Dear Commissioned Corps Officers,
As we position ourselves to assist with controlling the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), this is official notification that officers assigned to HHS agencies are being deployed without supervisor approval.
Commissioned Corps Directive (CCD) 121.02, Deployment and Readiness, states that the Assistant Secretary for Health can deploy officers assigned to an HHS OPDIV/STAFFDIV without supervisor approval. Officers assigned to non-HHS Agencies will continue to be deployed in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement/Understanding between the Commissioned Corps and the non-HHS Agency.
As Commissioned Corps officers and America’s Health Responders, we stand ready to preserve public health and national security during national or global health emergencies. Answering this call is no different. Our mission is to be out the door as soon as requested; and this is an “all hands on deck” situation.
In addition, to demonstrate our readiness and to send the message that Commissioned Corps officers are equipped to help whenever called; effective Monday, February 3, 2020, the National Uniform Authority has requested that all officers wear their Operational Dress Uniform (ODUs)* until further notice.
Please know that I am sincerely grateful to each of you who answers our Nation’s call to deploy.
Sincerely,
Brett P. Giroir, MD
ADM, USPHS
Assistant Secretary for Health
*Your Local Uniform Authority can prescribe a different uniform if the situations warrants (e.g., you are scheduled to attend or present at a conference).