How do promotions work?
Each year, promotion-eligible officers are sent a letter notifying them of their promotion eligibility. Information on how and when to submit information to the officer's official personnel file (OPF) is included in the letter. Eligible officers' records are reviewed by a promotion board that consists of five officers from the specific professional category. This review includes careful consideration of the officer's career as it relates to five of the six precepts upon which promotion recommendations are based. These five precepts are as follows:
- Performance based largely on the Commissioned Officers' effectiveness report (COER)
- Mobility (geographic and/or programmatic)
- Awards
- Career progression
- Career potential.
A sixth precept is the agency or program recommendation.
Officers eligible for promotion to the O-3 (LT)—and to the O-4 (LCDR) in the Medical category—are eligible for an administrative promotion rather than a competitive promotion. Provided the officer has met the requirements for promotion (generally successful completion of at least 6 months of active-duty service in the Public Health Service and submission of a COER), he/she will be administratively promoted after review by the Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support, Office of Commissioned Corps Operations, rather than being reviewed by a board.
Commissioned Corps promotion policy is contained in instructions 1 and 2, Subchapter CC23.4, of the Commissioned Corps personnel manual (CCPM). Helpful information is also contained in CCPM Pamphlet 62, "Commissioned Officer's Handbook," both of which are available on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System Web site.
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Will I be required to wear a uniform?
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is a uniformed service and, as such, uniforms are required. They should be worn correctly and with pride. Specific instructions on uniform wear (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) (e.g., frequency, type) are stated by the local uniform authority within your agency or program. The Uniform Handbook is available online on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System Web Site but consists of three separate files due to its size.
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What is the uniform allowance for new officers?
An officer called to active duty with the Commissioned Corps for the first time is entitled to a one-time uniform allowance of $250. This dollar amount will not cover all uniform expenses, but will allow you to purchase a basic uniform of some type. Every officer is required to own a Service Dress Blue Uniform (see Uniforms).
In addition to reviewing CCPM Pamphlet 61, "Uniform Handbook," new officers are recommended to attend the basic officer training course (BOTC) to gain an indepth knowledge of correct uniform wear, required grooming standards when in uniform, and uniformed service customs and courtesies.
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Is there a professional group within the Commissioned Corps that I may join?
Once on active duty, you may become involved with the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) associated with your professional category. The PACs advise the Surgeon General on matters of importance to your profession and to the Corps. Click for a list of PAC chairpersons. Once you become a commissioned officer, you are also strongly encouraged to join the Commissioned Officers Association, the only professional association specifically representing the Commissioned Corps. For membership information, call 301–731–9080.
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Is a mentoring program available for new Commissioned Corps officers?
All newly commissioned officers should contact their category-specific Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) (refer to the question about professional groups in the Commissioned Corps) for information about the mentoring program. For a list of PAC chairpersons, click the hyperlink to your profession listed on the homepage. If unable to establish contact with your PAC on the mentoring program, please contact the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations at 800–279–1605 for further assistance.
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Will I have to sign a contract stating that I will serve a specified number of years with the Commissioned Corps, as required by other uniformed services?
Certain special pay and/or bonus recipients are required to sign a contract to serve on active duty for a designated number of years. An official training contract must also be signed by officers who enter into long-term training, including the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program. For further information on special pay and/or bonuses, visit your professions category page.
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How does the Commissioned Corps differ from the military?
The health mission of the Commissioned Corps differs from that of the armed forces (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard). Unlike the military, the Commissioned Corps is an all-officer organization that offers controlled mobility. Officers in the Corps also are eligible for promotion based on different criteria than those used in the military system.
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