USPHS, That other uniformed service

Started by Holding Pattern, June 17, 2020, 06:23:27 PM

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Holding Pattern

I was diving into e-Services in my latest fit of insomnia and looking at the available drop-down menus in Characteristics and Military Branches, one of the options is for the USPHS.

https://usphs.gov/aboutus/

Today was the day I learned the Public Health Service has a commissioned non-military corps of uniformed volunteers who are untrained in the profession of arms.

And they've had it since 1871.

A comparison of ranks can be found here:

https://usphs.gov/docs/pdfs/uniform/Uniformed%20Service%20Rank%20Chart.pdf

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Paul Creed III

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Capt Thompson

One of the networks actually ran a piece about them at the beginning of the pandemic that was pretty interesting, if I can recall which one and find a link I'll post it.
Capt Matt Thompson
Deputy Commander for Cadets, Historian, Public Affairs Officer

Mitchell - 31 OCT 98 (#44670) Earhart - 1 OCT 00 (#11401)

Holding Pattern


TheSkyHornet

Technically speaking, the U.S. Public Health Service is not, in itself, a uniformed service. The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is the uniformed body within the PHS (where the Surgeon General Resides).

There are actually 8 U.S. uniformed services:
  • NOAA Commissioned Corps
  • U.S. Air Force
  • U.S. Army
  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
  • U.S. Marine Corps
  • U.S. Navy
  • U.S. Space Force

The PHS is not an armed service, at least not in the sense of Armed Forces. It's a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

All of the non-DOD entities use a naval rank structure.

CFToaster

Actually, sir., the PHS is under Health And Human Services, not Commerce.

If anyone has any particular questions, I served with the PHS as a member of a Disaster Medical Assistance Team. I'm in the process of onboarding again after a couple of years off.

The Commissioned Corps guys always stood out because we intermittent employees wore khaki BDU's, and they wore woodlands.

TheSkyHornet

I stand corrected.

I was thinking NOAA as I typed.  ;D

NIN

Our National Health Services Officer, Lt Col Janisko, is also Commander Janisko, USPHS. He's the Command Surgeon for the Corps of Engineers, interestingly enough.
Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
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The contents of this post are Copyright © 2007-2024 by NIN. All rights are reserved. Specific permission is given to quote this post here on CAP-Talk only.

Capt Thompson

The current Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, has only been a part of the PHS since his appointment in 2017, so it looks like maybe rank is awarded for position?
Capt Matt Thompson
Deputy Commander for Cadets, Historian, Public Affairs Officer

Mitchell - 31 OCT 98 (#44670) Earhart - 1 OCT 00 (#11401)

Eclipse

Correct - you get the Johnny Bravo suit when you get appointed.

"That Others May Zoom"

JC004

#10
Naming all the Uniformed Services was an impromptu quiz that Ned sprung on us WIWAC.

Eclipse

To be fair, it was harder then as each colony had their own.

"That Others May Zoom"

JC004

Quote from: Eclipse on June 18, 2020, 01:27:43 PMTo be fair, it was harder then as each colony had their own.

WHEN I WAS A CADET, PLUTO WAS A PLANET

THRAWN

Quote from: JC004 on June 19, 2020, 07:03:41 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 18, 2020, 01:27:43 PMTo be fair, it was harder then as each colony had their own.

WHEN I WAS A CADET, PLUTO WAS A PLANET

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NIN

Ok, guys, let's leave the kinoscopes at the door and get back to the topic at hand.
Darin Ninness, Col, CAP
I have no responsibilities whatsoever
I like to have Difficult Adult Conversations™
The contents of this post are Copyright © 2007-2024 by NIN. All rights are reserved. Specific permission is given to quote this post here on CAP-Talk only.

GroundHawg

The USPHS is an interesting service.
They have the authorization for Warrant Officers and can commission them at any time, yet never have.
They have had a Ready Reserve, but has never had the funding for it until just recently.
Service in the USPHS is considered active military service and receive the same benefits as the other better known branches.

I put a motion forth that my VFW hang a NOAA, USPHS, and Merchant Marine flags and received many complements on them once we did. We even had a USPHS member join up