Commissioned Corps Updates (2 September 2020)

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IHS Western Region Commissioned Officers,

Please see the below Commissioned Corps updates with the latest update since this was sent on 8/29/20 highlighted in yellow:

2020 APFT Update

Beginning 3 September 2020, all Commissioned Officers on an APFT waiver between March 2020 – August 2020 can proceed to:

1) Add a new APFT record and enter in all manual fields before saving. Make sure to include your height/weight and BMI information, as this is required. If you are outside of retention weight standards compliance with BMI and/or PBF, include your “taping” results. If you are in-compliance, BMI results alone are sufficient (please review POM 821.66 “Retention Weight Standards” to determine compliance status).

2) Then upload the completed and signed PDF document via eDOC-U. You will see a checkmark in the box indicating this item was successfully completed and uploaded (as with last year’s entry):

Successful upload of this item will satisfy the APFT requirement until it is due for renewal in 2021.

Retirements/Termination Suspension

On 2 July 2020, CCHQ announced the temporary pause of voluntary retirements and terminations. New applications for voluntary retirements (20-30 years) and terminations will not be accepted by CCHQ.  This suspension does not include:

  • Retirements: mandatory (30-year), age 64, medical, and involuntary
  • Terminations: medical or involuntary

CCHQ will review and announce a decision sometime in September/October regarding the acceptance and processing of future requests for Voluntary Retirements and Terminations with separation dates effective January 1, 2021 and beyond.

Deployment Credit

The Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB) priorities are to continue to deploying officers in support of the COVID-19 and other missions. During a mission, deployment files are continuously reviewed and are only finalized after a mission ends. Officers who are missing deployment credit 60-days after a specific mission ends are encouraged to follow-up with the RDB team.

Deployment “On-Call” Schedule

During a Public Health Emergency (PHE), CCHQ does not follow the scheduled “on-call” deployment roster. CCHQ is operating in an “all hands on deck” status until the PHE ends or additional communication is distributed. The monthly courtesy deployment “on-call” alerts are pre-programmed and do not factor in any PHE or “all hands on deck” operational status.

Readiness Requirements

Per readiness and deployment policies, it is the duty and responsibility of each officer to ensure timely renewal and upload of readiness requirements to maintain continuous readiness compliance.

Readiness reports are finalized the 1st day of each month. Requirements for readiness are NOT completed until successfully uploaded to either Self-Service or eDOC-U, as referenced in “Readiness: Down-to-Basics.”

If items are submitted after the month in which they are due, RDB will identify the officer as “Not Qualified.” That status will remain for the duration of the month until it is addressed and the next month’s readiness report is finalized.

  • Periodic Health Update: If you have not reviewed the Periodic Health Update (PHU) information. Please visit PHU FAQs to familiarize yourself with the requirements. Also, take a moment to go to USPHS Commissioned Corps Learning Management System (LMS) to watch the PHU Webinar video.  PHU due dates are posted both on the officer’s dashboard and Self-Service. There is currently a wavier in place for PHU, BLS and APFT; further guidance is forthcoming from CCHQ.
  • Deployment Role: Include a primary deployment role within Self Service area. Officers seeing a “Not Qualified” may be due to a missing primary deployment role in Self Service.

The request to update demographic information is vital as this information is used to both communicate and deploy officers efficiently.  As a reminder, it is paramount to review the below information and update accordingly within the RedDOG Self-Service application:

  • Work Phone, Primary Work Email
  • Personal Cell Phone, Primary Persona Email
  • Airport (departure airport for deployment and training purposes)
  • Language(s) spoken 
  • Professional Specialties
  • Supervisor’s Information

AMS Mobile Login

Officers are highly encouraged to save and follow the AMS Mobile Instructions to set up the one time password to ensure access to OSA when away from duty station or when PIV/CAC card is not available.

Social Media

Officers have a responsibility to maintain a high level of ethics and standards of conduct on all Social Media Platforms.  Social Media is the fastest growing vulnerability to the Public Health Service Mission.  Reckless social media practices or inappropriate posts can put the individual or mission at risk and may be subject to disciplinary action.  Think before you post!

Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP)

CCHQ is continuing to evaluate Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay.  Guidance should be forthcoming.

Proof of Healthcare/Dental Coverage

To access and print proof of healthcare coverage for dependents:

Create a new account if needed by going to New User, but you should already have an account.

  • CLICK ON: “View my health care coverage” (third tab in the first column of the blue tabs). Wait for it to load…..
  • Put cursor on Correspondence/Documentation and click “Proof of coverage.” Wait for it to load….
  • Click on a name and click Generate PDF.  Wait for it to load….
  • You can download and save a letter about coverage with TRICARE. PRINT as needed.

(Attached are instructions with screenshots)

To access and print proof of dental coverage through Delta Dental for active duty officers:

For the officer’s enrollment card for the PHS Active Duty Dental Program go to: https://feds.deltadentalins.com/phsaddp/

Go to the bottom right and print the enrollment card which has information your dentist needs to file claims for you.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Liaison.

V/r,

 

CAPT Martha Wanca

Western Region Commissioned Corps Liaison

Indian Health Service

Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel Support (DCPS)

4141 Ambassador Drive

Suite 300 Room 348

Anchorage, AK 99508

Phone – 907-729-1308

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