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The Signal

The Signal

4th Quarter 2014

January 2015

2014 Signal Board LT Roberto C. Garza, ACOA Communications Co-Chair CDR Maleeka Glover, Layout Editor CAPT John Iskander, Editorial Board Member LCDR David Hunter, Editorial Board Member

Atlanta Commissioned Officers Association

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Table of Contents

President’s Corner

LCDR Zewditu Demissie .......................................................................................................... 3

Featured Articles

ACOA 2014 November Lunch & Learn: Officers’ Interagency Panel .......................................... 4

CAPT Heidi Blanck Receives Distinguished Alumni Award ....................................................... 5

ACOA Officers Stay Active on the Atlanta BeltLine .................................................................. 6

Fall Bowling at Bowlmor Atlanta ............................................................................................ 7

Community and Service Events

ACOA Participates in Helping to Build a House with Habitat for Humanity .............................. 8

ACOA Officers Prepare Meals for Those in Need Throughout the Year .................................. 10

ACOA Helps out at the Atlanta Kids Triathlon ....................................................................... 12

Atlanta Officers Make Strides Against Breast Cancer ............................................................. 13

You’re in the Loop: Information ACOA Members Need to Know

New PHS Insignia for the PHS Uniform ................................................................................. 14

Question and Answer: PHS Uniform Wear ............................................................................ 19

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Dear ACOA Officers, The year 2014 has finally come to an end. That means that your ACOA leadership will be transitioning. Serving as the ACOA President this past year has truly been a rewarding experience for me. It is bittersweet to relinquish the role, but I am looking forward to serving as Immediate Past President and continuing to work with ACOA and the 2015 Executive Committee as we continue to work to advance the PHS Commissioned Corps by uniting and serving all Atlanta-based Commissioned Officers and advocating for their interests. ACOA is in good hands with CDR Deborah Dee, 2015 President, at the helm. Thank you to all of the officers who served on the 2014 Executive Committee and congrat-ulations to all of the officers who were elected to Executive Committee positions in 2015. I encourage all ACOA members to think about how you can serve and support ACOA in the future. Perhaps this may include running for a position on the 2016 Executive Committee! A number of new initiatives were completed in 2014. We distributed the ACOA member-ship survey in May. The new ACOA website was released to the public in July. ACOA is also working to strengthen our activities related to Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) and the PHS Athletics Initiative. Behind the scenes, members of the Executive Committee have developed Standard Operating Procedures for their respective committees or positions. Lastly, the first ACOA Annual Report was recently distributed to the membership. Of course, the Executive Committee and ACOA members have continued to support our other great activities ―the annual promotion ceremony, community service, and profession-al development— and worked on all of our committees. I appreciate everyone’s efforts at helping to maintain ACOA’s reputation as a strong officer-led organization. If you are not currently engaged with ACOA, please look for opportuni-ties to participate in 2015. Volunteer slots will be available on our committees and for the 2015 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium, which is being held in Atlanta. If you did not see the announcement this fall, ACOA is not hosting an Anchor and Caduceus Dinner in January 2015. We will be fully supporting the USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium Anchor and Caduceus Dinner at the Sheraton Atlanta, and encourage all officers to attend the Symposium and this specific event in May. We do still hope to connect with officers socially. The Events Planning Committee held a bowling event in November, with another planned for January 24, 2015, and we will continue to plan other informal social events so that officers can network with each oth-er. The Atlanta BeltLine run/walk and social will be a recurring event in 2015. ACOA would love to hear your ideas about what you would enjoy and find worthwhile. Furthermore, members are welcome to plan social activities through the Events Planning Committee. I hope to see you again in 2015! Thank you all for a wonderful year. Best, LCDR Zewditu Demissie

President’s Corner

LCDR Zewditu Demissie

LCDR Zewditu Demissie

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ACOA 2014 November Lunch & Learn: Officers’ Interagency Panel

LT Kimberly Brinker & LT Jona Ogden

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, the ACOA Professional Development Committee hosted a lunch and learn titled, “Officers’ Interagency Panel.”

A total of nine panelists represented various agencies in the Atlanta area. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), agencies included the Office of the Secretary (OS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Officers also represented independent agencies or agencies under other departments, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Park Service (NPS), and the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

The panel discussion was an engaging way for officers to learn about the different agencies and their missions. For example, LCDR Zanethia Eubanks discussed the OS, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) in Region IV. “Our mission is to empower communities to promote and attain optimal health through both regionally and nationally based programs. We oversee HHS public health activities impacting 62 million Americans within the eight southeastern states (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, and TN), through our various programs and reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health. (For more information, please visit http://www.hhs.gov/ash/rha/region4/).”

Panel members were also able to speak with one another about different career options in the Atlanta area. LCDR Neelam Ghiya (CDC) stated, “It was great to share information on my role as an USPHS officer stationed at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, GA. However, it was an even better experience to meet and learn from a variety of PHS officers working at other agencies. The dialogue and interaction amongst all the officers that attended was valuable

and I am sure we will keep in contact with each other moving forward in our careers.”

Eighteen officers participated in the Lunch and Learn. Many thanks to our panelists as well as LT Travis Mann (CDC), who helped coordinate and moderate the event.

LCDR Neelam D. Ghiya discusses her role as a USPHS officer stationed at CDC headquarters.

LT Travis Mann addresses the panelists, from left to right: LT Kimberly Brinker (CDC), LCDR Candis Hunter (ATSDR), LT Rachael Cook (BOP), LCDR Neelam Ghiya (CDC), LCDR Zanethia Eubanks (OS), LCDR Katrina Sloan (FDA), LT Nicole Bell (FDA), and CDR Brian Cook (NPS).

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CAPT Heidi Blanck Receives Distinguished Alumni Award

LT Roberto Garza

CAPT Heidi Blanck, ACOA member, recently received the Emory University Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedi-cal Sciences (GDBBS) Distinguished Alumni Award. CAPT Blanck was the first alumna from the Nutrition and Health Sciences doctoral program to have received this award. She presented a seminar to the university on her work with the USPHS and CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). CAPT Blanck, a Scientist Officer and chief of the Obesity Branch in CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, spoke about her work on community-based childhood obesity prevention. The award was presented to CAPT Blanck on September 17, 2014, by Dr. Lisa Tedesco, Dean of the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies and GDBBS Director Dr. Keith Wilkinson at the 5th Annual GDBBS Awards Gala in Atlanta.

CAPT Heidi Blanck posing with Dr. Lisa Tedesco and Dr. Keith Wilkinson.

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ACOA Officers Stay Active on the Atlanta BeltLine

LCDR Zewditu Demissie

On Saturday, October 4, 2014, nine ACOA officers, nine of their friends and family members, and one puppy, braved the chilly weather to run/walk the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine. This event was created to support officers’ physical fitness

and desire for camaraderie, and to align with the Surgeon General’s Every Body Walk! Initiative and the National Pre-vention Strategy. Participants were welcome to enjoy the full 4.5-mile round-trip trail or to stop at any of the various access points or establishments along the route.

The Atlanta BeltLine provides a unique venue where the public has the opportunity to engage in physical activity. Small and large groups alike use the BeltLine for physical activity. The trail supports walking/running, cycling, skating/blading, skateboarding, and other forms of non-motorized transport. It is also stroller and pet friendly. CAPT John Iskander’s children brought their unicycle, LT Rachael Cook was accompanied by her husband and infant, and LCDR Jona Ogden brought along her dog, Latte. After the activity, four officers and a guest had brunch at 10th & Piedmont, a local restaurant near Piedmont Park.

The BeltLine provides residents and visitors with a new avenue for getting around the city and has served as a desti-nation unto itself. It seeks to transform Atlanta with a combination of rail, trail, green space, housing, and art. The BeltLine is being built upon an existing 22-mile historic rail corridor that encircles the City of Atlanta. Once the project is completed, it will connect 45 in-town neighborhoods, connect to regional transportation initiatives, and boost Atlanta’s economic growth and sustainability. The ultimate plan is to include pedestrian-friendly rail transit and 33 miles of multi-use trails along and connected to the corridor.

ACOA plans to repeat this activity in the future. If you are interested in leading a BeltLine fitness event or any other fitness activity, please contact the 2015 ACOA Events Planning Co-Chairs, CDR Leslie Hausman (LWH4@cdc.gov) and LT Travis Mann (WVS6@cdc.gov).

Atlanta BeltLine: http://beltline.org

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail: http://beltline.org/trails/eastside-trail/

Surgeon General’s Every Body Walk! Initiative: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/walking/

National Prevention Strategy: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/prevention/strategy/

National Prevention Strategy Vision and Priorities

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On November 8, 2014, ACOA hosted their second informal social event of the year. Thirteen officers and their guests gathered to foster camaraderie and show off their bowling skills at Bowlmor Atlanta (formerly 300 bowling alley). This event provided a great opportunity for Atlanta-area PHS officers to interact with one another and family and friends. Amidst the sounds of upbeat pop music, officers and guests of all bowling skill levels battled it out in good-natured competition. The expertise of some of the officers quickly became evident based on their personally owned bowling shoes and bowling balls, while others were novices who jokingly admitted they could have benefitted from bumper guards. Nevertheless, the PHS spirit was in full swing and a great time was had by all.

“Some say the bowling experience is determined by your highest score at the end of the game, but I think the best part of this experience was being at a relaxed venue to socialize with other officers outside of the workplace,” remarked LCDR Oboho.

Several officers also remarked that this was a social activity worth continuing. For those who missed this fun-filled event, there will be another opportunity to show off your bowling expertise or to pick up pointers in the near future. ACOA hopes to have more social events to engage our officers in some entertaining opportunities outside of their daily work hours. Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming events.

Fall Bowling at Bowlmor Atlanta

LCDR Ikwo Oboho, LCDR Francisca Abanyie, & LT Jennifer Lind

ACOA members, family, and friends STRIKE a pose at Bowlmor Atlanta!

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On Saturday, September 20, 2014, five Atlanta-based ACOA members participated in a build for the Atlanta chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Each Habitat house is built over seven consecutive Saturdays; forty-five volunteers, including ACOA officers, participated in “Day 4” of the build. Under the supervision of a Habitat for Humanity house leader, volunteers caulked the attic to seal the air inside the home; laid shingles on the roof; removed the safety rail around the roof; and installed doors, ceiling railing, and cedar shingle siding. They also built stairs for a deck in the back of the home and painted the interior of the home. Volunteers completed the day by cleaning the site and disassembling and storing the tools.

As always, ACOA volunteers were grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the construction of a beautiful home for a wonderful family. Five officers may not seem like many, but they volunteered one full work-week of labor to this effort. This was the second ACOA build event with Habitat for Humanity this year. ACOA plans to continue sponsoring community service activities with Habitat for Humanity. Stay tuned for information regarding the next event. For more information about Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, visit their website at http://www.atlantahabitat.org/.

ACOA Participates in Helping to Build a House with Habitat for Humanity

LCDR Sylvera Demas & CDR Timothy Styles

(Continued on page 9)

Above: Left to right: LCDR Sylvera Demas, LT Jason Dailey, LCDR Kanta

Sircar, CDR Timothy Styles. (Not shown: LT Ayana Anderson.)

Below: LCDR Demas caulking the attic

to seal the air.

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Habitat for Humanity,” continued

LT Dailey nailing an anchor on the roof.

LCDR Demas cutting shingles on the roof.

LT Anderson painting a wall.

CDR Styles cutting rail for a patio.

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On Sunday, July 13, 2014, 16 USPHS officers, family, and friends from the ACOA prepared meals for Project Open Hand. Equipped with hairnets and aprons, volunteers prepared and packaged approximately 2,630 meals scheduled for delivery the next day. For some participants in the pro-gram, the meals prepared by Project Open Hand are the only meals that they will receive for the entire day.

Despite several officers being unable to attend due to last-minute deployments, the ACOA team, led by CDR Deborah Dee, was able to bring additional volunteers. As CDR Dee stated, “Our team did a fantastic job! It was a really great group of volunteers who came together to help others in need, and to fill in for our deployed colleagues. Everything ran very smoothly.”

ACOA officers and family members returned for a second volunteer experience on Saturday November 8, 2014. ACOA volunteers arrived at noon for our shift, excited and ready to assist in any way we could. We donned our aprons, hair nets and gloves and quickly got to work, side-by-side packaging over 500 meals for people in need. During our enjoyable yet efficient experience we assisted Project Open Hand in overcoming a back log as several other volunteer groups had recently dropped out. The meals we packed cover lunch, dinner and even breakfast for the following day!

Project Open Hand has over 25 years of service to the community and provides nutritious meals to members of the Atlanta community who are too sick to prepare their own meals or those at risk of chronic disease because of poor nutrition. Approximately 700 individuals volunteer at Project Open Hand each week to provide 4,500 meals daily to Atlanta-area residents with chronic and terminal illnesses. ACOA officers look forward to volunteering with Project Open Hand again soon. To learn more about Project Open Hand, please visit www.projectopenhand.org.

ACOA Officers Prepare Meals for Those in Need Throughout the Year

LCDR Emily Jentes & LT Ayana Anderson

Volunteers in the front row, left to right: Eric Combest, LCDR Mark Freedman, CAPT Craig Wilkins, Alex Kalman, Felecia Wilkins, Margie Cseh, Ashleigh Cseh, Back row, left to right: David Fitter, LCDR Kristie Appelgren, Todd Williams, LCDR Kanta Sircar, CDR Jenny Williams, CDR Deborah Dee, Liv Combest, CAPT Larry Cseh. (Not pictured: Noah Freedman)

(Continued on page 11)

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Project Open Hand, continued

ACOA volunteers prepare meals for Project Open Hand.

Left to right: ACOA officer family member, LCDR Mark Freedman, CDR Meredith McMorrow, LCDR

Adriane Niaré, LCDR Asha Ivey-Stephenson, LCDR Robyn Fanfair, LCDR Tegan Boehmer and CAPT

Walter Holt.

It's About More Than a Meal.

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ACOA Helps out at the Atlanta Kids Triathlon

LCDR Tara Foley

Fifteen ACOA officers from three different agencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Bureau of Prisons) and their guests volunteered for the first time at the Atlanta Kids Triathlon on Sunday, August 24, 2014. The Atlanta Kids Triathlon is an annual event that is open to children aged 6-15 years. This year’s triathlon, which hosted over 900 participants, originally started as a fun and healthy event for kids and is one of the five largest triathlons for children in the United States. Triathlons are one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and this event introduces kids to a healthy, positive lifestyle that encourages daily exercise, good nutrition, and making healthy choices.

ACOA volunteers started out their day, some as early as 5:30 am, by ensuring that triathlon participants were appropriately marked for the event. Afterward, the volunteers were sent to various stations, including the main tent where partici-pants began their race, or transition locations between the swim and bike segments or the bike and run segments. Most of the volunteers stayed until about noon or later and were almost as exhausted as the participants, which included the children of a number of officers. LCDR Zanethia Eubanks stated, “Attending the triathlon with my daughter and watching the resilience and drive of the children participating inspired my children to participate in the future triathlons, and inspired us to do more physical activities together as a family.”

LCDR Ellie Click and LCDR Jennifer Foltz.

Left to right: LCDR Esra Toussaint, LCDR Zanethia Eubanks, LCDR Ray Tookes, Carrie Tookes, CDR Deron Burton; in front is Ziya Jackson, daughter of LCDR Eubanks. LCDR James Dixon marking a tri-

athlete in the early hours before the start of the triathlon.

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Atlanta Officers Make Strides Against Breast Cancer

LCDR Jocelyn Patterson Mosley, LT Arin Freeman, LCDR Jennifer Smith, & LCDR Zanethia Eubanks

This year, Atlanta-area officers, including members of ACOA and of the Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG), volunteered with the 2014 American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. On October 25, 2014, a group of six officers volunteered their time and talents to support the annual event. Officers reported to duty bright and early at 5:30am, while it was still dark, in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. On this chilly October morning, officers kept warm by assisting with pre-walk set up, unloading donations, monitoring the Lost-and-Found booth during the race, and cheering on walkers.

“Breast cancer continues to be a significant burden in the Black communi-ty, so it seemed like an especially important event for BCOAG to support. I was inspired to get Atlanta-area officers involved in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk by my mentor, who coordinated a similar vol-unteer activity for BCOAG members in Washington, DC,” said LT Arin Free-man, event co-lead.

Officers volunteering at the event agreed that it was empowering to see people of all ages, especially so many breast cancer survivors, gathered for the walk. One of the highlights of the day was working with a cancer survi-vor who was assisting with the Lost-and-Found booth. LCDR Jennifer Smith shared, “She was a delightful woman. Even with her knee and back prob-lems, she told me that she volunteers at breast cancer walks, lupus walks, heart disease walks...hearing her story of triumph over breast cancer was so inspiring.”

The 2014 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was definitely a success. The walk included approximately 1,000 teams and over 9,000 participants. The event raised $412,000 for breast cancer research. Officers who volunteered were proud to serve and look forward to volunteering again next year.

LT Arin Freeman unloading donations.

Left to right: A breast cancer survivor, LCDR Jennifer Smith, and LCDR Smith’s daughter volunteer at the event’s Lost-and-Found Booth.

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As part of the recent release of uniform instructions by Corps leadership this summer, it was announced that most PHS-specific insignia (generally, those items that feature the anchor and caduceus) purchased prior to March 2012 are being phased out and will need to be updated by January 1, 2015, to the new “milspec” insignia, meaning they are manufac-tured to meet a defined military specification in size and design, which will ensure consistency. Details of this change can be found in Section 6-9 of the newly update CC 431.01 Instruction about “Insignia and Devices” dated April 29, 2014: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CC431_01.pdf

6-9. Phase out of old insignia and devices.

a. Effective January 1, 2015, the following insignia and devices that were purchased or obtained before March 2012 will be phased out and the new milspec’d items will be required for wear.

1) Cap Devices (both combination cover and miniature size)

2) PHS Collar Device

3) PHS Sleeve Device

4) Field Medical Readiness Badge

5) HHS Identification Badge

6) Hard Shoulder Boards

7) Soft Shoulder Marks

One of the primary reasons for this change is so that PHS insignia worn on the uniform will be the same no matter where it is purchased, providing a degree of uniformity from officer to officer. In the past, some PHS devices have been different in appearance depending on when and where they were purchased. Hard shoulder boards, soft shoulder marks, and the PHS sleeve device are particularly good examples of devices that can differ in appearance from one officer to the next. This change will eliminate the differences and bring consistency to the appearance of our uniforms.

It is worth nothing that a couple of items will not be changing in the near future and do not need to be replaced at this time. Uniform buttons, to include the screw-on cap buttons, will remain unchanged. In addition, the sleeve device with a white background for use on the Female Service Dress White, Full Dress White, Dinner Dress White, and Dinner Dress White Jacket uniforms will remain unchanged. This is because the Dress White is an uncommon uniform and many of the sleeve devices are still in inventory, so it was considered impractical to make a new one at this time.

New PHS Insignia for the PHS Uniform

CAPT Bruce Tierney & LCDR Zewditu Demissie

(Continued on page 15)

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One item, the optional belt buckle decorated with the miniature cap device, will be changing in design for the male belt buckle but will not be changing for the female belt buckle. This is because the new cap device does not fit well on the narrower female belt buckle. As a result, women will be exempted from the requirement for changeover to the new insignia for the female belt buckle only.

The devices that will need to be updated include the following:

1. PHS Cap Device (full size for combination cover and miniature size for garrison cover)

2. PHS Collar Device

(Continued on page 16)

New Insignia , continued

3. PHS Sleeve Device

4. Field Medical Readiness Badge

5. HHS Identification Badge (full size and miniature size device for wear on the uniform)

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(Continued on page 17)

New Insignia , continued

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6. Hard Shoulder Boards

Male Shoulder Boards (approximately 6.5” long) Female Shoulder Boards (approximately 6” long)

7. Soft Shoulder Marks (unisex design)

(Continued on page 18)

New Insignia, continued

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Some officers may now have a number of PHS devices that will no longer be authorized. What should one do with these items?

Officers may keep old PHS devices as a keepsake for their own personal use (for example, for use in a “shadowbox” often created for an officer at the time of their retirement) or they may sell or donate them to an appropriate organiza-tion as historical items. (Please note that the ACOA Uniform Store does not accept donations of items with the old de-vice.) PHS devices that are no longer authorized generally should not be sold or given away to an individual or group that does not have a proper historical use for them. PHS devices that are no longer authorized but are kept as a keep-sake should never be used as a backup or alternative to the proper authorized PHS device. These devices should also no longer be passed on to other officers for use with the PHS uniform. Officers may also dispose of PHS devices that are no longer authorized for use by destroying them to prevent them from reentering the system and being used as a "current" PHS device. Metal devices can be broken and cloth devices can be cut when being disposed of so that they are no longer serviceable.

New Insignia, continued

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This is the LAST article in our series of uniform Q&A for 2014. We hope that you have found this series useful. Thanks to

the officers who submitted their questions.

What are the new PHS insignia that must be updated as of January 1, 2015?

The previous article provided more detail on PHS insignia affected by this change in uniform policy.

How do I appropriately wear the black Army cardigan?

The black Army cardigan is an optional item for the Service Dress Blue (SDB), Summer White, Service Khaki, and Cover-

alls. Metal badges are not authorized to be worn on the sweater. Furthermore, neither the black leather name patch nor

plastic name tag is authorized for wear on the cardigan. The sweater is authorized for daily wear and for attending work-

ing-level meetings and briefings. All buttons must be buttoned when worn. The cardigan sweater shall not be worn out-

doors. If you are going somewhere that requires a cover, then the cardigan should be removed. The SDB coat, Navy pull-

over sweater, or Windbreaker jacket are authorized alternatives for outdoor wear, as appropriate. Officers shall wear

soft shoulder marks on the epaulets of the cardigan. The shirt collar is worn inside the cardigan when a tie is worn and

outside the cardigan when no tie is worn. Officers may not roll or push up cardigan sleeves beyond the wrist area. The

black Army cardigan cannot be purchased from the Navy Exchange website; it can only be purchased online from the

Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) website (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/army-unisex-cardigan-

sweater/1991405). If you are not registered on the AAFES website, you will need to do so before you can purchase

uniform items.

Question and Answer: PHS Uniform Wear

LCDR Zewditu Demissie & CAPT Bruce Tierney

(Continued on page 20)

PHS officers demonstrating wear of the black Army cardigan with open and closed collar shirt.

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How do I appropriately wear the overblouse with the Service Khaki?

The Service Khaki overblouse is authorized for use by female officers only. As with the short sleeve Service Khaki shirt, the materials of the top and slacks or skirt must match. All buttons must be buttoned. The shirt should be appropriately-sized so that the shirt tails must not be visible when worn with the sweater, cardigan or windbreaker jacket. This may require tucking the shirt tail beneath the sweater or jacket as needed when they are worn. There are no breast pockets on the Service Khaki overblouse. The bottom of the name tag and bottom of the lowest row of ribbons shall be centered from the arm sleeve seam to the shirt opening, and be worn parallel with the bottom of the first button (see photo).

What is a covered area?

In general, indoor areas are considered covered, while outdoor areas and incomplete structures without four walls and a

ceiling are considered uncovered. Local Uniform Authorities determine what areas are designated as covered areas. This

may include specific areas of connected or adjacent buildings and grounds not including parking areas, which officers

may transit out-of-doors but consider themselves indoors for purposes of meeting uniform requirements and extending

service courtesy such as saluting. However, entire areas, such as but not limited to: campuses, complexes, installations,

institutions, research facilities or parking areas/decks, in which interaction with the general public or other Uniformed

Service members is likely, are not permitted to be considered covered. If in doubt, use your cover. Currently, there are

no designated outdoor or partially enclosed areas at CDC/ATSDR where officers do not have to wear a cover. This in-

cludes all walkways between buildings on all CDC/ATSDR campuses, as well as parking areas and parking decks (no

matter what level you are on). A cover should be worn at all times when in these areas.

What does it mean when a uniform component is described as “prescribable?”

Prescribable items are uniform items that may be directed or authorized for wear with the basic uniform. These items

may be worn with the basic uniform at the individual's discretion, unless otherwise directed. For example, the khaki

garrison cap is a prescribable item for the Service Khaki. The required cover for the Service Khaki is the khaki combina-

tion cap.

(Continued on page 21)

PHS Uniform Wear, continued

Photo from: http://www.phs-dental.org/depac/docs/Uniform%20Update%20Presentation.pdf

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What is appropriate wear of the ODU?

The Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) should not be worn at high-level meetings or ceremonies. For these

occasions, an appropriate service uniform shall be worn. If you are traveling to the Washington, DC, area, it is

important to note that the ODU should not be worn at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building or the Wilbur J. Cohen

Building, unless directed by the Surgeon General (SG). The ODU may be worn one day per week as an alternate to a

service uniform. The ODU may be worn to and from work, in public places, and while attending working-level

meetings. ODU wear is also appropriate when safety, work, or environmental conditions make other uniforms

unsafe, inappropriate, or otherwise impractical, or whenever prescribed by the SG.

In addition to the questions and answers noted above, here are some pictures that provide additional infor-

mation for a question discussed in the PHS Uniform Wear article in the June 2014 edition of The Signal.

My combination cover does not seem to match other officers’ covers. Why is that?

Check to make sure that you have the current authorized version of the PHS cover. If you purchase a combination

cover through NavyNex or many other uniform outlets, the cover will likely come with Navy accessories that will

need to be changed to the proper PHS accessories. In order to convert the Navy cover to a PHS cover, you must

purchase:

(1) PHS chin strap (gold with a maroon strip in the middle). The chin strap is not used on the O-5/O-6 and O-7 and

above female combination covers.

(2) Large, all-gold, PHS cap device. In contrast, the Navy cap device is gold and silver.

(3) PHS gold cap screw-on buttons that have the anchor and caduceus on them.

PHS Uniform Wear, continued

(Continued on page 22

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(Continued on page 23)

PHS Uniform Wear, continued

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For female officers, this information applies primarily to the combination cover for officers between the rank of

Ensign (O-1) and Lieutenant Commander (O-4). Commanders (O-5) and above do not need the chin strap or screw

on cap buttons but will still need to insure the correct PHS cap device insignia is used.

Reminders:

The deadline for conversion of the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) to the ODU was December 31, 2014. Effective Janu-

ary 1, 2015, officers are no longer authorized to wear the BDU.

The phase-out of all old insignia and devices occurs on January 1, 2015. Ensure that you have insignia and devices

with the new USPHS design. Affected items include cap devices, collar devices, sleeve devices, Field Medical Readi-

ness Badge, HHS identification badge, hard shoulder boards, and soft shoulder marks.

References:

Official published documents regarding uniform wear for all officers and for female and male officers, separately,

can be found on the CCMIS website. Most Uniform Instructions are found in Book 4, Book 5 and Book 8 in the Table

of Contents: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/CCISToc.aspx?ShowTOC=Y

Uniforms and Appearance: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CC412.01.pdf

Wear of Ribbons and Medals: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM26_3_3.pdf

Uniforms for Male Officers: http://ccmis.usphs.gov/eCCIS/documents/CC421_01.pdf

Uniforms for Female Officers: http://ccmis.usphs.gov/eCCIS/documents/CC421_02.pdf

Insignia and Devices: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CC431_01.pdf

Special Uniform Situations: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CC413_01.pdf

For additional guidance regarding uniforms, see also CAPT Tierney’s presentation entitled “(The) Uniform Matters:

Information and Updates for Proper Wear of the PHS Uniform” from July 2014: http://www.atlantacoa.com/

Websites/AtlantaCOA/images/Tierney_CCUniforms_updated_30JUN2014.pdf

PHS Uniform Wear, continued