From: Headquarters, Commissioned Corps <COMMCORPS-HQ@LIST.NIH.GOV> On Behalf Of Commissioned Corps HQ (HHS/OSG)
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2020 12:10 PM
To: COMMCORPS-HQ@LIST.NIH.GOV
Subject: Announcing the Suspension of Voluntary Retirements and Voluntary Separations
Dear Public Health Service Officers,
The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is committed to serving the nation’s healthcare needs during these challenging times. Now more than ever, America needs the expertise and skillsets of our Public Health Service officers. For this reason, the Commissioned Corps will temporarily pause both the acceptance of Voluntary Separations/Resignation of Commission and processing of any new (not previously submitted) Voluntary Retirements for officers between 20 to 30 years of active duty service. Thus, effective today, Thursday, July 2, 2020, Commissioned Corps Headquarters will no longer process any new requests for Voluntary Separation or Voluntary Retirement for officers who have between 20 to 30 years of active duty service. This means any separation/retirement paperwork (PHS-1373) with effective dates between August 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 will not be accepted or processed. The Department has notified all Health and Human Service (HHS) and Non-HHS Human Resource Directors of this decision.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health understands this may impose a burden on those who have already made plans to depart, however, unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. It is crucial the Commissioned Corps sustains the workforce necessary to support the current public health emergency and the day-to-day operations of the HHS OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs and Non-HHS Agencies where Public Health Service officers are assigned. Though difficult, the Corps made this decision pursuant to Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) 384.02, “Voluntary Retirement (greater than or equal to 20 years to less than 30 years),” which states, “Voluntary retirement before completing 30 years of creditable service for retirement eligibility shall be approved only if the services of an officer can be relinquished without adverse effects on the continued and effective operation of HHS Operating Division/Staff Division (OPDIV /STAFFDIV) or non-HHS organization to which the officer is assigned.” Furthermore, “the retirement of an officer who has completed 20 years of active service, but less than 30 years of active service, is at the discretion of the Corps.” In addition, the President has delegated to the Surgeon General the authority to accept a voluntary resignation of an officer’s commission.
Please note that this moratorium does not include mandatory (30-year) retirement, age 64 retirement, disability/involuntary retirement, or involuntary separation.
By October 1, 2020, a decision will be made regarding the acceptance and processing of future requests for Voluntary Separations and Voluntary Retirements with separation dates effective January 1, 2021 and beyond. If you have any questions or concerns related to the suspension of Voluntary Separations and Voluntary Retirements, please send a message via eCMCS to the CCHQ Office of Director: Retirement Termination mailbox.
Thank you for your continued service and commitment to the Commissioned Corps. We continue to be amazed and proud of you all for not only meeting, but exceeding the demands of this current crisis. Please stay safe during these challenging times. Sincerely,
Susan M. Orsega
RADM, USPHS
Director, Commissioned Corps Headquarters