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- About the Training Branch
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- Officer Basic Course (OBC)
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- Capstone Leadership, Education, Analysis, Development, Sustainment (LEADS)/Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute (JMESI) Course
- Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC)
- Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA)
- Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute (JMESI) Intermediate Executive Skills (IES)
- Office of National Drug Control (ONDCP)
The USPHS Commissioned Corps is committed to our mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. Public Health Service officers are trained and equipped to provide crucial public health leadership, assist with policy development, advance innovation and science, provide essential care services and respond to national and global public health emergencies. Through our Active Duty Regular Corps, our Public Health Response Strike Team (PHERST) and our Ready Reserve Corps, we remain responsive and available to rapidly deploy in the service of health.
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Commissioned Officer Training Academy
Officer Basic Course (OBC)
The Officer Basic Course (OBC) provides training in the values and skills necessary to represent the Surgeon General as a commissioned officer. This two-week virtual course is an orientation to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and life in the uniformed services. OBC also provides training and information on officer competency and career development, uniformed service customs and courtesies, force readiness and deployment, and other essential areas.
Officers who successfully complete this course are awarded the Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon (CCTR).
OBC Questions and Preparation:
All officers going through the Call to Active Duty (CAD) process will receive information from the Call to Active Duty and Recruitment (CADRe) Team. All officers enrolled in OBC will receive information from the COTA Team directly. The COTA Team will communicate office hour availability to address any questions in preparation for OBC via email.Uniform of the Day: To be determined per Uniform of the Day POM or civilian equivalent.
Training Academy Venue
William F. Bolger Center
9600 Newbridge Drive
Potomac, MD 20854Course
NumberCourse Dates*
Graduation
11:00 a.m.OBC 155
November 03 – 15, 2024
Nov 15
January 05 – January 17, 2025 (cancelled)
Jan 17
OBC 156
March 23 – April 04, 2025
April 04
OBC 157
May 11-23, 2025
May 23
OBC 158
July 06 – 18, 2025
July 18
OBC 159
August 03-15, 2025
Aug 15
OBC 160
September 14-26, 2025
Sept 26
*Training dates are subject to change
For the latest information on upcoming COTA training events, please subscribe to the COTA Events listserv.
To receive volunteer opportunities and notifications, please subscribe to the COTA Volunteer Opportunities listserv.
For any additional questions relating to OBC, please email the COTA Team at: phsobc@hhs.gov
Last Updated: 2/25/2025
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USER ASSISTANCE
Please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . FAQs are located at the top of the page next to the search function.
Having Access Issues or Need IT Help? Please contact the Commissioned Corps Helpdesk at: CCHelpDesk@hhs.gov
COMMISSIONED CORPS NEWS
Officer Spotlight January 2025
Officer Spotlight
Practice Hours Opportunities
Practice Hours Opportunities
2023 Temporary Grade Promotions
CC News Announcement 2023 Temporary Grade Promotions
Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance
Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance
Surgeon General Priorities
Surgeon General Priorities
January 2021: United States Public Health Commissioned Corps Doctrine
The link above will take you to the Noncompetitive Promotion Roster for Promotion Year 2020.
FAQs Practice Hours and Special Pay Changes
This is first in a series of FAQs, more FAQs will be forthcoming on Practice Hours and Special Pays.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mission - Deployments Readiness Updates
As we position ourselves to assist with controlling the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please note that we’re in an “all-hands on deck” status. Messaging has gone out from the Assistant Secretary for Health reminding Commissioned Corps officers of their deployment responsibilities...
Protecting, Promoting and Advancing the Health and Safety of Our Nation. Commissioned Corps Headquarters
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300
Rockville, MD. 20852
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