Commissioned Corps BulletinOctober 1, 2015

Presidential Unit Citation Awarded to The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps: Remarks from RADM Giberson.

For the first time in our history, the Commissioned Corps received a Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The President of the United States, our Commander-in-Chief, presented the PUC to the Commissioned Corps for our response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. As written in the Citation, “Commissioned Corps officers were the only United States Government asset to provide direct patient care to health care workers with Ebola in West Africa.”

C-Span, ABC Radio and other major outlets covered this historic day. The HHS Secretary, Sylvia Burwell, Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, U.S. Surgeon General, VADM Vivek Murthy, and Commissioned Corps leadership are extremely proud of you.

To help answer any questions, I’d like to share some background about the PUC, the heraldry, colors and symbols, and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Background:

President Obama presented the PUC on September 24, 2015 to the Commissioned Corps during an Oval Office ceremony. The event was even more distinctive as Oval Office ceremonies for unit awards rarely occur. This PUC was awarded to all Corps officers, including Ready Reserve officers for “extraordinary courage and the highest level of performance in action throughout the... response to the Ebola outbreak.” Whether deployed to West Africa, staffing quarantine stations or emergency operations centers domestically, back-filling positions or volunteering, this was an all-Corps response.

Please take the time to read the Presidential Unit Citation, signed by President Obama.

Heraldry:

In early December 2014, discussion commenced about how to recognize our Corps - as we envisioned this response would be successful and historic. These discussions included fact finding and the idea for the PUC and other unique campaign awards. We engaged early with the Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) in this effort. As part of the Department of the Army, TIOH furnishes heraldic services, such as the organization and design of decorations, flags, streamers, agency seals, coats-of-arm, badges, and medals to all uniformed services and branches of the federal government.

Our work with TIOH encompasses research, design, development, standardization, quality control, and other services which are fundamental to the creation and custody of official heraldic items – a necessary step in the approach to a new award. We continue to work closely with TIOH in the design of other new Corps awards including the Ebola Campaign Medal (ECM) and the Expeditionary Attachment (EA). More information about those awards is forthcoming.

PUC Colors and Symbolism:

Every color and layout of stripes is officially documented in TIOH. Official colors of the PUC – as documented by TIOH are the following:

• Golden Yellow (Pantone 67104)
• Navy Blue (Pantone 67180)
• Brick Red (Pantone 67113)
• White (Pantone 67101)

Symbolism of the official colors with this mission:

• Golden Yellow: Generosity and elevation of the spirit.
  • Symbolizes our roots in quarantine medical service (“quarantine yellow”) and willingness to put Service before self, to protect, promote and advance the health and safety of the Nation.
• Navy Blue: Truth and loyalty
  • Symbolizes our maritime and ‘Sea Service’ history.
  • Symbolizes our unwavering allegiance to the Nation through our Commissioning process and oath of office.
• Brick Red: Perseverance in battle. Victorious.
  • Symbolizes our silent war on disease - steadfast and resolute. In this case, Ebola was contained in West Africa.
  • Four red stripes represent our four core values exemplified in response: Leadership, Service, Integrity and Excellence
• White: Purity, freedom from disease, peace and sincerity
  • Symbolizes our diplomacy, partnerships, and outcomes with our missions both domestically and internationally.

For additional information about the PUC, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please direct any additional questions to your CPOs and liaisons. Please understand CCHQ staff members are engaged in many issues, including Direct Access implementation, and may be much slower to respond. CCMIS and the Commissioned Officers’ Awards Program (COAP) website will also be updated as more information becomes available.

Finally, we encourage all of you to take the time to recognize, both informally and formally, our civilian colleagues that dedicated themselves to responding, supporting the response, and supporting the Corps through leadership decisions and advocacy. Without their tremendous commitment and leadership, none of this would be possible.

Although this was a historic response for the Corps, we are stronger and better because of it. Our value is high, our credibility is apparent – our mission is clear. I am certain of one thing, when a future event threatens the health of the Nation and the world, we will be ready once again.

With Pride,

RADM Scott Giberson
Assistant U.S. Surgeon General

Newer articles Earlier articles