Volunteer at the USO (United Services Organization)

The ACOA is seeking volunteers that would like to take part in supporting the Jean R. Amos USO Center at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in 2008. We staff the USO on the third Saturday of each month from 0800 to 1100 and 1100 to 1400.

The USO’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of the United States Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide, and to create a cooperative relationship between United Military communities and those involved or supporting civilian communities.

The USO’s flagship operation is at the Jean Amos Center at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This USO Center, because of its strategic location in the world’s busiest airport, assists many thousands of service members annually.

In 2008, Commissioned Corps volunteers are needed on the following days (all Saturdays): August 16, September 20, October 18, and November 15. Shifts are available on all days from 0800 to 1100 and 1100 to 1400.

LCDR Maleeka Glover is coordinating ACOA officer activities at the USO. If you would like to volunteer, please contact LCDR Glover, 770.488.6492, to let her know which day(s) and time(s) you are available.

Please consider volunteering and be a part of sharing our camaraderie and community service to those who serve in the uniformed service. This is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for everyone! Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your service!

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Annual Physical Fitness Test—New Quarterly Schedule

Upcoming APFTs at St. Pius High School will be help on September 20 and December 13 and will continue on a quarterly basis. Officers requiring an APFT before September may contact CDR Dieser to schedule an individual test at the Roybal Lifestyle Center. Please plan ahead to maintain your basic readiness.

ACOA administers the Commissioned Corps Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Each officer is responsible for (1) ensuring they are in good health and able to complete all events; (2) submitting their completed Physical Readiness Standards Report (PHS Form 7044) to Medical Affairs Branch and (3) entering their data on the CCRF web-site. You may use this APFT as a practice or for record. It takes approximately an hour for an officer to complete the three components of the APFT, which include: a review of the standards, push-ups, sit-ups or the side-bridge, and a 1.5 mile run/walk. All three components must be completed during the testing session to pass the APFT. For more information on the qualifying standards for the annual physical fitness test see the OFRD website.

For additional information, please contact CDR Edward Dieser.
Where: St. Pius X High School Track, Atlanta GA.
Bring: Water; and a towel and mat if desired. Ensure you are well-hydrated for the event.

CAPT Ralph O'Conner enjoys his sidebridge	CDR Gail Williams providing encouragement during the sit-ups

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Atlanta Area Uniform Shop Closing

The Atlanta Naval Air Station uniform shop is closing. It will be moving to the other side of the base at some point in the near future and combined with the Air Force uniform shop at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base Exchange. Personnel at the store indicate they will continue to carry some PHS insignia (shoulder boards, for example) but they will no longer be carrying new Navy/USPHS uniforms (shirts, trousers, skirts) and their current inventory is very low. Atlanta-area officers will need to order their uniform components from one of the mail order vendors. The CDC Commissioned Corps Personnel Office lists other uniform sources. Of course, you are always encouraged to check out the ACOA Uniform Store (see announcement below).

Sources to Obtain Uniforms and Components:

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ACOA Uniform Store

Don’t forget that ACOA has a uniform sale and swap! This is an important part of our fundraising efforts and your contributions make a difference.

Contact us if you have uniforms and/or uniform components (rank insignias, etc.) that you wish to donate, or if you would like to purchase these items at very reduced rates. We also swap gently-used shoulder boards. A full listing of the current uniform shop inventory is available at ACOA's website.

Please contact the representatives below for donation instructions:

Male Uniform Contact: LT Jasen Kunz, 404.639.3419, MS F-05
Female Uniform Contact: LT Jamie Mutter, 404.639.0769, MS F-05

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PHS Flag Sales

In an effort to support esprit de corps, as well as to raise funds to support organization activities, ACOA developed and sells full-size USPHS flags and US/USPHS miniature flag desk sets. These flags are available for purchase by USPHS officers and civilians nationwide. These flags were purchased for use by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), as retirement, birthday and holiday gifts, and much more. The full size PHS flag design is not readily available from any other source and makes a great addition to your home or office. It can also serve as a great gift for fellow officers on any special occasion.

The USPHS flag sells for $55 and the US/USPHS flag desk set sells for $18. ACOA members receive a discount and can purchase the USPHS flag for $50 and the US/USPHS flag desk set for $16. For more information, please contact LTJG Chris Fletcher, 770.488.0755.

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Articles

Atlanta COA Officers Packing and Delivering Meals to Those in Need—May 31, 2008
Submitted by LT Paula Peters and LT Melanie Ross

Thirteen officers participated in the debut of a new community service opportunity at Project Open Hand. Battling Saturday traffic in Midtown Atlanta, officers set out to deliver healthy meals to homebound seniors and other Atlanta residents who are living with chronic, critical, or terminal illnesses. Equipped with a hairnet and apron, officers also packed meals in coolers, worked food packing machines, and did kitchen clean-up duty. Clients were happy when their meals arrived and the officers were just as fulfilled to provide a much needed service. The volunteer-driven nonprofit organization also provides dietary counseling and nutrition education.

"I had the pleasure of home delivery… Some of the homebound seniors I delivered to just wanted to chat and providing this small comfort felt very rewarding."—CDR Kathy Slawson
 

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Atlanta Area United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Promotion Ceremony
Submitted by LCDR Danice Eaton

On July 25, the Atlanta Commissioned Officers Association (ACOA), in conjunction with CDC/ATSDR, recently hosted the Annual Atlanta Area USPHS Commissioned Corps Promotion Ceremony in Auditorium A, Building 19, at CDC’s Roybal Campus. This year we were very excited to have officers participating in the ceremony from many federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons, Health Resources and Services Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During the ceremony, invited officers, guests, family members, and colleagues heard welcoming and congratulatory remarks from LCDR Danice Eaton, President, ACOA. RADM Steven Solomon, Director of CDC’s Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service, provided welcome and congratulatory remarks on behalf of Dr. Julie Gerberding, the Director of CDC/ATSDR. RADM Clara Cobb, Regional Health Administrator, Region IV and Acting Regional Director for Region IV, also offered congratulatory remarks on behalf of the many Commissioned Officers in the Atlanta area who serve other agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the many other agencies across the federal government. CAPT Dan Cline, Director of the Commissioned Corps Personnel Office in the Office of Workforce and Career Development at CDC, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. The keynote address was given by RADM Robert C. Williams, Acting US Deputy Surgeon General. RADM Williams gave an inspiring keynote address about the Corps.

The ceremony honored approximately 35 officers who had been recognized for their accomplishments by receiving a promotion in rank during the 2008 Promotion Year. As part of the ceremony, newly promoted officers had one shoulder board replaced with their new rank by RADM Williams. Each promoted officer also brought an Honored Guest, a family member, co-worker, or friend, to replace their other shoulder board. Officers in attendance were promoted to Lieutenant Commander, Commander, and Captain.

The Colors were posted by the PHS Honor Guard, and the Atlanta-area PHS Choral and Wind Ensembles performed during the ceremony. A reception immediately followed the ceremony.

Special thanks were extended to the ACOA Special Projects Committee, the CDC Commissioned Corps Personnel Office/OWCD, CDC/ATSDR, the PHS Honor Guard and Wind and Choral Ensembles, and the volunteers who graciously offered their assistance in planning and implementing the 2008 Promotion Ceremony. In particular, LCDR Eaton thanked LT Jamie Mutter, Chair of the ACOA Special Projects Committee, who’s weeks of intense planning culminated in a special event for all who attended.

The Wind and Choral Ensembles perform the National Anthem as the Honor Guard salutes the flag	Newly promoted officers and their guests enjoy themselves at the reception
RADM Williams gives the keynote address	RADM Williams, newly promoted LCDR Anna Satcher-Johnson, and her husband, Pierre Johnson following the ceremonial changing of the boards

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