For Official Use Only – Not for Public Release
Leave Carryover
The Commissioned Officers Association (COA) was successful in drafting and lobbying for the inclusion of language into the Continuing Resolution to allow Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers to carry over leave in excess of 60 days. As a result of Public Law 116-159, effective 30 September 2020, all unused annual leave earned in FY2020 may be carried over through 30 September 2023. This is a great accomplishment for COA and victory for PHS officers who have been instrumental in COVID-19 mitigation and response efforts, and other mission critical activities across the IHS.
Leave balances in eCORPS therefore were not truncated for those who had more than 60 days of unused annual leave. Note that this is apparently a one-time leave carryover and applies only to leave in excess of 60 days earned in FY2020. See attached message from Admiral Giroir and Vice Admiral Adams, which was sent to all Corps officers on 1 October 2020.
We will receive additional clarifying guidance from CCHQ next week, including examples/scenarios, which we will share, if CCHQ does not communicate it directly.
Suspension of Voluntary Separations and Retirements
On 29 September 2020, Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ) notified officers that the current suspension of voluntary separations and retirements would extend until 31 March 2021 (see attached). Admiral Giroir, the Assistant Secretary for Health, held a call on 30 September 2020 with potentially impacted officers, those with 20-30 years of active duty service.
DCPS plans to hold a call for impacted IHS officers to address questions and concerns. After receiving some clarifying guidance from CCHQ, we will also specify our internal deadlines for receipt of retirement packages for those planning to retire on 1 April 2021. If you are considering retirement next year and have not discussed package requirements with us, please contact your Regional DCPS Liaison Office.
The moratorium on voluntary separations and retirements does not apply to mandatory retirements, age 64 retirements, involuntary retirements or terminations, or medical/disability retirements.
2020 Annual COER
The 2020 Annual COER is now available in CCMIS. The system has been upgraded. Officers are encouraged to review Personnel Operations Memorandum, 821.73, “Annual COER” and the “New COER System” webinar and user guide to familiarize yourself with the system.
Please note the following important dates for the 2020 Annual COER:
- The Annual COER is available on 1 October 2020
- The Annual COER is due to the Rater by 28 October 2020
- The Annual COER is due to the Reviewing Official by 24 November 2020
- The Annual COER is due to the Agency Liaison by 15 December 2020
- The Annual COER is due to Commissioned Corps Headquarters by 15 January 2021
Once we have had the opportunity to review and digest the POM and system changes, DCPS will send additional guidance to assist officers, Raters, and Reviewing Officials with completion of the COER. Please stay tuned for additional information in the coming week.
If you have IT or access issues related to your COER, please contact the Commissioned Corps Help Desk at cchelpdesk@hhs.gov.
Readiness Requirements
The Surgeon General announced during the Town Hall that the Periodic Health Update (PHU), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT) will continue to be extended through the 1 March 2021 readiness check, meaning the items will all be required for submission before 31 March 2021. Please do not wait until the last day of the month to enter or upload items for readiness; doing so may lead to a false “not ready” result that will take time and effort to resolve. Despite the exceptions, officers are encouraged to continue making all efforts to complete and submit the above readiness items, whenever possible.
For any officer who had an APFT extension which expired on 09/02/20, APFT records can now be created and documents uploaded via eDOC-U. The earliest date the system will allow for “APFT completion date” is 09/03/20, as prior to that officers were covered for the APFT under the APFT extension waiver.
There is no need to email the Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB) or Medical Affairs Branch (MAB) requesting an extension for the PHU, BLS, or APFT for October or future months. Extensions do not apply to immunizations, professional licensure, or weight standard requirements.
More information regarding readiness standards may be found on the RedDOG Self-Service page of the Officer Secure Area.
Commissioned Corps Town Hall
On September 22 and September 24, 2020, CCHQ held a 2-day town hall to address over a hundred officer concerns and questions. The Surgeon General gave opening remarks, and the Deputy Surgeon General and Director of CCHQ answered questions and concerns submitted by officers, as read aloud by the Chief Professional Officers. CCHQ leadership acknowledged the need to improve communication and service in some specific areas and committed to holding monthly town halls to address operational issues, like leave, retirement, Health Professions Special Pay, promotions, etc. The top level, more strategic town halls will continue to be held quarterly. CCHQ has indicated that recordings of the town hall will be made available in the Officer Secure Area in the near future.
Please stay tuned for additional information regarding the leave carryover, 2020 Annual COER, and suspension of voluntary retirements and terminations. Should you have questions and concerns in the interim on these or other topics, please contact your respective DCPS Regional or HQ Liaison team.
Have a great weekend.
Thank you,
CAPT Angela Mtungwa
Director, Div. of Commissioned Personnel Support
Indian Health Service
Office: 301-443-5440
Angela.Mtungwa@ihs.gov