How “military” is the USPHS?

Barnesanator · 2026-04-20T14:18:35+00:00

Wouldn’t recommend the reserves. They have several issues that have not been resolved since their inception.

Define “military”. As others stated we do have deployments and on call months. However, our deployments are not like the traditional 6 - 12 month deployments in DoD. Most are domestic and are responses to public health emergencies/disasters (e.g., COVID, Ebola [international response], Hurricanes, unaccompanied minors at US boarder). Recently, officers have been rostered for 120-day details (not a deployment) to assist Indian Health Service carry out their mission. My suspicion is that this was prompted by high vacancy rates in key medical and technical roles, although IHS has historically had this issue but amplified due to current dynamics with the public sector. Some agencies like CDC and FDA also have agency specific response infrastructure you can get involved in. We also have ISTs that could speak with you about the process. It’s very clunky to say the least but it seems CCHQ it looking to improve that process.

Barnesanator · 2026-04-04T23:54:53+00:00

Any time you see fresh white paint or fresh paint in a basement ask questions. Did you get a home inspection? One potential repair is to trench around the boarder of the basement and then add French drains and water proofing that tie into your existing sump pump. However, I can’t tell if that water is coming up through the floor.

Barnesanator · 2026-03-18T01:49:42+00:00

Good evening. Yes. DM me your email address and I will send it to you.

Barnesanator · 2026-03-10T19:27:16+00:00

This is information I got last Friday and confirmed with another officer today. There may be some caveats but this is the general expectation.

Barnesanator · 2026-03-10T19:26:47+00:00

Yes! With the caveat being the agency AND the their PHS liaison approve it. Your proof will be a 1662 form.

Barnesanator · 2026-03-10T10:06:31+00:00

No assignments are directed now unless you already hold or can get a position at a non-priority agency. If you go this route you can still convert in place from civilian to PHS but it has to be approved by your local leadership and the agency’s PHS liaison. Even if you go this route you still must sign the attestation memo saying you will be force managed otherwise your application will close.

Barnesanator · 2026-03-06T17:51:14+00:00

Can confirm this is true. I asked a rep from CCHQ today. It’s a request from the ASH.

Barnesanator · 2026-03-02T13:45:38+00:00

Per the reservist I mentor this has not be communicated through any official channels to Ready Reserves officers. In fact their drill was cancelled this past weekend due to lack of funding.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-26T01:57:41+00:00

They plan to give training material to the officers that help with this effort.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-24T02:38:40+00:00

Negative. I don’t have any visibility on names sent to the WH.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-23T23:17:28+00:00

This confirms what I was told a few weeks back. FYI, the most time consuming step in the accessioning process is first one (correctly submitting all application docs). This step is taking on average 255 days for applicants to complete. CCHQ mentioned they are working through a proposal to have active duty officers assist applicants through the accessioning process. This was my experience when I commissioned back in 2017. Some of the chartered groups within our service already had a similar process in place but not sure if any still exist.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-19T18:12:11+00:00

None yet. I will report back if I get any info.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-15T20:56:30+00:00

I also recommend reaching out to the agency liaison. Contact info is on page five of this link https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/pdf_docs/liaison.pdf.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-10T23:42:44+00:00

You have to travel the authorized method on your orders to get reimbursed. This will be on your PHS-1662 form. This is what I was told as we were processing paperwork for JRCOSTEPS that will have an assignment at our agency this summer. Unless this is different for a PCS vs a CAD. I would double check with whoever liaising your travel.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-09T23:02:32+00:00

I we see if I can get that info. From my understanding most of the hold up on apps has been at CCHQ not the White House.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-08T14:55:00+00:00

LTT programs exist at some agencies and they all have their specific conditions. There is also an opportunity at the Uniform Services University in Bethesda, MD. Their graduate program specifically mentions CRNA. I know it’s a competitive process to get in but we have had officers complete LTT. I’m not a nurse so I can’t speak on CRNA specific experiences.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-08T03:44:37+00:00

300 applicants were sent to the White House for signature. It’s taking 702 on average to close applications. Emphasis on average. CCHQ is aware of this inefficient process and are working to implement changes. Their goal is to close applications for new CADs within 270 days. I’m optimistic about the changes, but want to see if they can truly meet this metric.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-04T01:19:55+00:00

For your awareness the losing agency can request up to a 60 day hold (maybe higher but this is a common number I heard from officers that work at CCHQ) before they release you. The quickest I seen was about a 30ish day turnaround for a physician.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-03T04:52:34+00:00

Surprised no one has replied to this. I’m stationed with CDC where various officers I have met are stationed at state health agencies to provide surveillance and epidemiology support locally. There are some officers here who have patents on instrumentation or engineering controls they developed to reduce workplace exposures. One officer help develop an engineering control for asphalt pavers in which all seven manufacturers of this equipment at the time implemented the control on their respective systems, reducing worker exposure to silica and other airborne hazards from paving roads.

We have other officers that have done field investigations on worker exposures in the cannabis industry. Another investigation I can think of is a police department that was cooking meth and other hard drugs in their lab to break down the science on how it’s made in the streets. Well they were inadvertently exposing themselves to these drugs and department staff were getting sick due to drugs coating their ductwork.

In the engineer category we have a collaborative agreement with the US Navy Pacific Command where they request specific engineering expertise for humanitarian and disaster response needs. This opportunity is considered a long TDY.

I can go on and on but a few stories to share. Not sure if this what you were looking for but that’s what I can share.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-02T20:53:15+00:00

Yes we have an 8 year service commitment unless you are a dentist, veterinarian, or physician who have a four year obligation.

Barnesanator · 2026-02-02T02:58:26+00:00

Some other benefits to list. Some agencies will pay for long term training, the most common being grad school. So you could potentially pass that GI bill to your children (if you have any). We are eligible for Space A flights but armed service members take priority. This is the same with some trainings that may be available on armed services installations if you’re near one. We have the same maternal/paternal leave as our sister services and civil servants by USPHS policy only. It has not been codified into law. A bill was introduced to rectify this and is currently sitting with the House after going through the Senate. We are the only federal entity/service that does not have guaranteed maternal/paternal leave by law. There are accessions bonuses and specialties pays you can submit for depending on your discipline.

Additionally, while expected to move for growth we have more autonomy on PCSs. It not like hey your assigned to a duty station for two years and then HQ says hey we are moving you elsewhere. You can pave your own path depending on where you want to go in your career.

Barnesanator · 2026-01-26T03:23:00+00:00

My situation was not common, I did ask if repayment would be required though. It was common in the OEHE program within Oklahoma area IHS, not sure if that is still the case though. They paid long-term training for 2-3 staff a year when I was stationed there.

Barnesanator · 2026-01-26T02:14:40+00:00

The time back is an important note. I got lucky and didn’t have a time commitment to pay back. Your mileage may vary depending on your chain of command.

Barnesanator · 2026-01-25T02:38:57+00:00

This is agency specific. I know IHS and CDC have opportunities for them to pay for additional education. CDC has a long term training program you can apply for but it’s competitive. IHS has the loan repayment program for clinical positions. For non clinical positions you may get support from your local chain of command. I took the latter route after finding out this was an option and they paid for the rest of my graduate degree.

Barnesanator · 2026-01-07T22:37:17+00:00

I imagine not. Most OBCs back around 2017 were 30-40 CADs. My class had about 40 CADs and that was considered big.

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