USPHS Uniform Information and Updates

	Uniform Changes Battle Dress Uniform Dinner Dress Blue Uniforms

Wear of the PHS Uniform - 11 July 2011 Update

By CAPT Bruce Tierney

For a PDF of slides from a presentation first given by CAPT Bruce Tierney in July 2011 click here: Updated Uniform PDF

Almost Everything You Need to Know About The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), But Were Afraid To Ask! - July 2011 Update

By CAPT Bruce Tierney

As we continue to work through the ongoing changes to PHS Commissioned Corps Uniforms, both current and proposed, many officers who do not yet own the Battle Dress Uniform 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 currently used by Commissioned Officers was renamed from the Field Utility Uniform or FUU in an update of the Special Uniform Situations Instruction on 20 July 2005. This Instruction, CC 26.3.7, was updated on 24 September 2008 and once again on 11 March 2010. The BDU is now the primary Working uniform for deployment and is the best uniform option for use in the potentially adverse living and working conditions that often result from a deployment following a hurricane or other natural disaster.

One of the first questions asked is whether the BDU is now a “required” uniform. Effective with updated uniform instructions, CC26.3.4 and CC26.3.5, the BDU has become a uniform officers are required to maintain starting in 01 January 2009 as noted in section 6. In addition the Working Khaki, the former alternative Corps working uniform, has been phased out of the uniform inventory effective 01 August 2009 as was originally noted in PPM 08-020 (PPM link no longer available. PPM 08-020 has been incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ). 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 recent hurricane deployments it is clearly the superior uniform for wear in extreme conditions.

Commissioned Corps leadership continues to evaluate options for a replacement uniform for the BDU. There is some indication that a final decision regarding this replacement will occur in the near future, perhaps even in the next few months. But even if a decision is made soon there will most likely be a transition period of at least one year and the current BDU will remain the primary working uniform for potential deployments during the current hurricane season.

Components of the BDU

Utility Coat and Trousers: The BDU uniform consists of the Woodland Green BDU that, up until a few years ago, had been worn by all services as a working uniform (except 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 (sometimes 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, known as a “rigger’s belt” 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 black or green (what used to be known as the “jungle boot”). In the newest update of the Special Situations Uniform Instruction a brown “brushless” boot was also authorized. The toe of the boot may be plain or capped (commonly known as a “jump boot”). 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 was 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. All officers should now be using the new black PHS specific undershirt for wear with your BDU.

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 update found in PPM 06-005 indicates that both 3 inch and 4 inch diameter seals on the front of the undershirt are now acceptable for wear. This allows for use of shirts 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 in the Instructions for tactical situations or when directed by the appropriate authority but this version is currently not readily available and is not 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 cover design is 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 which may still be found in military surplus stores is completely different and is not authorized for wear with the PHS BDU. Insignia for the utility cap has also changed from prior instructions. In the past the miniature rank insignia or a subdued version of the miniature PHS cap device was worn. 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. Note that routine use of the sewn on subdued cloth insignia is not authorized. The need for use of subdued rank insignia on headgear would be unusual for most Corps 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.

An additional cover that is described in the updated Uniform Instruction 7 is the Command Ball Cap which serves as an alternative for wear with the BDU. While it is not required for wear with the BDU it appears to be a common alternative with the BDU 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 half or partial fretting known as “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 known as full fretting). 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 deployment commander or designated Local Uniform Authority (LUA) can authorize wear of the ball cap with the BDU if they choose to do so. Ideally all members of the team under the local command in a deployment must have the same cover to maintain a uniform appearance. That is, if one member does not have the appropriate ball cap, but has the required utility cap, the utility cap would be the designated cover for all members of the team. Only when all members have the correct command ball cap for their rank would the LUA be able to 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 the Special Uniform Situations Instruction 7.

Sweater: The sweater authorized for wear with the BDU uniform is not the same as the black sweater worn with the Service khaki uniform and other general uniforms. Instead the Marine Corps olive green sweater (“wooly pully”) made of 100% 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. The sweater may have shoulder tabs but wear of the soft board rank insignia is not authorized on this sweater.  In addition an olive drab green wool scarf is authorized for wear with BDU outerwear.

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 in the same pattern as the BDU that would be appropriate to wear. Appropriate wear of insignia includes either a slip-on cloth loop insignia or the subdued miniature metal rank as described in the Special Uniform Instruction.

Gloves: Light duty work gloves should consist of black leather shells with optional fabric inserts of olive drab or black material. On a personal note, I have never found the gloves with inserts 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 gloves specifically for that purpose.

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 may also wish to consider the purchase of a set of ID or “dog” tags to wear as part of the BDU uniform although they are not specifically described in the Instruction.

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 Service 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 (Note: The cloth name tapes from Navy sources tend to be 1.25 inches wide, not 1 inch. The description above is more consistent with tapes from an Army source. However since the Army changed to their new combat uniform the olive green material is no longer readily available. At a minimum you should not mix different size tapes on the same uniform). 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 always 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.

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 the skills badge is worn centered on and ¼ inch above the "USPHS" tape. If two badges are worn, the second badge is worn centered on and ¼ inch above the lower badge. Only subdued cloth badges are authorized. Subdued metal badges such as those worn by other Services are not authorized. 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. Also note that if the FMRB and a skill badge from another service are worn together then the FMRB should always be worn above the second 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. The patch has now been formally defined as a required part of the BDU in the newest update of Instruction 7, 6-4.b (4)  in the special unit identification 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. 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 and should not be worn routinely on the BDU.  One exception is that the flag patch is authorized for wear when assigned to DoD operational units according to POM 06-003 dated 27 September 2006. Otherwise, no patch is typically worn on the right shoulder of the BDU.

Trousers: No specific patches are currently required 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 was not authorized in the past. But in the most recent update of Instruction 7 for the BDU trousers officers are now authorized to wear, as an option, the officer's last name embroidered on an olive green name tape worn touching and parallel to the top edge of the right rear pocket. The name tape should extend to the pocket edge but not beyond. 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.

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 metal 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 generally similar to Navy uniform components in many ways there are still components unique to our own service. Also of note is the fact that other uniformed services are rapidly moving to a new version of their utility uniform, to include the Navy, 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 is expected to be less common with the recent introduction of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type I. For Atlanta area officers’ one option for uniform components had been NAS Atlanta but that facility is now closed. The uniform clothing store has now moved across Dobbins Air Reserve Base to the main base exchange has only a very limited number of PHS components or even Navy uniform components. BDU components, including new items like the PHS Undershirt and Command Ball Cap, can still be found at the Navy Nex Uniform site for the time being although the main BDU uniform components are no longer available in the online catalog. For now they can still be found by calling Navy Nex directly. However, Navy Nex personnel are not always as 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 if you call the toll free uniform number, 800.368.4088, and identify yourself as a PHS Officer to ensure you find what you are looking for.

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 the PHS collar insignia. You can reach them by phone at 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 a new field utility uniform that differs greatly from the current PHS BDU. It was originally expected that the PHS would adopt a version of the NWU as the new PHS field utility uniform as a result of the policy decisions made by the ASH in August 2007. However that plan is now being re-examined by the ASH and Office of the Surgeon General to determine whether the NWU or another uniform option best meets the needs of the Commissioned Corps. There is still an expectation that the current PHS BDU will be replaced at some point in the future but it is currently expected that it will remain the primary PHS working uniform for the upcoming hurricane season at a minimum.

Even though the BDU may be changing in the near future it is now a required uniform to maintain and will likely be required for future deployments. Should it be phased out in the future it is also expected 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 yet to be determined but would likely last into 2012 or even beyond. And since officers are now once again authorized to wear the BDU once a week effective with the 2011 Spring/Summer Uniform of the Day memorandum 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.

CAPT Tierney is a Past President of ACOA and has drawn on his past service in the U.S. Army to develop a number of presentations and articles to help update officers on uniform changes over the past six years. He is currently a member of the CDC/ATSDR Commissioned Corps Policy Advisory Committee (CCPAC) and served on the Uniforms, Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards Working Integrated Project Team representing the CDC/ATSDR CCPAC.

 

USPHS Commissioned Corps

Far Left: Current PHS Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), front view. 

Left Center: Current PHS Battle Dress Uniform, 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.

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

U.S. Navy

Left and Center: Recently approved Navy Working Uniform (NWU), Type I – The primary working uniform for the Navy is predominantly blue and gray in color for shipboard use. 

Right: Proposed NWU Type III is a digital woodland camouflage uniform for tactical requirements. A desert version, the NWU Type II, is also being developed but is currently restricted to Special Operations forces.

Note: The PHS may adopt one of the versions of the NWU as the new PHS working uniform.

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard

Left: New “untucked” version of the Operational Dress Uniform or “ODU” used by the Coast Guard. Typically worn with a ball cap cover.

 

Right: A proposal for an eight point cover similar in shape to the current PHS BDU cover is currently being considered by the Coast Guard for wear with the ODU.

 

Note: The PHS may adopt a version of the ODU as the new PHS working uniform.

 

 

U.S. Army

Top Row: Army Combat Uniform (ACU) – Intended as an all purpose uniform for both woodland and desert terrain. This uniform pattern may be replaced in the near future.

Bottom Row: The Army recently adopted a second battle uniform pattern for use in Afghanistan only known as Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or OCP (Commonly known as “Multicam”). It is also one possible option of a future replacement for the ACU.

 

 

U.S. Air Force

The Air Force has recently adopted a new grey-green camouflage uniform (to include grey-green suede boots) as shown above which is now known as the “Airman Battle Uniform” or ABU.

 

U.S. Marine Corps

 

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 camouflage version is also in use.

 

 

CAPT Tierney is a Past President of ACOA and has made a number of presentations and written articles to help update officers on uniform changes over the past several years. He is a member of the CDC/ATSDR Commissioned Corps PAC and served on the Uniforms, Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards Working Integrated Project Team representing the CDC/ATSDR Commissioned Corps PAC. [Top]

Instructions to convert the Service Dress Blue (SDB) uniform to the Dinner Dress Blue (DDB) uniform for wear at formal events such as the Annual Atlanta Area Anchor and Caduceus Dinner - 05 January 2012 Update

By CAPT Bruce Tierney

For a PDF of slides to provide guidance on converting the SDB to the DDB for both male and female officers by CAPT Bruce Tierney click here: SDB to DDB Slides PDF

Commissioned Corps Uniform Changes - March 2009 Update

By CAPT Bruce Tierney

In a July 5th, 2007 memorandum and an August 28th, 2007 memorandum, the 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.

Uniform, Personal Appearance, and Grooming Policy Update As of 11 March 2008
Item	Proposed Policy	Action Taken to Date
1	Daily Uniform Wear	New Commissioned Corps Instruction for daily uniform wear has been released: CC26.3.2 Effective date: 01 JUL 2008
2	Adopt Navy Working Uniform (NWU)	Policy development dependent on action by Navy (Could change depending on Navy). Expected effective date: TBD - Message from Acting Surgeon General in March 2009 indicated that transition to NWU is being re-examined and that current BDU is expected to remain in the uniform inventory for the present time.
3	Alignment of PHS Uniform with Navy Uniform Regulations	Effective date to start wear of Navy sweater: 01 JAN 2008 Effective date to end wear of Army pullover sweater and cardigan: 01 JAN 2009 (POM 08-001) Instructions for format of the leather name tag on the Navy sweater may be found here: Commissioned Corps E-Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 13 See also additional PHS uniform items to be discontinued effective 01 AUG 2009 in PPM 08-020 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) Three updated uniform instructions have been released that move PHS uniforms closer to Navy uniform regulations:   Male uniforms: CC26.3.4   Female uniforms: CC26.3.5   Special Uniform Instructions: CC26.3.7 Effective Date: 24 SEP 2008 Note: CC26.3.4/5 added the BDU to list of required uniforms to maintain. Effective Date: 01 JAN 2009
4	Uniform Allowance	Authority given to take action to change uniform allowance. Expected effective date: TBD
5	Wear of Medals and Ribbons	Updated Commissioned Corps Instruction for Wear of Ribbons and Medals has been released: CC26.3.3 Effective date: 28 AUG 2008 Included in this updated Instruction is the change in authorization for wear of Association ribbons and medals. Effective date: 28 AUG 2008
6	Wear of Skill, Qualification, or ID Badges	New policy in place for wear of skill and breast badge: PPM 08-019 Effective date: 28 AUG 2008
7	Develop PHS Aviation Medicine Flight Wings	Proposal not approved. No further action required.
8	Field Medical Readiness Badge Transition from Pewter to Gold	New policy in place to transition from pewter FMRB to gold: PPM 08-004 Effective date to wear the gold FMRB: 01 JAN 2008 Effective date to end wearing the pewter FMRB: 31 DEC 2008
9	Align Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards with Navy	New policy in place to discontinue authorization for wear of beard: PPM 07-012 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) Effective Date: 01 JAN 2008 Additional policies and update of current uniform instructions currently being developed. Expected effective date: TBD
10	Local Uniform Authority	New policy in place to designate the Surgeon General as National Uniform Authority (NUA): PPM 08-012 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) Effective date: 01 APR 2008 Draft policy in development to provide for further operationalization of uniform authority for special circumstances.
11	Disciplinary Action for Disregard of Uniform Policies	Draft policy in development by separate working group. Expected effective date: TBD
12	Uniform Advisory Committee	New policy in place: PPM 08-013 Effective date: 07 MAR 2008
13	Routine Wear of the BDU	New policy in place: PPM 07-013 Effective Date: 01 OCT 2007 Day of wear determined to be each Friday as determined by the most current Uniform of the Day memorandum: POM 08-009 (or the most current Uniform of the Day memorandum).
14	Discontinue Service Blue Uniform (Salt & Pepper)	New policy in place: PPM 07-015 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) Effective Date: 01 AUG 2009 Also see additional uniform items to be discontinued effective 01 AUG 2009 in PPM 08-020 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 )
15	Develop Category Specific Badge or Insignia	Proposal not approved. No further action required.

Item 1. Daily Uniform Wear: The order for required daily wear of the Commissioned Corps 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 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 following the recent adoption of the NWU by the Navy. In addition originally the Corps was planning to adopt a PHS version of the NWU as the new Corps working uniform but that plan is now being re-examined by the Acting ASH to determine whether the NWU meets the needs of the Corps and re-evaluating all available alternatives to satisfy Corps requirements. Until a new determination is made on a working uniform the current BDU will remain as the primary working uniform. This is expected to be the case for about two years at a minimum. It is also noted that in making the original decision to adopt the NWU, it was understood that Navy needs could dictate changes in the uniform or its distribution that would alter the PHS approach.  Of note the new NWU includes the ACE (Anchor/Constitution/Eagle) symbol and USN embedded in the print of the uniform material in addition to the ACE embroidered on the left breast pocket. What, if any, impact this might have on adoption of the NWU by the Corps is not yet known.

However, even if the Corps does not adopt a version of the NWU, plans to begin the phase-out of the Corps' Working Khaki, Working Winter Blue, and tropical working uniforms to match the expected changes to Navy uniform regulations are still going forward. Some of these uniform changes have already been announced in PPM 08-020.

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 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ). 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. Originally PPM 07-014 provided for the wear of the Navy pullover sweater beginning 01 January 2008 and also provided instructions on the appropriate format for the required leather name tag. But this PPM was no longer accessible when the information it contained was included in the update of Male and Female uniform instructions. Nametag format information was not included in those instructions and so information on format of the leather nametag may now be found here: Commissioned Corps E-Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 13. 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. Up until 01 January 2009 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 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ). In addition there are several new items that officers should be aware of in these updated instructions including 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 these three updates is the Corps 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, and Officer in Charge Badge) and two skill or qualification badges (e.g. PHS Field Medical Readiness Badge, Navy Flight Surgeon Badge, and 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 is also now 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 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 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) 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 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) 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 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ) has been published with the date for the elimination of the Service Blue Uniform as an authorized Corps 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 (PPM link no longer available. Incorporated into CC 26.3.1 ). In addition this Instruction includes several other uniforms, including the poly/cotton Working 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 PPM 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 updated Instructions and new PPM’s and POM's that reflect these ongoing changes.

[Top]