Update on Commissioned Corps Uniform Changes - October 2008 Update

By CDR Bruce Tierney

In a July 5th, 2007 memorandum and an August 28th, 2007 memorandum former Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), ADM John Agwunobi, highlighted 15 separate decisions he made that impacted both uniform as well as grooming and appearance issues that will affect Commissioned Officers over the next several months and years. As previously noted, one of the driving forces behind these changes was the desire of the ASH to help move the Corps towards a structure for uniforms and appearance that is more consistent with our fellow uniform service officers in the Navy, in part to give officers a single source for acquiring uniform components.

This article will provide officers with an update on the status of each of these policy decisions, to include those decisions that have already been acted on and the current progress that has been made on those policies not yet formally announced by the Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) and the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). Officers should continue to keep a close eye on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System (CCMIS) web site for the latest updates and information in the form of a Personnel Policy Memorandums (PPM) and Personnel Operations Memorandums (POM). In addition please see the enclosed table for a summary of information available at this time.

Item 1. Daily Uniform Wear: The order for required daily wear of the PHS uniform by the Acting Assistant Secretary for Health has now been released and published on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System (CCMIS) web site. The update of CC26.3.2 authorizes the daily wear of the PHS uniform for all Regular and Reserve Corps officers on extended active duty and to officers called to active duty for short tours of duty or limited tours of duty effective 01 JUL 2008 unless they meet one or more of the exemptions and exceptions noted in Section 6-2 of the new policy. Prescribed uniforms for wear will continue to be published published twice a year and will now be based on the Uniform of the Day memorandum from the Surgeon General in his new role as the National Uniform Authority (described further below).

Item 2. Adopt the Navy Official Uniform Policy and Regulations in Regards to Wear and Appearance of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU): A number of Commissioned Corps uniforms are expected to undergo a transition to reflect changes to the Navy uniform inventory in the near future with the adoption of the NWU. Currently the Navy has not yet released the specific uniform regulations changes that will go along with the NWU. However the Navy is still expected to make the NWU available sometime in the summer or fall of 2008. The Commissioned Corps is then expected to recommend a phase-in of the PHS version of the NWU which is still estimated to begin in mid 2009. Until the Navy officially releases the NWU for wear, along with the associated changes in uniform regulations, there is not likely to be much action on this policy change. It is still expected that the adoption of the NWU will result in an eventual phase-out of the Corps' Working Khaki, Working Winter blue, and tropical working uniforms to match the expected changes to Navy uniform regulations. Some of these uniform changes have already been announced in PPM 08-020. It will also likely affect the PHS BDU as well at some point but these details may not be known until the Navy deploys the NWU. It should be noted that Navy needs may alter or change phase-in /out (some initial delay has already occurred) and the planned PHS policy revisions will be flexible to reflect the potential need to change as well.

Item 3. Alignment of Current Corps Uniform Regulations with Navy Regulations: A number of changes may eventually result from the effort to make Commissioned Corps uniform instructions match the Navy as closely as possible. As a result the current instructions for uniform wear will be revised as needed and drafts of these revisions are currently underway. These changes include the elimination of the Service Blue (“salt and pepper”) uniform, poly/cotton Khaki uniform and Winter Blue uniform (both service and working version), along with several uniform components such as the Black Garrison Cover with gold piping. All these changes will be effective 1 AUG 2009 as noted in PPM 08-020. It should be noted that there will likely remain some uniform items that are distinct to the Commissioned Corps. These include the PHS command ball cap and the black PHS T-shirt worn with the current BDU. But these items are available on the Navy Uniform Website for purchase which is consistent with the goal of the ASH to provide a single source for officers for all Commissioned Corps uniform needs.

Another change that is already taking place is the replacement of the current Army style V-neck black pullover sweater with the Navy style V-neck black pullover sweater so that officers will be able to purchase this item from the Navy Uniform website along with all other uniform components. This transition to the wear of the Navy pullover sweater will also create a requirement for a Velcro backed leather nametag to be worn by PHS officers on the sweater instead of the standard PHS nametag currently pinned on the Army pullover sweater. PPM 07-014 provides for the wear of the Navy pullover sweater beginning 01 January 2008 and also provides instructions on the appropriate format for the required leather name tag. Pinning the standard uniform nametag to the sweater as is currently done with Army pullover sweater will not be acceptable practice on the Navy pullover sweater. Both the sweater, in light weight acrylic and heavy weight wool materials, and the leather nametag may be ordered from the Navy Uniform website. The Army pullover sweater and the Army cardigan sweater may no longer be worn starting 01 January 2009 as indicated in POM 08-001. In between those two dates either sweater will be acceptable for wear by officers.

Effective 24 September 2008 three updated uniform Instructions were released; Male Uniforms: CC26.3.4, Female Uniforms: CC26.3.5, and Special Uniform Instructions: CC26.3.7. These updated Instructions incorporated the phase out of certain uniforms and uniform components previously noted in PPM 08-020. In addition several new items that officers should be aware of in these updated instructions include the addition of the BDU to the required uniform list beginning 1 January 2009. Officers will also be expected to wear all ribbons on the Service Dress Blue and Service Dress White uniforms, not just the top three ribbons. Top three ribbons are still permitted on other service uniforms. Also included in this update is the PHS version of the Navy Coverall uniform which is now permitted for wear in certain very specific circumstances and a general description of the Flight Uniform which also may be authorized under specific circumstances. Female officers will be pleased to note that the wear of the beret with Khaki uniforms has now been officially authorized.

Item 4. Uniform Allowance: The ASH has authorized the Commissioned Corps to seek an increase in the amount of the uniform allowance to match that of the Armed Forces (37 USC 415(a) authorizes members of the Armed Forces to receive a one time uniform allowance of $400. The Armed Forces are also authorized, under 37 USC 416, an additional $200 for specific criteria, as specified in 10 USC 2106 and 2107). It must be noted that this requires concurrence from the Assistant Secretary of Legislation and possibly the Office of Management and Budget and is not under the direct control of the PHS. It presently is unclear whether current officers who have already received a uniform allowance will receive any additional payment or if the new uniform allowance of $400 will apply only to future officers. In addition it remains to be determined if current officers will be eligible for the additional $200 payment for specific criteria as noted above.

Item 5. Wear of Ribbons and Medals (PHS and non-PHS): The new instructions for the wear and display of all ribbons and medals earned by an officer in the Commissioned Corps, other uniformed services and other Federal agencies or departments has now been published as an update of CC26.3.3. In addition to authorizing the wear of some medals and ribbons not previously permitted it establishes a new precedence or order for medals and ribbons worn by Commissioned Officers. In particular there is now a specific precedence for wear of Corps Campaign, Service and Training awards. It also reflects the decision by the ASH to no longer authorize the wear of association medals and ribbons except under specific circumstances, such as when actually attending a meeting or conference. This change is consistent with current Navy uniform regulation.

Item 6. Authorization for wear of any skill, qualification or identification badge earned in another uniformed service or in the Corps: Officers now have new instructions for the wear of skill and breast badges as detailed in PPM 08-019 which takes effect starting 28 AUG 2008. Officers are now permitted to wear essentially all badges earned as a PHS officer except as limited by the number and placement of the badges. In addition badges earned while with other uniformed services may be worn on the PHS uniform although proper documentation and authorization must still be provided to the Awards Coordinator, Office of Commissioned Corps Operations, that the badge has been awarded. There are a few badges that will not be permitted on the uniform and these include: Shoulder tabs and metallic shoulder tab replicas such as, the President’s Hundred, Ranger, Airborne, Special Forces, and other similar tabs. These items are not authorized for wear on the PHS uniform. Officers will be permitted to wear a maximum of two breast badges (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ID Badge, Recruiter Badge, Officer in Charge Badge) and two skill or qualification badges (e.g., PHS Field Medical Readiness Badge, Navy Flight Surgeon Badge, Army Parachutist Badge or ”jump wings”).

Note that if you wear a PHS badge and a badge from another Uniform Service that the PHS badge takes precedence and is worn higher. Also new is the authorization to wear skill badges such as the FMRB on the Working Khaki and Working Winter Blue uniform, which is consistent with current Navy uniform instructions.

Also of note in PPM 08-019 is that Section 4 appears to indicate that the full size FMRB now may be authorized for wear on Dinner Dress uniforms in lieu of a miniature version although this is not completely clear. Typically in other services only miniature skill badges are worn on Formal and Dinner Dress uniforms. Whether or not a miniature version of the FMRB will be available at a future date is still not known.

Item 7. Proposal for New Badge – PHS Aviation Medicine Flight Wings: The ASH did not approve this proposal so no further action is required at this time.

Item 8. Proposal to Change the Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB): It was recommended and approved by the ASH that the FMRB, currently the only PHS skill badge, be changed from pewter to gold in order to align with other sea service traditions, including the Navy. PPM 08-004 authorizes the wear of the gold version of the FMRB beginning 1 January 2008. The PPM also authorizes a miniature version for formal wear and a cloth version for BDU's.  In addition officers who currently wear the pewter version of the FMRB may continue to do so until 31 December 2008 at which time only the gold version will be authorized. Currently the pewter FMRB is available through the Navy Uniform Website and from the PHS Officer's Device Supply Center. The gold FMRB may also now be available through the Navy Uniform Website or the PHS Officer's Device Supply Center but officers should call to determine its availability. The gold version of the FMRB should be available through the Vanguard Military Insignia store. However it is not currently available on their website so officers should call the store at 1-800-221-1264 (Vanguard EAST location only, Item #3653705) to inquire about availability of the new gold FMRB. Presently there is no definitive availability information on a miniature version.

Item 9. Align PHS Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards with those of the Navy: In order to meet current Navy standards it is necessary to remove the authorization for wear of the beard except for persons diagnosed with pseudo-folliculitis barbae and to continue authorization for mustaches as defined in Navy regulations. PPM 07-012 has already been published to set the date to remove the authorization for wear of the beard as 1 January 2008. In addition it defines the requirements for obtaining a waiver if indicated. Further changes to Personal Appearance and Grooming standards will be forthcoming in a revision of the current instruction to match PHS standards to those of the Navy for appearance and grooming issues such as tattoos, body piercing and mutilation, hair length, cosmetics and jewelry.

Item 10. Assign the Surgeon General as the National Uniform Authority (NUA): PPM 08-012 has now been released establishing the Surgeon General as the National Uniform Authority (NUA) and defining the role of the Surgeon General (SG) in determining the appropriate uniform of the day. A seasonal uniform Personnel Operations Memorandum (POM) will be issued by the Office of the Surgeon General in the spring and fall of each year. The Surgeon General may also further delegate uniform authority to a Local Uniform Authority as appropriate. Draft policy is currently in development to further define how this delegation of authority will be operationalized. While it may remain similar to the current system of LUA’s the end result will be that the Surgeon General will have the final say in the uniform of the day for all officers in the United States except as noted in the new policy.

Item 11. Develop Policy for Disciplinary Actions for Disregard of Uniform Policies: Draft policies for disciplinary action are being developed by a separate working group from the uniform working group. Drafts are in progress but specific details are not currently available at present to members of the uniform working group.

Item 12. Establish a Uniform Advisory Committee (UAC): PPM 08-013 has now been released establishing the format and time frame for the Uniformed Advisory Committee of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The UAC will work to address new issues with uniform policy and regulations and will be convened every 2 years, or more frequently as needed by the Director of OCCFM or the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service.

Item 13. Authorization for Routine Wear of the BDU's: PPM 07-013 has established the authorization for BDU wear once per week. Note that while officers are authorized to wear the BDU they are not required to do so. Exceptions for wear are noted for high or senior level meetings, testimony on Capitol Hill or any other formal setting (e.g., Promotions, Award Ceremonies, Retirement Ceremonies or Change of Command Ceremonies) where a Service uniform or Service Dress Blue uniform would be appropriate. The PPM notes that the specific day of wear will be chosen by the SG to ensure uniformity. The SG has selected Fridays as the day BDU wear is authorized in the most recent Uniform of the Day memo (POM 08-009 or the most current available).

Item 14. Discontinue Use of the Service Blue Uniform (a.k.a. “Salt and Pepper”): PPM 07-015 has been published with the date for the elimination of the Service Blue Uniform as an authorized PHS uniform set as “no later than” 1 August 2009. The date of elimination was left to the determination of the Office of the Surgeon General and has been confirmed to be 1 August 2009 in PPM 08-020. In addition this Instruction includes several other uniforms, including the poly/cotton Khaki uniform and Winter Blue uniform (both service and working version), along with several uniform components such as the Black Garrison Cover with gold piping that will be discontinued effective 1 AUG 2009. Officers should carefully review this POM when planning future uniform purchases.

Item 15. Proposal for a New Badge to create a Category Specific Badge/Insignia: The ASH did not approve this proposal either so no further action is required at this time.

Progress continues to translate the recent changes approved by the former ASH into the uniform, personal appearance and grooming policy for all Commissioned Officers. It will take some time before all the policies can be implemented but every effort will be made to keep officers up to date on what is occurring during this process.

In the meantime officers are encouraged to keep a close eye on the CCMIS web site for the new PPM’s and POM's that reflect these ongoing changes.
 

Almost Everything You Need to Know About The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU),
But Were Afraid To Ask! - March 2008 Update

By CDR Bruce Tierney

As we continue to work through the recent changes to PHS Uniforms, both current and proposed, many officers who do not yet own the BDU wonder whether they should purchase the current version knowing that the uniform will likely change in the near future. Indeed, few uniforms have generated more questions or concerns for officers than the Battle Dress Uniform or “BDU”. The BDU was renamed from the Field Utility Uniform or FUU on July 20, 2005 by the newly updated CC26.3, Personnel Instruction 7 for Special Uniform Situations. It is now the primary alternative to the standard Working Khaki uniform for deployment and is perhaps the best alternative for use in the potentially adverse living and working conditions that often result from a deployment such as following a hurricane or other natural disaster.

One of the first questions asked is whether the BDU is now a “required” uniform. According to the Electronic Commissioned Corps Issuance System section pertaining to uniforms, the only uniform requirement for deployment is for each officer to possess two sets of the Working Khaki uniform. However, early indications are that the designated response teams from the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (OFRD) may have an expectation that officers have one or more sets of the BDU available for wear. Note for example that the OFRD website survey asks whether an officer currently possesses a BDU. But at this time, there has been no official indication of a requirement for all officers to own the BDU. It is my personal opinion that officers should seriously consider purchasing at least two sets of the BDU for wear on deployment.  Based on my own experience with Katrina hurricane deployment in 2005, it is clearly the superior uniform for wear in extreme conditions.

Components of the BDU

Utility Coat and Trousers: The BDU uniform consists of the Woodland Green BDU that, up until recently, had been worn by all services as a working uniform (except possibly the Coast Guard which typically uses the Operational Dress Uniform or ODU which is a solid “Coast Guard” blue in color). But more on that later! The BDU consists of a Utility Coat (often referred to as a blouse to distinguish it from the Field Jacket) and Trousers. It should be noted that military creases are not required on the Utility Coat or Trousers. There are two materials for the BDU, the temperate material and the hot weather material, which typically looks like rip stop nylon. Uniform materials should not be mixed between the Utility Coat and Trousers. Uniform components purchased from an authorized manufacturer should be labeled as such and as a result should meet all design requirements. Sources for purchase will be discussed later in the article. In addition to the Utility Coat and Trousers, the basic components of the uniform include the following:  

Belt and Buckle: The belt is of a black web material that is 1 ¼ inch wide with a black metal tip and an open-faced black buckle. This buckle is completely different from the buckle worn with service uniforms like the service dress blue and must be purchased separately. A black web belt with a Velcro closure or a 1 ¾ inch black web belt with a flat black buckle are acceptable alternatives, but they may be more difficult to find.   

Combat Boots: Boots are the only type of footgear authorized with the BDU uniform. However there are several different styles of boots available. Boots should have uppers (including the part going up the ankle) that are approximately 10 inches high. The material can be all leather or a combination of leather and fabric. The fabric may be either green (what used to be known as the “jungle boot”) or black. The toe of the boot must be plain which makes the “jump boot” (once common in Army circles) inappropriate for wear with the PHS version of the BDU. Steel toes and zipper closures are acceptable options for the Combat Boot.

Socks: These should be at least as high as the boot top and should be either olive drab or black in color. No other color should be visible above the top of the boot although some socks are now made with a white foot and an olive drab/black ankle portion that would be an acceptable alternative.

Undershirt (the new black PHS “t-shirt”): One major change in the BDU with the new uniform instruction published in July 2005 is the new PHS specific undershirt to be worn with the BDU. The new undershirt is black in color with short sleeves and a crew neck. The previous plain brown undershirt was phased out by PPM 06-005 on 20 July 2007. I would encourage all officers to obtain the new black PHS specific undershirt as soon as possible for wear with your BDU. Officers who are part of the new OFRD response teams are likely to be expected to have the new black undershirt.

Originally the new undershirt was described as having a yellow 3 inch diameter PHS seal on the upper left breast of the front of the shirt but the recent update PPM 06-005 has indicated that both 3 inch and 4 inch diameter seals on the front of the undershirt are now acceptable to allow for use of undershirts that have been produced with a 4 inch seal. As a result either size seal is now authorized and acceptable for wear. The words U.S. Public Health Service are printed in three lines with 2 inch Arial font (first line: U.S. / second line: Public Health / third line: Service) on the back of the shirt, in the same yellow color as the yellow quarantine flag. A similar shirt with an olive drab seal and lettering on black is authorized for tactical situations or when directed by the appropriate authority but this version is currently not readily available to my knowledge at this time nor is it likely to be needed for most PHS deployments.

Undergarments: Standard undergarments for male and female officers are not specifically spelled out in the updated instruction but should be similar to those worn with other uniforms. Undergarments in brown or olive drab color are available and would be appropriate with the BDU but are not required.

Headgear: Standard required headgear for the BDU is the utility cap. The description of this cap with six sides in the initial uniform instruction was incorrect but has been updated in PPM 06-005 to correctly describe the Navy-style eight-sided cover with a firm bill, plated sides and a high front panel. Note that the utility cap comes only in the hot weather style (rip stop nylon appearance) and can be worn with a uniform of different material. Be sure not to purchase the similar cap that has the preprinted Marine emblem on the front panel. The Army style rounded utility cap is completely different and is not authorized for wear with the PHS BDU. Insignia for the utility cap has also changed from prior instructions. It used to be the miniature rank insignia or a subdued version of the miniature PHS cap device. Now the large bright metal rank insignia is authorized for wear unless the Local Uniform Authority (LUA) specifies use of the subdued large metal or cloth rank insignia. Use of subdued rank insignia on headgear would be unusual for most deployments. It should be worn centered, horizontally and vertically, on the front panel of the cap. For O-6 officers, the eagle faces to the wearer’s right. Every officer should possess at least one utility cap to carry on deployments.

A new cover, described in the updated Uniform Instruction 7, that is an alternative for the BDU is the Command Ball Cap. This cover can also be worn with the Working Khaki uniform. While it is not required for either uniform, it appears to be a common alternative for both uniforms, and I would encourage officers to purchase at least one. This cap is a conventional black ball cap style with “U.S. Public Health Service” embroidered in ½ inch upper case Arial font that is golden yellow in color in an arch across the front panel. The bill is plain for grades O-1 through O-4 and has “scrambled eggs” on the bill for grades O-5 and O-6 similar to the combination cover (as is the case with the combination cover, flag officers have their own unique ”scrambled eggs” on the bill). The insignia is again the large bright metal rank insignia centered vertically between the bill of the cap and the “U.S. Public Health Service” lettering and should be positioned horizontally above the wearer’s nose. As always for O-6 officers, the eagle faces to the wearer’s right. One draw back, in my opinion, is that the design of the cap makes it very difficult for some officers to wear the cap comfortably with the insignia in place because those officers whose insignia pins are worn in a vertical configuration tend to have the lower pin backing strike them in the forehead. One possible alternative would be to wear the insignia without the lower pin backing and to simply bend the lower pin upwards. But it may take a redesign of this cap with a more upright front panel design similar to the Navy and Coast Guard versions of the ball cap to make it more comfortable and ultimately safer to wear.

When deployed it is advisable to carry both covers if you have them as the LUA can authorize wear of the ball cap with the BDU (Remember that the ball cap is also an authorized alternative for the working khaki uniform). However, all members of the team under the local command must have the same cover. That is, if one member does not have the appropriate ball cap, but has the required utility cap, the utility cap must be the designated cover for all members of the team. Only when all members have the correct command ball cap for their rank can the LUA change the authorized cover.

Additional headgear include the cold weather cap, the jungle or sun hat, and the Army-style combat helmet worn with the woodland green camouflage cover. Insignia placement for these covers is described further in Instruction 7.

Field Jacket with Liner: The Field Jacket looks similar to the Utility Coat and is of the same woodland camouflage material, except that it has shoulder straps. The black windbreaker and raincoat as well as standard civilian jackets and coats are not authorized to be worn with the BDU, so to ensure you have adequate protection in cold weather, one should consider purchasing the Field Jacket. The Jacket also has an optional removable green liner available that attaches to the inside of the Jacket with buttons. As an option, the Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) camouflage parka and trousers are authorized for wear with the BDU. Details of the ECWCS can be found in Instruction 7.

Sweater: The sweater authorized for wear with the BDU uniform is not the same as the black sweater worn with the Working Khaki uniform and other general uniforms. Instead the Marine Corps olive green sweater (“wooly pully”) made of 100 percent wool or acrylic, in a heavy ribbed knit crew-neck design with shoulder and elbow patches, is an optional item. Note that it is worn only under the utility coat, never as an outer garment.

Rain Poncho or Suit: A Rain Poncho or Suit can be worn as an optional item in either woodland camouflage or solid olive drab green. If a poncho is worn, it is of the pullover style. Most military clothing stores sell a woodland camouflage rain jacket that would be appropriate to wear. Appropriate wear of insignia is not described in Instruction 7 but usually a tab on the jacket is available on which to pin the large bright metal rank.

Gloves: Light duty work gloves should consist of black leather shells and fabric inserts of olive drab or black material. On a personal note, I have never found these gloves to be of particularly good function, and have worn conventional black gloves with no brand markings with good results. Some companies will make plain black or woodland camouflage gloves specifically for that purpose. But they are not specifically authorized by Instruction 7.

Grooming/Jewelry: Grooming and jewelry standards for all PHS uniforms also apply to the BDU uniform. However, the LUA may require removal of jewelry under field conditions or when the mission dictates. Officers should strongly consider the purchase of a set of ID or “dog” tags to wear as part of the BDU uniform.

Insignia and Identification Patches

Even more so than the basic uniform components, few things cause more confusion for officers than appropriate wear and placement of insignia and patches on the BDU. Cap insignia has been described above and includes the only “pin on” insignia authorized with the basic BDU uniform. All other patches should be embroidered cloth that is sewn on. Note that embroidering directly onto the uniform is not authorized. They should be sewn-on with thread that matches the background material or edge. A straight machine stitch should be used in sewing; cross-stitches, whip-stitches, or other stitches are not authorized.

Utility Coat collar: Insignia on the collar is similar to what is worn on the Working Khaki uniform. On the left collar the subdued cloth PHS corps device insignia on an olive drab background is worn in a similar fashion to the Working Khaki with the point of the caduceus towards the tip of the collar and falling along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point with the anchor pointing inward. The center of the device should be 1½ inches perpendicular from each collar edge. The patch itself should be 1 inch square. On the right collar, the subdued cloth rank device is worn. For O-1 thru O-3, the bar(s) should be pointing toward the collar point, for O-4/O-5, the stem of the oak leaf should be pointing towards the collar point and for O-6, the head and feet of the eagle should both be on the imaginary line that bisects the collar point with the eagle facing forward. The center of the device should be 1½ inches perpendicular from each collar edge and the amount of extra cloth around each side of the rank device should be roughly symmetrical.

Utility Coat front: An olive green cloth tape with the upper case letters “USPHS” embroidered on it (Closely spaced with no periods between the letters!) should be worn over the left pocket. A cloth tape with the officer’s name is worn over the right pocket. The tapes should be one inch wide and 4 ½ inches long (same width as the pocket) and worn parallel to and touching the top edge of the pocket. The letters should be in black, block-style and ¾ inch high. (Name tapes containing more than ten letters should be in Franklin Gothic Extra Condensed print, 48 point, ½-inch high). Different manufacturers may tend to use cloth tapes of slightly different appearance, so it is highly recommended that you purchase a name tape and a USPHS tape at the same time from the same location for each set of a BDU so that they match in appearance. However, there is no specific guidance on what type of cloth tape is used other than it be olive green and of the dimensions noted above. A note of caution: Cloth tapes from Navy sources tend to be wider than 1 inch. The description above is more consistent with tapes from an Army source.

In addition to the name tapes, officers are authorized to wear special skill badges, such as the Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB), on the utility coat. Badges are limited to a maximum of two and Instruction 7 indicates the badges must be for a medically-related skill or earned while a PHS officer. Unfortunately, this seems to be possibly contradictory to Manual Circular PHS # 372 from April 21, 2003 that authorized the wear of all earned special skill badges on the PHS uniform. Until such time as this possible contradiction is resolved, it may be safest to wear only medical skill badges on the BDU at this time. The FMRB is now available in a subdued cloth patch for wear on the BDU. The skills badge is worn centered on and 1/4-inch above the "USPHS" tape. If two badges are worn, the second badge is worn centered on and 1/4-inch above the lower badge.

Utility Coat left shoulder: Effective with the Hurricane Katrina response, the subdued USPHS unit patch began to be available on a regular basis and should now be accessible for all officers. Although there has not been a formal instruction indicating that this specific unit patch is now a required part of the BDU it is covered in Instruction 7 under a special unit patch paragraph and every officer should have one sewn on each BDU they own. The subdued PHS unit patch should be worn on both the utility coat and field jacket centered horizontally on the wearer’s left sleeve, ½-inch below the shoulder seam (see http://dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/CCMISUniform.htm). The date “1798” should be oriented such that it is at the bottom, similar to the way the seal is oriented on a standard PHS nametag.

Utility Coat right shoulder: At the same time as the unit patch was authorized for the BDU, the reverse American flag patch was authorized for wear on the right shoulder. However, the flag patch was authorized for wear only for Katrina-related activities. At this time it remains authorized only for Katrina-related activities. It is also authorized for wear when assigned to DoD operational units according to the recently released POM 06-003 dated 27 September 2006. Until a decision is made on wear of the flag patch at other times it may be best not to permanently attach the flag patch to the BDU. One alternative is to attach the flag patch with a Velcro backing so that it may be removed or attached as needed until such time as a final determination is made. Otherwise, no patch is typically worn on the right shoulder of the BDU.

Trousers: No specific patches are currently authorized for the BDU trousers. While other services sometimes have a cloth name tape, identical to the one worn on the Utility Coat, sewn over the right rear pocket flap, such action is not currently authorized in Instruction 7 for the BDU trousers that are worn by USPHS Commissioned Corps officers. In lieu of a name tape officers may wish to consider marking their trousers with their name in indelible ink on the inner waist band of the trousers to better identify personal uniform components while in the field where group laundry facilities may be employed. Until such time as its wear is clearly authorized in a future uniform update you should not put a cloth name tape on the BDU trousers. If your BDU trousers currently have such a cloth name tape affixed to them the cloth name tape should be removed.

Field Jacket Insignia: The cloth "USPHS" and name tapes are worn over the front pocket flaps, in the same manner as described for the utility coat. No collar insignia are worn on the Field Jacket, but subdued, embroidered sew-on type rank insignia are worn centered on each shoulder strap, with the bottom edge of the insignia 3/4-inch from the outer end of the shoulder strap, in much the same fashion as the pin on insignia are worn on the black windbreaker and raincoat. In addition, the PHS unit patch is worn on the left sleeve and special skills badges are worn in the same manner as described for the utility coat.

Wear of the BDU

The BDU is intended to be a working uniform and as such should be loose fitting and comfortable. Alterations to make it form-fitting are not authorized. The utility coat should be worn outside the trousers, not tucked in, and all buttons should be buttoned except for the collar button. The collar is worn open. The PHS undershirt is always worn tucked in. The trousers are worn bloused at the boots. The trouser legs will not be wrapped around the leg so tightly as to present a pegged appearance. Blousing accessories may be found at military clothing sales stores to assist in giving the pant leg a bloused appearance if you choose not to tuck the pant leg into the boot. When working in extreme heat, the LUA may authorize removal of the utility coat and unblousing the trousers from the boots. This should only be done when authorized. The cover is still worn when the utility coat is removed in outdoor settings unless the LUA indicates it is appropriate to remove it.

Loose threads must be trimmed from all uniform components. Shoe laces must be secured in a manner such that no loops are created and the ends of the laces must be tucked into the boots. Boots should be shined to the extent that is possible to do so depending on the working environment. The sleeves may be rolled up only when allowed by the LUA. The manner in which the sleeves are rolled up has changed recently and is now back to the Navy style such that the underside of the sleeve is exposed when the sleeve is rolled. The sleeves will be rolled neatly above the elbow, but the bottom should be no more than 3 inches above the elbow.

Acquisition of BDU Components

PHS BDU components can come from a variety of sources. Although PHS uniforms are moving to be closer to the Navy uniform in many ways there are still components unique to our own service. Most military facilities are rapidly moving to a new version of the utility uniform and the BDU worn by PHS is getting more difficult to find as a result. Navy clothing stores may still carry the BDU that we wear but that will also is expected to be changing soon with the introduction of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU). But they also may not typically have items that are PHS specific. One exception has been NAS Atlanta, but it is not clear how much longer that facility will be available to Atlanta area officers. BDU components - including new items like the PHS Undershirt and Command Ball Cap - can still be found at the Navy uniform site for the time being. However, they are not always familiar with specific PHS uniform requirements, so it is important to work closely with them to ensure you get what you are looking for. Often you will have more success calling the toll free uniform number to ensure you find what you are looking for: 1-800-368-4088.

The Officer Device Supply Center is also a source for BDU components and unique PHS items. They carry the black T-shirt and the Command Ball cap as well as collar insignia. You can reach them by phone at 1-225-756-3793 or on their website. 

Future of the PHS BDU

As I have alluded to previously, after more than 20 years where each of our sister services used the Woodland Camouflage BDU, each of them has recently deployed or proposed to put into service a new field utility uniform that differs greatly from the current PHS BDU. It is also now clear as a result of the policy decisions made by the ASH in August 2007 that the current PHS BDU is going to change to a PHS version of the new NWU at some point in the future. The exact composition of that uniform and when officers will be authorized to wear it is still unclear at this time and will be dependent to some degree on action by the Navy.

As to whether officers should purchase the current BDU in the interim that decision must be left up to the individual officer unless the BDU is designated a uniform every officers is required to own. At the present time officers are not required to own the BDU to the best of my knowledge but may be required to possess it to participate in specific deployments.

Even though the BDU will be changing in the near future if you do need to purchase one for a specific deployment prior to availability of the new uniform it is likely that there will be a transition period for the current BDU. This will make it authorized for wear for at least some period of time that as yet has not been determined but could last into 2010 or even beyond. And since officers are now authorized to wear the BDU every Friday you will have ample opportunity to make use of your investment. So to ensure that you are prepared for deployment, I encourage every officer to start now to put your BDU together, so that you can ensure it is correct and ready to go when you are called to go to the field to do what we do best as PHS officers, helping others in need at a time of crisis.

Far Left: Current PHS Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), front view.  Left Center: Current PHS Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), side view.  Right Center: BDU with the current sleeve roll style shown in profile.

Far Right Upper: Close up of sleeve roll with underside of material exposed. Far Right Lower: BDU Field Jacket with PHS Patch and cloth embroidered rank on epaulet similar in location to metal rank used on Black Windbreaker. Note that collar insignia is not worn on the field jacket but name and USPHS tape are worn over pockets similar to the blouse.

Left: Close up of PHS Patch shown centered horizontally on the wearer’s left sleeve, ½-inch below the shoulder seam with correct orientation, date at bottom.
Right: Close up of front of BDU Utility Coat with name and USPHS tape over pockets, collar insignia with rank on right, PHS insignia on left and skill badges, if any, over USPHS tape above left pocket.
 

Recently approved Navy Working Uniform (NWU) [Pictured above] - Uniform expected to be similar to above pictures. Not yet deployed by the Navy but expected in the near future. Primary uniform predominantly blue and gray for shipboard use.  Left and Center: Officer version of proposed uniform with yellow lettering on name tapes (cover will be 8 sided cover similar in shape to current PHS cover). Right: Proposed rain and cold weather jacket in similar pattern to basic NWU. Digital woodland and desert versions have been proposed for use by special ops forces or other units requiring a tactical uniform. PHS may adopt a version of the NWU as the new PHS working uniform once it is deployed by the Navy.

 

     
 

Army Combat Uniform (ACU), [pictured above] - All purpose uniform for both woodland and desert terrain.

 

       

Initially proposed AF BDU [pictured above on left] had a predominately blue color. Recently the AF approved the new uniform similar to the two pictures seen above on the right which is now known as the “Airman Battle Uniform” (ABU).

 

Marine Corps Woodland BDU or “Combat Utility Uniform” [pictured above] – First service to introduce a digital camouflage pattern which is known as MARPAT (Marine Pattern). A desert version is also in use.

CDR Tierney serves as the ACOA Immediate Past President and, working closely with the CDC LUA CAPT Daniel Cline and his Commissioned Corps Personnel Team, has made several presentations and written articles to help update officers on uniform changes over the past few years. He also served on the Uniforms, Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards Working Integrated Project Team representing the CDC Commissioned Corps PAC and as the alternate representative for CDC to the Surgeon General's Uniform Transition Working Group.