CDC Officers Complete Basic Officer Training Course
New Instructor Program
Holds Promise for More BOTC Opportunities
The Commissioned Officer Training Academy presented a 3-day Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC) at the Roybal Campus of CDC on November 6-8, 2004. Approximately 95 officers graduated from the course. Over 50 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers (EISOs) were among those graduating from the Course.
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Master COTA Instructors CDC Dana Taylor and CDR Cheryl Wiseman presented the Course in Auditorium B. They were supplemented by Apprentice Instructors from CDC and ATSDR: CAPT Austin Hayes, CAPT John Steward, CAPT Janice Huy, CDR Amy Collins, CDR Alan Parham, and CDR Patricia Pettis.
The curriculum was fast-paced, covering most aspects critical to a successful Commissioned Corps career. Topics included Corps history, military customs and courtesies, uniforms, career development, promotion, leave, conduct and ethics, and uniformed services values. The instructors kept things interesting with uniform inspections, lively discussions of contemporary issues, protocol drills, and mass renditions of the “PHS March.”
Recently, COTA has begun a program to enlist additional instructor staff by reaching out to experienced officers in the agencies. Candidate instructors begin a development program as Apprentice Instructors. After obtaining experience and training in the various areas necessary to conduct a BOTC, the instructors will be designated as Associates. They will be able to partner with COTA Master Instructors in presenting the BOTC.
The Office of Commissioned Corps Personnel (OCCP) intends to conduct several BOTCs in 2005 both in Atlanta and other CDC locations. OCCP is currently negotiating for a date to conduct a BOTC in Cincinnati.
While not a requirement for promotion, completion of BOTC and the followup Independent Officer Training Course (IOTC) were benchmarks for promotion for all categories in 2004. Thus, completion of BOTC and IOTC enhances an officer’s promotion record.
For more information about the COTA and BOTC.