Welcome to the U.S. Public Health Service!

Welcome to the U.S.

Public Health Service!

A publication of the Pharmacy Professional Advisory Committee

Useful Web Links:

http://www.usphs.gov

http://www.hhs.gov/pharmacy/main.html

http://dcp.psc.gov

Deployment

Prof. Organizations

The origins of the Public Health Service (PHS) can be traced to the passage of an act in 1798

that provided for the care and relief of sick and injured merchant seamen. Reorganization in

1870 converted the loose network of locally controlled hospitals into a centrally controlled

Marine Hospital Service, with its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The position of Supervising Surgeon (later Surgeon General) was cre-

ated to administer the Service, and John Maynard Woodworth was ap-

pointed as the first incumbent in 1871. He moved quickly to reform the

system and adopted a military model for his medical staff, instituting

examinations for applicants and putting his physicians in uniforms.

Woodworth created a cadre of mobile, career service physicians who

could be assigned as needed to the various marine hospitals. The uni-

formed services component of the Marine Hospital Service was formal-

ized as the Commissioned Corps by legislation enacted in 1889.

As we embark upon a new century, the PHS continues to fulfill its mission of

“protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the Nation.” It has grown from

a small collection of marine hospitals to the largest and most diverse public health program in

the world.

Introduction to the USPHS

PHS Mission:

“Protecting,

promoting, and

advancing the health

and safety of the

Nation.”

Highlights:

Origins of the PHS 1

Access to bases,

benefits

Travel Opportunities 3

Moving,

Military Courtesy

Special Pay 5

Additional Benefits 6

Retirement Planning 7

Deployment 8

“America’s Health Responders”

USPHS then….and now

Page 2

Welcome to the U.S. Public Health Service!

Military Benefits

There are many military benefits available to PHS Commis-

sioned Corps officers. A brief listing of some of the more

common benefits are listed below. Details of the benefits are

available in the following United States Public Health Service

web site in the Benefits tab: http://www.usphs.gov

The Base and Post Exchanges (BX/PX) – (http://www.navy-

nex.com ) A valid identification card is required to purchase

merchandise and may be required for entry when not in uni-

form. There are several types of stores in this system includ-

ing main exchanges, which are similar to department stores,

auto services, uniform shops and miscellaneous stores including tailor/

laundry, optical, flower, and fast food.

Commissary – Commissaries are the supermarkets at military installations. At many commissaries, a

valid ID card is required for entry. Both active duty and dependents may shop at the commissary.

Typically, commissaries are crowded on military paydays, the 1st and 15th of every month, and week-

ends. In this system, baggers work for tips only. For more information, visit: http://www.commissaries.com.

Health/Medical Care – Medical care is one of the most important benefits that PHS officers and their

dependents will use during their careers. When using a Uniformed Services Military Treatment Facility

(USMTF), it is expected that the officer be in uniform. If you are stationed close to a military hospital/

clinic, you are required to use that facility. The Medical Affairs Branch (MAB) may authorize to pay

for civilian medical services if an officer is not near a USMTF or if the USMTF does not provide the

services needed. You may contact the MAB directly for further information on Monday through Fri-

day, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST at 1-800-368-2777, select option #2. You may also contact one of TRI-

CARE Service Centers (TSC). The TSCs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You must contact

the TSC within the region in which you are located. North Region 877-874-2273, South Region 800-

444-5445, West Region 888-874-9378.

TRICARE – (http://www.tricare.osd.mil/ ) The Military Health System is the primary source of health

care for active-duty PHS officers. The TRICARE system has other options for active-duty family mem-

bers, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Dental Care – Dental care is one of the benefits that are available to PHS officers and their depend-

ents. Active duty officers may enroll through the USPHS or a military treatment facility. Dependents

may enroll through the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP). The TDP is administered by United Con-

cordia. For more information on dependent eligibility and enrollment, you may contact the TDP at 1-

800-866-8499 or visit their website at http://www.tricare.mil/dental/TDP_Eligibility.cfm.

Experience the adventure of traveling

on military aircraft!

Useful Travel Web Links:

http://www.afvclub.com

http://www.herosalute.com/cavatx/index.html

http://www.pepperd.com

https://www.navy-lodge.com/

Travel Opportunities

Service Clubs – The most frequently used club is the Officers‟ Club at

military bases. You are also eligible to visit United Service Organization

(USO) locations. USO is a charitable corporation providing morale, wel-

fare, and recreation services to uniformed military personnel. Many have

“officer clubs” in airports that provide free services to officers on work

related or personal travel (http://www.uso.org ).

Air Mobility Command (AMC) Flights – This is the ability to travel on

military flights on space available (Space-A) basis. These flights are

typically extremely inexpensive ($15-30 each way, both domestically

and abroad), and usually fly in and out of military bases. Officers must

be on official leave or retired status to be eligible for a space on the

flight. Information on Space-A travel can be found online or at commis-

saries/uniform stores on base. Many flights to Europe leave from the

Washington, D.C. metro area. For more information, visit:

http://www.pepperd.com.

Rűdesheim, Germany

Near Ramstein Air Base

Lodging Facilities – Almost all military installations have some form of

temporary lodging on base, which is available as space allows and ex-

tremely inexpensive. Bachelor Officers‟ Quarters (BOQ) and Visiting

Officers‟ Quarters (VOQ) vary widely ranging from simple rooms with

shared bath to multi-room suites. Temporary military lodging (TML)

quarters are designed for the military family. Some useful numbers to

identify these facilities are:

Air Force 1-888-AFLODGE (1-888-235-6343)

Army 1-800-GO-ARMY-1 (1-800-462-7691)

Marine Corps http://www.usmc-mccs.org/lodging/index.cfm

Navy 1-800-NAVY-INN (628-9466)

Coast Guard http://www.uscg.mil/mwr/Cottages/RecreationCottages.htm

Recreational Facilities – Most military installations have a variety of rec-

reational facilities available. These include theaters, swimming pools,

bowling lanes, sports equipment rentals, youth centers, and information/

ticket offices. Several installations also have wilderness camps, water-

front sites, and other vacation-type sites. Check your closest base‟s web-

site for details.

Reduced-price tickets may be obtained at most military installations

through the Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office for local at-

tractions, movies and many well-known theme parks (i.e. Disney World,

Sea World, Universal Studios).

Discounts - Many hotels, car

rental companies, and airlines

offer discounted rates to mem-

bers of the Uniformed Services

and their families while travel-

ing with or without orders and

are often referred to as the cur-

rent “Military” or

“Government” rates.

Armed Forces Vacation Club

(AFVC) - AFVC is a "Space

Available" program that offers

excess condominium time-

shares at resorts around the

world for only $329.00 per

unit, per week. All Uniformed

Services members and their

adult dependents are eligible to

use this program. For more

information, visit their website

at http://afvclub.com/

search.asp

Don’t miss out on

discounts!

Page 3

Welcome to the U.S. Public Health Service!

Page 4

Are you getting ready to move? When

accepting your first assignment or when

accepting a new assignment later, you

may have a geographic permanent change

of station (PCS) move. There are many

great resources to help you get moved and

settled in. PCS America is a relocation

network guide of military installations all

over the world for the active as well as the

reserve community. The website address

is http://www.pcsamerica.net, and is a

great resource guide for transitioning to a

new area with such helpful tips as lodg-

ing, schools and even weather. Another

resource that provides worldwide service

is a commercial realtor such as Remax.

You can go to their website at http://

www.remax.com for more information. If

you are moving to the Washington, DC

Metropolitan area, the main housing assis-

tance office is 1-800-210-0139, and their

website is http://www.ndw.navy.mil .

Your agency may be paying for your

move, and so you may collaborate with

them to ship your household goods to

your new duty station. For information

concerning the shipment of household

goods, contact your Agency Liaison. You

will need to download and complete form

PHS-4013-1, which can be found at http://

dcp.psc.gov/cc_forms.asp

Be sure to check with your duty organiza-

tion to determine if relocation expenses

will be paid.

Moving Information

Military Courtesy

Commissioned Officers of the United States Public Health

Service (USPHS) are required to render proper military

courtesy under USPHS Personnel Instruction 2, Subchapter

CC26.1, "Uniformed Services Courtesies." Uniformed ser-

vices courtesies are extension of common customs of cour-

tesy in civilian life. When in uniform, and serving with uni-

formed service personnel of other federal agencies, or

when visiting a military installation, USPHS Officers are

required to conform to the rules of courtesy as practiced by

that service. Except for saluting, the rules of military cour-

tesy should also be observed when out of uniform.

Commissioned officers are vested with a legal office and

carry that office with them. Commissioned officers are ap-

pointed by, or under the authority of, the President with

confirmation by the U.S. Senate, and serve indefinitely at

the pleasure of the President. Consequently, a

"commissioned" officer is a direct representative of the

President, and as such, can give verbal or written orders to

subordinates which have the force of federal law. Given

this status and responsibility, a commissioned officer, espe-

cially in uniform, must be ever wary of his/her actions and

comments when in public, and should act with proper de-

corum at all times. Military courtesy is a required standard

of behavior among all U.S. commissioned officers and uni-

formed military personnel. Service members should ensure

that proper military courtesy is rendered to members of all

U.S. uniformed services, and to uniformed military person-

nel of U.S. allied nations. For detailed information on

military courtesy and on-base etiquette, please go to:

http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM26_1_2.pdf

Welcome to the U.S. Public Health Service!

Page 5

The most up-to-date source of information regarding

bonuses and special pays for all officers is through the

Electronic Commissioned Corps Issuance System

(eCCIS). This web site may be accessed via http://

dcp.psc.gov/eccis/ . As a pharmacy officer in the

USPHS, you are eligible for bonuses and special pays.

Special pays for pharmacy officers include Pharma-

cist Special Pay (PSP) and Board Certified Pay

(BCP).

The PSP is a monthly pay that is available to all phar-

macy officers As of February 21st, 2008, the annual

PSP rate for pharmacy officers in the pay grades O-1

through O-6 is $15,000.

Pharmacy officers serving in pay grades above O-6 are

not eligible for PSP. Pharmacists receive these annual

payments disbursed monthly with other pays.

Board Certified Pay (BCP)

Pharmacists are also eligible for non-physician board

certification special pay (NPBCP). For the purposes of

pay, there are currently five boards recognized by the

USPHS. The American Pharmacists Association

(APhA) sponsored board, administered by the Ameri-

can Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties recognizes

the following specialty certifications:

1. Nuclear Pharmacy (BCNP)

2. Pharmacotherapy (BCPS)

3. Nutrition Support Pharmacy Practice (BCNSP)

4. Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP)

5. Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP)

Non-physician board certification special pay rates

for pharmacists are based on the CSED date. Those

pharmacists possessing certifications in more than

one specialty are only eligible for one BCP. Cur-

rently, the annual NPBCP rates for pharmacy offi-

cers are:

Less than 10 years: $2,000

At least 10 but less than 12 years $2,500

At least 12 but less than 14 years $3,000

At least 14 but less than 18 years $4,000

At least 18 years $5,000

These annual payments are disbursed monthly with

other pays.

Eligible pharmacists must proactively provide

documentation in support of their certification.

Upon initial call to active duty or a change in certi-

fication status, the USPHS Compensation Branch

should be contacted by calling 301-594-2963.

Accession Bonus

Currently, the USPHS is offering an AB of $30,000

in exchange for a commitment to remain on active

duty as a PHS pharmacist for a period of not less

than four years. There are limitations on eligibility

requirements and consequences for not fulfilling the

contract. The details of this program are further de-

scribed in the eCCIS by visiting http://dcp.psc.gov/

eccis/.

The latest information on special pays is available

using the following hyperlink: http://dcp.psc.gov/

eccis/documents/CCPM22_2_8.pdf .

Bonuses and Special Pays

Page 6

Welcome to the U.S. Public Health Service!

Other Benefits

Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) -

This is a program of low cost group life insurance

for servicemembers on active duty, ready reservists,

members of the Commissioned Corps of the Na-

tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and

the Public Health Service, cadets and midshipmen of

the four service academies, and members of the Re-

serve Officer Training Corps. Servicemembers with

SGLI coverage have two options available to them

upon release from service. They can convert their

full-time SGLI coverage to term insurance under the

Veterans' Group Life Insurance program or convert

to a permanent plan of insurance with one of the par-

ticipating commercial insurance companies. http://

www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/SGLI/SGLI.htm

The Navy Mutual Aid Association’s (NMAA) In-

surance Program

This is a competitive and cheaper option than

(SGLI). For example, this year, SGLI lowered its

rates to become competitive with NMAA‟s rates.

NMAA responded by cutting their low rates even

lower. Also, it‟s important to remember that SGLI

benefits end when an officer separates from service.

That is not the case with NMAA.

Coverage SGLI Premium NMAA Premium

$150,000 $10.50 $9.00

$250,000 $17.50 $13.00

$400,000 $28.00 $19.00

$800,000 n/a $27.00

Note: You can carry both SGLI and NMAA policies.

NMAA also allows riders for spouses and children

that are competitive. For example, a $100,000 rider

for a spouse would cost $4.00 a month. NMAA also

generates small annual refunds. For information,

visit http://navymutual.org.

You can compare the two life insurance options, go

to http://navymutual.org/products/index.html. You

can review the SGLI life insurance plan by going to

http://dcp.psc.gov, clicking on “Payroll Issues” then

SGLI Family Coverage Information. You have to

make this decision early-while you are filling out

your initial paperwork, so decide fast!!

GI Bill/Educational benefits - Upon commission-

ing, you may select a one year $100 a month

withdrawal from your paycheck to qualify for the

GI Bill for education benefits. Depending on

whether you sign up for a 2 year or 3 year commit-

ment before using your benefits, you can receive up

to $1,000 a month for educational benefits. To see

the benefits rates for a three-year or more commit-

ment versus a two-year commitment, go to http://

www.gibill.va.gov/

You can only opt for the GI Bill once - when you

are filling out your initial paperwork! Many people

regret not signing up, so think about it carefully be-

fore declining.

Page 7

Soldier’s and Sailor’s Civil Relief Act (SSCRA) - In 1940, Congress passed the SSCRA to provide

protections for uniformed service members. The PHS has been covered by the SSCRA since 22 April 1976.

The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (SCRA) signed into law by President Bush on 19 December 2003

expanded and improved the SSCRA. Some key provisions of the Act are listed in this section. If you are on

active duty, the SCRA guarantees that your state residency will not change just because of your military or-

ders – even if you buy a house in the state of your new duty station, register your car there, or obtain a new

state driver‟s license. This means that you will continue to pay state taxes ONLY to your home state,

UNLESS you change state residency voluntarily. The primary means of changing state residency voluntar-

ily is by voting in a new state or changing tax withholding to a new state.

United Services Automobile Association (USAA) – The USAA is a finan-

cial institution created specifically to serve uniformed service members and

their families. They offer competitive rates for car insurance, homeowner‟s

and renter‟s insurance, and mortgage loans. You may also invest through the

USAA and open „no-cost‟ checking and savings accounts through them. An

attractive loan option for many junior officers (especially first-time buyers)

is the VA loan, which is a type of mortgage option through the USAA

(exclusive to uniformed service officers and their families). There is no pri-

vate mortgage insurance (PMI) required or down payment (for loans <

$240,000). In addition, closing costs are generally lower than some mort-

gage plans You have to become a member first to access their website, pur-

chase insurance, acquire a home loanContact information for one of USAA‟s

many services include: Banking services (investing, checking, savings) Insurance, & Mortgage Services

Visit: http://www.usaa.com

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

The Thrift Savings Plan is a tax-deferred savings

plan, meaning it is taken from your salary before it is

taxed (which lowers your taxable income) and taxes

are paid upon withdrawal of the money out of the ac-

count. There is a TSP for civilian as well as uni-

formed service officers, but the plans are very differ-

ent. The civilian account is more like a 401K, where

a percentage of contributions are matched by the em-

ploying agency. In the uniformed services account, the contributions are not

matched, but they are tax deferred. This is not the sole retirement option for offi-

cers. The uniformed services also offer a military retirement plan, which provides

a method of adding to the „nest egg‟ that a person builds over their career. Also, you can borrow from your

TSP account under certain conditions. To find out more about how to sign up and to get more information,

visit the TSP website at http://www.tsp.gov/ .

Other Benefits (continued)

Saving

for

Retirement

Welcome to the U.S. Public Health Service!

Page 8

Training, Readiness, and Deployment

In order to be promoted, you must

meet readiness standards for deploy-

ment as defined by the Office of

Force Readiness and Deployment

(OFRD) Manual Circular 377 (links

below). Deployment generally con-

sists of a two week tour in response

to a federal disaster. Typically, de-

ployments have been in response to

hurricanes and other natural disas-

ters. Examples of deployments can

be found on the OFRD website at

http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/. There are

also numbers of excellent emer-

gency/disaster response courses of-

fered by the OFRD, some of which

may be free for your agency (link

below). It is highly encouraged that

you continue to acquire new knowl-

edge that will make you even more

valuable to the Corps. The last link

below is for the Commissioned Offi-

cers Training Academy (COTA),

which offers an introductory “Basic

Officer Training Course (BOTC)”

designed specifically for PHS offi-

cers and a follow-on “Independent

Officer Training Course” (IOTC)

with more in depth modules.

If you successfully com-

plete both the BOTC and

IOTC (and we highly en-

courage you to), you will

earn the PHS Training rib-

bon!

Current Commissioned

Corps Readiness Standards – In-

formation on readiness standards

can be found on the Commissioned

Corps Management Information

System (CCMIS) website at http://

dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/Man_circ_377.pdf.

Please also access the following

link for an extension to Manual Cir-

cular 377: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/

documents/PPM07_001.pdf .

Office of Force Readiness and

Deployment (OFRD) – The OFRD

website maybe accessed at http://

oep.osophs.dhhs.gov/ccrf/. There

are a number of excellent training

courses (many free to the officer

and his/her agency) at the following

website: http://oep.osophs.dhhs.gov/ccrf/

training.htm .

Commissioned Officers Train-

ing Academy (COTA) – The

BOTC is not currently required

for commissioned officers; in

the future, it may be required

before commissioning and re-

porting for duty. The goal of

the BOTC is to familiarize PHS

officers with the USPHS Com-

missioned Corps history and

mission, proper uniform wear,

military customs and courtesies,

benefits, etc. Additional infor-

mation can be found on the fol-

lowing website: http://

dcp.psc.gov/Training.asp .

Legal Services Benefits – PHS officers are entitled to

certain legal benefits like the creation of “Simple

Wills” and “Powers of Attorney.” These services are

provided by the legal staff of the

Judge Advocate General‟s (JAG)

office.

Tax Benefits – For more information see

the Servicemember's Civil Relief Act

(SCRA) at

http://www.military.com/Resources/

ResourcesContent/0,13964,31042,00.html .