Officers,
For those unaware, the Awards Program Policy CCI 511.01 was recently updated and posted on CCMIS. Below is the text included at the following link for those interested: https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/bulletin/Updated_Awards_Policy.aspx
Updated Awards Program Policy CCI 511.01
Submitted by: CDR Dorinda Ball, COAP Coordinator
The most recent edition of the Awards Program Policy CCI 511.01 was approved by the former and then HHS Secretary, Sylvia Burwell, on January 11, 2017. Below are some of the major updates and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you navigate the changes.
6-3.k –
Global Health Initiatives Service Medal (GHISM)
The PPM 09-003, dated December 18, 2008 contained additional specifics on the eligibility for this award. This information is now included in the updated policy, CCI 511.01. Officers cannot also receive the GHCM for the same Initiative or mission.
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Global Health Campaign Medal (GHCM)
The PPM 09-002, dated December 18, 2008 contained additional specifics on the eligibility for this award. This information is now included in the updated policy, CCI 511.01. Officers are not eligible for the FDA or SAA in addition to the GHCM.
6-4.d
Ebola Campaign Medal (ECM)
The beginning date was adjusted to March 31, 2014, to correctly reflect the official request to support the response effort. In order to accommodate the additional eligibility for officers to receive response awards, the time criteria was adjusted from 14 consecutive days to 30, and from 30 non-consecutive days to 60. The Surgeon General will determine the assignment criteria via a Decision Memo for the ECM, as well as any other response awards. The FDA is now authorized for those meeting the established criteria.
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Field Medical Readiness Badge (FMRB)
Policy was updated to reflect the current APFT, training, and deployment requirements. Officers will not receive agency deployment credit unless the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps (Corps) is officially activated for a response
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Certificates and Medals
To align with our sister services, certificates will be prepared for PHS Individual Honor Awards only. No other certificates will be produced.
8-9. –
Isolated/Hardship Site Designation Criteria
The criteria is now simplified and limited to sites that Corps officers can actually be assigned. A full list of designated sites is now available in Appendix A of CCI511.01.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.
How do I put in for a GHISM/GHCM?
Please continue to work with your Agency Liaison and Awards Coordinator to determine your eligibility. They will submit the appropriate documentation to the Commissioned Officer Awards Program (COAP) and the Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR) for processing.
Q.
I served on one of the Continuing Promise missions in 2009-10, when will I receive the GHCM?
COAP and RedDOG are actively working together to resolve a backlog of a number of deployment related service awards, including the GHCM for these missions.
Q.
When will the ECMs, EAs, response and service awards be processed?
COAP predicts processing of these awards will occur in stages during the month of February. The awards will be processed in Direct Access and the information will transmit to the Personnel Information Report (PIR). No further support documents will be placed in the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). Please visit the Commissioned Officer Awards Program (COAP) webpage for information on viewing in Direct Access.
Q.
What do the ECM and EA look like and where are they available?
We are in the process of updating the COAP website on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System (CCMIS) to accurately display the types of recognition and awards with criteria. Both UltraThin and Vanguard are producing the ECM and the EA. The ECM is available and the reported estimate of EA availability is May, 2017.
Q.
How do I get agency deployment credit if the Corps is activated?
Your agency will provide your verified deployment information to RedDOG. This information will also be utilized for any deployment related service award. Eligibility will start as of the official Corps activation date.
Q.
If there’s no certificate, how will I know when an award has been processed?
The approval date and award name will transmit to the PIR from Direct Access. The “Cited For” information from honor awards or the service award descriptor, as well as the unit name of unit awards is documented in Direct Access and is available for view by utilizing your Member Information report. Please visit the Commissioned Officer Awards Program (COAP) webpage for information on viewing in Direct Access. DCCPR is still working to resolve software issues that are preventing the upload of unit award support documents to the eOPF.
Q.
How will the new ISOHAR designations be implemented?
Those officers currently assigned to sites designated as ISOHAR, but that are not included on Appendix A, will still be eligible to earn the ISOHAR upon completion of 180 days at that assignment. The new criteria will apply to officers assigned to sites as of the effective date of the new policy, January 11, 2017.
Q.
I still have questions, where can I get more information?
Please contact your Commissioned Corps Agency Liaison or visit the COAP website.
Adam C. Harris, PharmD, BCPS, CPHQ, CCMSCP
LCDR, United States Public Health Service
Manager of Accreditation
Alaska Native Medical Center
4315 Diplomacy Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
907-729-3986