USPHS Uniform Information and Updates

	Dinner Dress Blue Uniforms PHS ODU Wear of the PHS Uniform

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

It's New, It's Blue, It's the PHS ODU.  Almost everything you need to know about the new Operational Dress Uniform (ODU), but were afraid to ask! - January 2, 2013 Update

By CAPT Bruce Tierney

To see a detailed description of the new ODU by CAPT Tierney click here: ODU PDF.

Wear of the PHS Uniform - 21 December 2012 Update

By CAPT Bruce Tierney

For a PDF of slides from a presentation given by CAPT Bruce Tierney in December 2012 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. 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 currently plans to adopt a version of the ODU as the new PHS working uniform. Details of this new PHS Working Uniform are expected to be released in the very near future. The PHS is expected to use a new blue T-shirt and blue ball cap with this uniform and also use the blue 8 point cover seen in the above picture (similar in shape to the current BDU 8 point cover)

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.

 
 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]

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