• Training

  U.S.  Army War College (USAWC)/U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS)

  Blended Education Program

  The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) are offering opportunities for Public Health Service officers to participate in two exceptional programs: the Distance Education Program (DEP) and the Blended Education Program (BEP).

  Background

  The US Army War College educates and develops leaders for service at the strategic level while advancing knowledge in the global application of Land power. The purpose of U.S. Army War College currently in our Nation's history is to produce graduates from all our courses who are skilled critical thinkers and complex problem solvers in the global application of Land power. Concurrently, it is our duty to the Army to also act as a "Think Factory" for Commanders and Civilian Leaders at the strategic level worldwide and routinely engage in discourse and debate on ground forces' role in achieving national security objectives.

  USAWC graduates are effective senior leaders who:

  • Think strategically and skillfully develop strategies to achieve national security objectives.
  • Provide strategic context and perspective to inform and advise national level leaders, providing sound, nuanced and thoughtful military advice.
  • Apply intellectual rigor and adaptive problem solving to multi-domain, joint warfighting, and enterprise level challenges.
  • Lead teams with expert knowledge and collaborate with others to provide innovative solutions to complex, unstructured problems.
  • Exercise moral judgment and promote the values and ethics of the profession of arms.
  • Convey complex information and communicate effectively and persuasively to any audience.

  Blended Education Program (BEP)

  The BEP is a 10-month full-time virtual program. The Public Health Service officer will be a full-time student and not be allowed to work at their duty station.  The training provides advanced professional education for senior military officers and their counterparts in federal agencies and foreign armed forces. Instruction focuses on war, strategic studies, leadership, national security policy, and the planning and execution of major operations.

  The curriculum includes:

  • examination of strategic, creative, ethical systems and critical thinking, the nature of leadership in a strategic environment, strategic management systems to fulfill national military strategy and the functions of planning, programming, and budgeting systems.
  • study of U.S. national security policy, national military strategy, and associated decision-making processes.
  • study of the art and science of theater strategic warfare.
  • implementation of strategic guidance in developing near-and long-term plans and programs, theater organization, joint and multinational operations, and campaign planning and design.
  • examination of seven regions of the world within an analytical framework.
  • completion of an oral comprehensive examination.
  • completion of an in-depth research project on a topic of strategic interest and value to senior national security leaders.

  BEP Overview

  Schedule:	BEP Academic Year (AY)  August 04, 2025 –June 04, 2026   TDY to Carlisle, PA:  Orientation and Foundations course (August 03-30, 2025) 1 week for NYC Staff Ride (October 27-30, 2025) China Course and comps (TBD: 4 weeks in February -March 2026) 1 week for DC Staff Ride (May 11-14, 2026) 1 week for National Security Seminar Week and graduation (May 29 – June 05, 2026)
  Location:	Virtual
  Program Length:	10 months
  Officers per Date:	1
  Ranks Eligible:	O-5 and O-6 with a minimum 15 years of service
  Selecting Official:	Deputy Surgeon General

  There is no tuition for this training; however, the selected Public Health Service officer’s agency must continue to pay the officer’s salary/benefits and all per diem and travel expenses (agency must pay the Public Health Service officer’s travel related to the nine weeks of mandatory TDY portions at the Army War College. Dates are TBD). The Public Health Service officer will return to their current duty station after completion of this training.

  Service Obligation:

  Per Commission Corps Instruction (CCI) 325.01, “Extramural and Intramural Training and Obligation,” upon satisfactory completion of the course, Public Health Service officers will incur an active-duty service obligation to the USPHS Commissioned Corps that is twice the length of the program. Prior to the start of the training, the officer, the USPHS Commissioned Corps, and the Agency/OPDIV/Program in which the officer serves, must agree to a Letter of Support (LOS) on the arrangements for the officer's assignment upon completion of the training.

  Minimum Qualifications Needed to Apply:

  • Rank of O-5 /O-6 with a minimum of fifteen years in the service with exceptional senior organizational experience in policy development, strategic planning, and program management (exceptions may be considered for those O-5/O-6 officers with less than 15 years of service).
  • Serve in a position graded GS-14 (O-6 billet) and above, transitioning from an operational level to strategic level perspective.
  • Possess an overall strong record of performance which reflects the potential for effective service at more senior levels.
  • Must demonstrate strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing
  • Must be competitive for advancement in the USPHS Commissioned Corps through all statutory promotion boards.
  • Eligible for a Secret clearance.
  • Basic Readiness status for previous 3 years.
  • No active Adverse Actions.

   Application materials: 

  • Supervisory approval (e-mail or letter).
  • A copy of your unofficial academic transcripts is required (minimum Bachelor’s degree required). After acceptance, the USAWC Registrar’s office can provide instructions to request official transcripts be sent from the officer’s undergraduate institution directly to the USAWC Registrar Office.
  • Current standardized promotion curriculum vitae.
  • A letter of Intent (maximum 1 page) explaining why you would be a good fit for the program or course of interest and how you plan to use the skills/knowledge gained to advance the mission of the USPHS Commissioned Corps, and attesting you meet all conditions of service.
  • A full-length photo in uniform, standing at attention in the Operational Dress Uniform and Service Dress Blues (professional photos not required).
  • Long Term Training packet.  Will be initiated once nominated for the training program.
  • FORM PHS-1122-1
  • FORM PHS-1662
  • FORM PHS-6373
  • FORM PHS-6374
  • FORM PHS-1881
  • FORM PHS-1881-2
  • Letter from the Public Health Service officer’s agency agreeing to continue to pay the Public Health Service officer’s salary while attending the BEP and all expenses related to the nine weeks of mandatory TDY portions at the Army War College.

  To Apply:

  All Public Health Service officers interested in participating in this training opportunity must:

  • Complete the registration form via the link below.

  US Army War College- Blended Education Program (BEP)Application submission

  • Submit the application materials in one PDF to PHSCOTA@hhs.gov using the subject line: US Army War College- Blended Education Program (BEP)

  Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST January 27, 2025.

  All applicants will need to be available/scheduled for an interview the week of February 10-14, 2025, with final selections made by February 24, 2024.

  Last Updated: 12/18/2024
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