Fellow officers,
Below are updates regarding the Symposium, uniform wear (general and for the Symposium), HPSP,
I look forward to seeing those who will attend the Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF) Annual Scientific and Training Symposium this week in Minneapolis, MN. IHS will have a prominent presence during the Symposium, at the Anchor and Caduceus Dinner, as an exhibitor (Booth 205) and a Gold Sponsor. Don’t forget to join us at the 3rd Annual IHS Meeting tomorrow, Monday, May 6th from 2-4 PM Central Time in Room 200DE, where there will be Commissioned Corps and IHS updates, and the opportunity for Q&A with Flag Officers and Division of Commissioned Personnel Support (DCPS) staff.
Uniform Wear Reminders (General and for the Symposium)
PHS Commissioned Corps officers are required to wear the uniform daily while on duty, per applicable Commissioned Corps instructions. Officers who fail to wear the uniform per policy are subject to progressive discipline, up to and including involuntary termination/retirement.
Below are some reminders regarding accessories.
- Officers carrying bags (including conference bags, briefcases, gym bags, backpacks, laptop bags, lunch bags, suitcases, and garment bags, etc.) while in uniform must keep in mind the following:
- “All bags must be black, brown (optional when wearing a khaki uniform) or navy blue, except for the olive drab GI Duffel Bag. No ornamentation on the bags is allowed except an official Corps logo in yellow or the bag manufacturer’s logo, (provided the bag manufacturer’s logo is small and does not detract from the uniform).” This excerpt does not include women’s handbags, see CCI421.02, “Uniforms for Female Officers,” page 34, for handbag description (https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CC421_02.pdf).
- “Commercial and OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organizations to which officers are assigned logos are not authorized except that a bag issued by the Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, Society of American Military Engineers or the Reserve Officers Association may be carried only to their annual meetings, but not on a routine daily basis.”
- “All bags used while in dress uniform must be hand carried. Women’s handbags shall be carried over the left shoulder or forearm, placing the top of the handbag at waist level with all uniforms (see CCI 421.02, “Uniforms for Female Officers,” for handbag description).” (https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CC421_02.pdf)
- Lanyards – “Lanyards and/or identification card/badge holders (lanyards) shall be conservative and inconspicuous in nature. Lanyards may not display commercial logo (e.g., Pharmaceutical brand name or logo, logo of a government contractor etc.) which may give the appearance of endorsement of a product or service, by the federal government. Lanyards may be constructed in a manner to allow for an easy “break-away” clasp or tab.”
- The other things…
- Things in your pockets “No articles shall protrude from or be visible through the uniform, including such items as electronic pagers, cellular phones, or personal digital assistants (communication devices)” And “Other items such as but not limited to, pencils, pens, watch chains, key chain fobs, pins, jewelry, combs, large wallets, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, or similar items. (Note: Jewelry, tie clasps, cuff links, shirt studs, and earrings shall be worn as prescribed).”
- Communication Devices
- “When a communication device is worn, it shall be worn neatly, conservative in color and design and shall not distract from the appearance of the uniform. When wearing a service or working uniform, that item must be worn on either side of the hip behind the elbow so as not to be visible from the front.”
- “When wearing a dress uniform, the devices should not be visible (i.e., front, side or rear, bulging, or protruding).”
iii. “Unless an officer is in a response or emergency preparedness billet, officers are restricted to the wear of only one electronic device. If multiple communication devices are authorized by the NUA, no more than two electronic devices shall be worn. Officers shall not talk, text or otherwise use their communication device while walking, except in performance of official duties, and in a safe manner (i.e., not crossing the street, operating a motor vehicle or machinery etc.)”
- “The use of an earpiece, Bluetooth technology, headsets or others hands-free devices while in uniform, indoors or outdoors is prohibited unless specifically authorized for the execution of official duties.”
References
- CCI 421.01, Uniforms for Male Officers: https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CC421_01.pdf
- CCI 421.02, Uniforms for Female Officers: https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CC421_02.pdf
- CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance: https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CC412.01.pdf
- CCD 111.03 Conditions of Service: https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCD111_03.pdf
Health Professions Special Pay
We have received over 365 HPSP agreements to date. As of this evening, all have been reviewed and forwarded to CCHQ for processing. CCHQ has over 1,000 agreements in the queue and are doing their best to process them as efficiently as possible. Please assist them by refraining from contacting them to ask for the status of your agreements or other questions that can be answered by your Regional DCPS Liaison Office or me. Please feel free to direct your HPSP and any Corps-related questions to us; if for some reason, we cannot answer your specific question, we will contact CCHQ on your behalf to obtain and convey the answer.
Chief Nurse Nominations
CCHQ has called for nominations for Chief Nurse of the PHS Commissioned Corps. Eligible Nurse Officers in the IHS and their Area Director/HQ Office Director have been notified of their eligibility and the nomination submission process. The Chief Nurse position is being vacated by RADM Susan Orsega, who is now the Director of CCHQ.
2018 Annual COER
Having required annual COERs on file is an administrative requirement for Corps officers. Please review your eOPF and Promotion Information Report (PIR) to ensure that you have all required COERs on file for the last 5 years, minimally.
Promotions
For promotion-eligible officers who completed the online COER, the 2019 Reviewing Official Statement (ROS) was part of the COER and is page 5 of the 2018 Annual COER. Promotion results are expected to be published prior to July 1, 2019. Once the results are released, please contact us if you have questions or concerns about your results.
Feel free to contact me or your Regional DCPS Liaison Office with questions.
Thank you,
CAPT Angela Mtungwa
Director, Div. of Commissioned Personnel Support
Commissioned Corps Liaison
Office of Human Resources
Indian Health Service
301-443-5440
Sign up for the IHS Health Professions Recruitment listserv here!