did not include operational security requirements while on deployment.	Adds a subsection that prohibits officers from sharing information about deployments (including photographs and recordings) without approval or withholding from the chain of command and failing to disclose subversive activities or unauthorized access to classified or sensitive information.

  What can an officer do when experiencing a temporary hardship that would make the officer unable to deploy?

  Officers can request a time-limited exemption from deployments for periods during which the officer is experiencing a significant hardship (e.g., life-threatening illness or death of an immediate family member). The officer must submit the request to the Corps Care Program (phscorpscare@hhs.gov or 240-276-9616).

  Who approves exemptions from deployment?

  The Director, CCHQ is responsible for approving an exemption that lasts for no more than six months or denying the requested exemption. Requests will be forwarded to the Director, CCHQ through Corps Care.

  What happens if the officer needs a longer exemption?

  If a hardship still exists at the end of an approved exemption, the officer can send a request through Corps Care for the Director, CCHQ, to approve an extension of an approved exemption. Except in unusual circumstances, exemptions will not exceed one year.

  If an officer is already serving an intra-agency deployment, can the USPHS Commissioned Corps require the officer to leave that deployment to serve an emergency deployment?

  Yes, the SG can pull officers from intra-agency deployments, if the mission of the USPHS Commissioned Corps dictates, when the ASH has approved the release of officers due to an emergency or major disaster declared by the President or a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

  What is ”dwell time?”

  Dwell time is the period immediately following a deployment’s end, during which the USPHS Commissioned Corps will not deploy an officer to a future deployment without the officer’s consent (see Personnel Operations Memorandum (POM) 821.76, “Deployment Procedures”).

  What is “alert status?”

  “Alert status” is a period when officers must be prepared to deploy within 12 hours of notification (8 hours for officers on the Public Health and Emergency Response Strike Team (PHERST)). Officers have regularly scheduled “on-call” periods when they are on “alert status.” PHERST officers are on “alert status” throughout the year. During this alert status, the officer must pack a bag with the necessities for a deployment of 30 days. The official notification of deployment will provide more specific information about duration and location as available. While on alert status, the officer must remain in locations that permits them to travel to the officer’s home airport within four hours or 250 miles. An officer’s home airport is determined by the officer’s duty station.

  Does this mean the USPHS is reviving the concept of on-call months?

  No, the alert status in Section 6-4. of this policy  mentions an “‘on call’ schedule” for officers based on their assignment to a rapid deployment unit or an augmentation group. The policy does not say how long this ‘on call’ schedule lasts.

  What happens to leave during an alert status?

  The SG will determine whether leave will be withheld while officers are on alert status. If the SG withholds leave for officers in alert status, CCHQ will return unused scheduled leave time to the officer’s account. Officers should adhere to the eCorps system’s instructions to communicate that they did not take scheduled leave.

  How does the USPHS Commissioned Corps handle alert status during emergencies, disasters, and public health emergencies?

  During a declared emergency, disaster, or public health emergency that is not within officers regularly scheduled on-call period, CCHQ will notify officers at least 24 hours before CCHQ puts the officer on alert status after which they are on alert status and must be prepared to deploy within 12 hours of notification. This alert status period will last until the officer goes on deployment or CCHQ notifies them that the alert period is over. This alert status can last no more than 30 days unless extended by the Director, CCHQ. Once an alert status ends, CCHQ will not put the officer on alert status again for another 30 days unless the Director, CCHQ, declares an emergency need for that officer (e.g., the officer has specific skill or training that is unique to the deployment needs).

  What operational security measures does CCHQ require of officers to prepare for deployment?

  Once it becomes available, officers must complete annual Operational Security (OPSEC) training and adhere to the planning, preparation, execution and post-execution activities of OPSEC during all phases of deployment operations, to include, but not limited to, the signing of a non-disclosure agreement when requested. They must remain familiar with and complete any training related to critical information or Controlled Unclassified Information and OPSEC indicators. Officers will be notified when and how to complete the relevant trainings in the future.

  In order to preserve operational security on deployment, what are officers prohibited from doing?

  Officers are prohibited from sharing deployment information and documents, distributing any visual information and/or deployment presentation documentation without first submitting to that deployment’s CCHQ Public Information Officer (PIO). CCHQ prohibits officers from taking photographs or video recordings of personnel movements or operations while deployed and from transmitting or displaying any information relating to USPHS/HHS Operations on any website or other shared medium without the proper written authorization. In addition, officers are prohibited from withholding from the chain of command and failing to immediately disclose: any information concerning sabotage, terrorist activity, or subversive activities that may pose a direct threat to USPHS personnel, other individuals, or to a deployment’s mission; requests by anyone for illegal or unauthorized access to classified or sensitive information; or contact with an individual who an officer has reason to believe is targeting the officer or any other personnel for exploitation. If there is no PIO in the deployment, officers should follow the information in the deployment packet on how to proceed. When there is no Command Cell set up, the contact is the resource email for RDB, PHSDeployment@hhs.gov.

  Last Updated: 3/1/22
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