SCIENTIST PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Office of the Surgeon General

United States Public Health Service

           

Minutes of 27 February 2003 Meeting Number 90

 

I.  LOCATION/DATE/TIME

Parklawn Building, Surgeon General's Conference Room 18-57

1300 HOURS

 

II.  ATTENDANCE

 

A.  MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

 

CAPT	Lireka Joseph	FDA (CPO)
CDR	Joseph Despins	FDA Chairperson
CDR	Douglas Thoroughman	CDC, Vice-Chairperson
LCDR	Tom Hendricks	FDA   (Recording Secretary)
LCDR	John Mosely Hayes	CDC, Treasurer
CAPT	Bryan Jones	OS/OPHS
CDR	Pamela Ching	CDC
CDR	Jon Daugherty	FDA
CDR	Charles "Bo" Kimsey	CDC
CDR	Kevin McGuinness	DIHS
CDR	Clement Welsh	CDC
CDR	Richard Troiano	NIH
LCDR	Daphne Moffett	ATSDR
LCDR	Artensie Flowers	EPA

 

B.  GUESTS ATTENDING

 

CDR		Laila Ali		FDA
CDR		Doris Ravenell-Brown		FDA
LCDR		Nelson Adekoya		CDC
	LCDR		Mark Seaton		EPA
LCDR		Darin Weber		FDA
LCDR		Mark Methner		CDC
LT		Tim Nelle		FDA
LT		Beth Tohill		CDC

 

C.  MEMBERS EXCUSED OR ABSENT

 

CDR	Angela González Willis	SAMHSA (Past Chairperson)
LCDR	Boris Aponte	SAMHSA
LCDR	John Eckert	FDA
LCDR	Kathleen McDuffie	CDC
Dr.	Dalton Paxman	OS/OPHS

 

 

III.  STANDARD AGENDA ITEMS AND REPORTS

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

 

CDR Joseph Despins called the meeting to order at 1303 hours.

 

B.  GREETINGS FROM THE CHAIR

 

A description of CAPT Derek E. Dunn’s Memorial Service on February 22, 2003 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center – Memorial Chapel was given.  The ceremony and the site were both excellent.  The following groups participated: the Surgeon General’s Honor Guard, the Chamber Ensemble, the Wind Ensemble, and the Choral Ensemble.  Special thanks should be given to the Memorial Program Committee: CAPT Vivian Chen, CAPT Delores Hunter, CAPT Lireka Joseph, CAPT Richard Vause, CAPT (Ret) John J. Bartko, CDR Laila Ali, CDR Joseph Despins, CDR Sheets, LCDR Lucienne Nelson, and LCDR Darin Weber.

 

Itemized list of expenditures incurred for the CAPT Derek Dunn Memorial Service

 

Expenditure	Total
Printing and folding of programs	$426.76
Flowers	$  54.75
Transcription and transposition of music Bach Largo, Double Concerto in D minor from violin to cello	$150.00
Videotaping service (2 hours)	$150.00
Books of Remembrance (4 books given to CAPT Dunn's family during the service)	about $100.00 (exact dollar amount to follow)

 

DC-COA has obligated some funds for this event.  A motion was made for the SciPAC to pay for the printing and flowers, and for the SciPAC to ask DC-COA to pay other costs.   The motion was approved.  CAPT (Ret) Bartko will be given receipts to take to the DC-COA.

 

CDR Despins encouraged all who are able to do so to join the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force.

 

C.  REPORT FROM THE CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICER

 

CAPT Joseph is not available on Wednesday Afternoons before the SciPAC Meeting.

 

1.  Please make sure your contact information is current with Division of Commissioned Personnel.  An instruction was sent by DCP on the DCP listserv on the steps for how to make changes to your contact record on the DCP web site.

 

2.  The CC needs to have its Officers 70% CCRF compliant by 2005.  There is a proposal to add points to Officer’s promotions if they are compliant.  

 

3.  There is a new Therapist CPO.  The new Therapist CPO is CAPT Charles McGarvey, and he is stationed at the Clinical Center, NIH; he replaces CAPT Charlotte Richards in this position.

 

4.  RADM Davidson is examining/reviewing MOU between the CC and Navy, Army, and the Homeland Security.

 

5.  RADM Davidson is retiring effective April 1, 2003.

 

6.  New Corporate Culture (condensed from Flag Officer Meeting)

 

-Officers need to be visible, and in uniform.

-Commissioned Corps is mission driven (i.e., we are USPHS Officers first and Scientist Officers second).

 

-We should use our Commissioned Corps titles on writings we write and at meetings, etc.
-The following, written by RADM Vanderwagen, summarizes the Flag Officer Meeting with VADM Carmona:

The following is a brief report on a February 25, 2003, meeting the Surgeon General had with all the Flag officers.  "The meeting was held at the National Library of Medicine and lasted approximately 90 minutes.  VADM Carmona was very energetic in his remarks to the group and focused primarily on the development of leadership for the Corps of the future.  His primary message was that senior leaders need to act in ways which will strengthen the skills and focus of the officer corps, especially younger officers who will comprise the leadership of the future.  This started with a commitment to proudly and publicly represent the Corps and the mission on a regular basis.  He underscored the need to reach out and mentor younger officers, encouraging their skills development I public health and leadership.  He highlighted the public health mission and our responsibility to protect and preserve the health of the Nation.

 

VADM Carmona noted that the President and the Secretary want the Commissioned Corps to have parity with other uniform services, not only as regards pay and benefits, but more importantly in the strengthening of our ability to serve the Nation and meet the mission demands.  The President has given life to that commitment by stating his desire to have increased capability in preparedness and deployment capability among the officers in the Commissioned Corps.  He has specifically called for 30% of Corps to be CCRF enrolled at the end of the FY2003, 50% by the end of FY2004, and 70% by the end of FY2005.  This is a significant challenge and call to action for us all."  This is a challenge for our category along with the Medical category as we are each at the lowest level of enrollees  of only 13% in CCRF.  There are probably numerous issues to discuss in order for us to meet the challenge that the President has ordered.  I think we can meet the challenge and continue to provide the service to the Nation that drew us to the Commissioned Corps.

 

"The Surgeon General also noted the need for a career development process that must be implemented if we are to nurture and strengthen those who make the commitment so serve.  The specific instruments for that development process have not been formalized, many approaches have been discussed and some most frequently voiced have included advanced degree training, a public health academy, and more formal recognition of such investments on the part of individual officers in the promotion process.  VADM Carmona called upon Flag officers to provide leadership in their organizational units for creating a changed culture which would encourage and facilitate such institutional supports for officer development as these.

 

He noted that this will require a change in corporate culture in many of the DHHS elements, but these can be most positive and can enhance the functioning of the operational units.  He closed with the thought that there is no higher mission than the protection of health and we must devote more thought to how we can do this better."

 

Additional comments from CAPT Joseph: The message is clear, for our category, and others, we are being asked to assume leadership today and train the leaders of tomorrow.  If we do not, than others will fill the void.  As Scientists we have diverse skills, knowledge, and talents that can be used in many arenas to accomplish the mission.  It is essential in this time of change and possibility, that our officers become involved in the Commissioned Corps to help shape the future of not just the Corps but the protection of the public health. I think we must get in the game…

 

 

7.  The Acting Assistant Secretary of Health now spends most of his time in DC.

 

8.  First interviews for Veterinary CPO are taking place now.

 

9.  The Commissioned Corp is the sponsor for this years AMSUS Annual meeting on November 16 – 21, 2003 at San Antonio Texas.  The Surgeon General strongly recommends that we attend this event if possible.  109th AMSUS Annual Meeting Preliminary Program "Partnerships in Preparedness, Prevention, and Public Health: Protecting the Nation"

 

Please see web site: http://www.amsus.org/

 

10.  The Appointment Standards draft is ready for Surgeon General’s signature.

 

11.  "Dentistry's Role in Responding to Bioterrorism and Other Catastrophic Events".  A first-ever conference dedicated to outlining Dentistry's response to bioterrorism and other threats to the security of the United States.  This important and timely gathering is jointly sponsored by the United States Public Health Service and the American Dental Association.

 

WHEN:  MARCH 27 - 28, 2003   Thursday & Friday

 

WHERE:  RENAISSANCE WASHINGTON DC HOTEL

999 9th Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

202-898-9000 or 800-HOTELS-1

Internet: http://www.renaissancehotels.com/WASRB

 

KEYNOTE  SPEAKERS: 

 

VADM Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.

Surgeon General of the United States

U.S. Public Health Service

 

George H. Alexander, M.D.

Director for Medical and Public Health Security

White House Office of Homeland Security

 

Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health

 

RADM Kenneth Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H.

Deputy Surgeon General

U.S. Public Health Service

 

Michael C. Alfano, D.M.D., Ph.D.

Dean

New York University, College of Dentistry

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION & ONLINE REGISTRATION:  Visit the ADA website: www.ada.org

1.  In the text under "Dental Professionals," click on "meetings and events." [You do NOT have to be an ADA member to access this].

2.  In the blue box "Featured Content," click on the top heading, "Dentistry's Response to Bioterrorism and Other Catastrophic Events."

3.  You may now access links to registration, hotel reservations, the Conference brochure and other information.

Or for more information, call Dr. Donald Collins at the ADA:  312-440-2895; email at collinsd@ada.org.

 

D.  OLD BUSINESS

 

1.  REPORT FROM THE TREASURER (LCDR JOHN MOSELY HAYES)

 

The treasury has a balance of $2,115.11 as of December.  The Music Ensemble account balance is $2,256.47.  The Music Ensemble account has been moved is no longer held at the Henry Jackson Foundation.

 

LCDR Hayes request that SciPAC members think about fund raising activity ideas.  Please email your responses to jmhayes@adph.state.al.us.

 

2.   COA---SCIENTIST SESSION (LCDR DAPHNE MOFFETT)

 

The following scientists have graciously volunteered to present their work at the Scientists Category Day (June 17th) at the 2003 COA meeting in Arizona.  In addition, our category will be partnering with the HSO Category in the afternoon session.  They will join us for at least one presentation.

 

Dr. Merritt "Chip" Schreiber, Ph.D., Program Manager, Terrorism/Disaster Branch

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine

 

Dr. Schreiber a child psychologist in the inactive reserve corps.  He was a costep years ago and belongs to a DMAT in Orange County, CA and the OER facilitated his re-commission in the inactive reserve to support the NDMS and his DMAT (he is on the Commissioned resource on my CA-1 team).  He serves as program manager for new federal initiative on Children's Mental Health and terrorism in the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, co located at UCLA and Duke.

 

Dr. Bill Hogan, Ph.D., Center for Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh

www.health.pitt.edu/rods

 

Emphasize of Dr. Hogan’s presentation:

 

·        Mission of the program (The mission of the RODS Laboratory is to investigate methods for the real-time detection and assessment of outbreaks of disease, either naturally occurring or resulting from bioterrorism, using information technology).

·        Why such an approach to disease surveillance is needed.

·        The advantages of this approach over old fashioned epidemiology.

·        Compatibility of the RODS (real-time outbreak and disease surveillance) approach with other national epi approaches

 

CDR Deborah Levy, Ph.D., M.P.H., CDC

 

CDR will present activities related to the assessment of infectious waterborne diseases, prevention and control.  Her division works with state health departments as well as state environmental departments, and also with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), academic institutions, and the water industry.

 

LCDR John Mosley Hayes, Ph.D., and CDR Douglas Thoroughman, Ph.D. of CDC

 

CDR Hayes and CDR Thoroughman will discuss the overall program which has stationed them at the state health departments and their roles/projects at those departments.

 

CAPT Ralph O'Connor, Ph.D., ATSDR

 

CAPT O'Connor will discuss effective communication of complex scientific public health information to communities.

 

LCDR Kathleen McDuffie, Ph.D., CDC

 

LCDR McDuffie will discuss the BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System).

 

3.  SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS

 

Visibility Subcommittee (LCDR Boris Aponte)

 

Scientist Category Poster project (CAPT Susanne Caviness)

 

No report

 

DC-COA Science Fair Judging (LCDR Thomas Hendricks)

 

A total of 38 Officers have volunteered to participate in the 12 DC/Maryland/Virginia Fairs.

 

Officers in all categories have the training necessary to serve as judges for this Special Award for "Best of Category - Medicine and Health."  Science Fair entries can range from cancer surveys to state-of-the-art research (e.g., at NIH or NIST) to environmental impact studies to behavioral assessments.

 

Please wear your Service Dress Blue uniform.  You will be interacting with students, teachers, parents, other uniformed service members, and possibly the press. 

 

We can still need volunteers for the following fairs:

 

March 15, 2003

 

Fairfax County Public Schools Regional Science & Engineering Fair @ at Robinson Secondary School

 

Northern Virginia Regional Science & Engineering Fair @ Wakefield High School

 

Morgan State University Science Fair

 

Baltimore County/Towson Science Fair

 

Prince William - Manassas Regional Science Fair

 

March 20, 2003

 

Loudoun County Regional Science Fair

 

March 21, 2003

 

Western MD Science Expo 2002 @ Frostburg State University

 

March 22, 2003

 

Frederick County Science and Engineering Fair

 

April 5, 2003

 

Prince George's Area Science Fair @ Prince George's Community College

 

Rules (LCDR Daphne Moffett)

 

No report from the Rules Subcommittee. 

 

Mentoring Subcommittee (LCDR Kathleen McDuffie)

 

      No report.

 

Recruitment and Retention Subcommittee (CDR Jon Daugherty)

 

1.  The following officers have expressed interest in assisting with the work of the Recruiting and Retention Subcommittee:  LCDR Hottenstein, CDR Pyant, and CDR McNeilly.  Any other interested officers are requested to contact CDR Daugherty.  Also, suggestions regarding recruiting events at which the Subcommittee might participate are also welcome.  In this regard, the Subcommittee is currently investigating the dates and times of career fairs in the Washington/Baltimore area for possible attendance by officers.  The Division of Commissioned Personnel has funds available for recruiting at meetings held in an officer's locality (funds are not available for travel).

 

2.  The Reserve Officers Association has requested that an officer member of ROA who lives in the Ellicott City area volunteer to present the ROA medal to a SROTC/JROTC student at Howard High School.  The date and time has not yet been determined, but CDR Daugherty has volunteered to present the award if his schedule permits. 

 

Associate Recruiter Program (LCDR Nelson Adekoya/CAPT Susanne Caviness)

 

Officers are encouraged to become Associate Recruiters.

 

If you are uncertain what the ARP is and its functions, further information may be found at the Scientist Category web site at the following URL:  http://usphs-scientist.org/ARP/ARP.htm

 

Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee (CDR Kevin McGuinness)

 

SciPAC Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness

Minutes : 17 January 2003

Present: CDR Rick Troiano, CDR Joseph Despins, CAPT Susanne Caviness, LCDR Mark Methner, CDR Renee Joskow (CCRF), CDR Pamela Ching, CAPT Bryan Jones, CDR Kevin McGuinness

AGENDA
1) Risk Communication
2) Competency Based Coding

New Business

1) Risk Communication
a) Resources useful to the development of a risk communication training program were discussed.  Several individuals with experience in this area were suggested as possible resources. 
b) The possibility of obtaining information or other forms of assistance from Barbara Reynolds, CDC; Max Lum, NIOSH; and Ralph O'Connor of ATSDR was discussed. 
c) CAPT Jones offered to explores some resources for the next meeting of this subcommittee.

2) Competency Based Coding /Who is Who in SciPAC
a) A discussion ensued regarding the value to the PHS of database, similar to ones maintained by military services, containing specific information regarding specialties and other "value added" service skills. 
b) CAPT Jones indicated he may be able to collect/provide information regarding competency-based coding used by the Navy.
c) CDR Despins has performed a preliminary review of position coding used by the federal government and HHS in particular.  He provided the numbers of officers currently occupying billets classified by this system (0000, 74 officers; 0678, 26 officers; 0180, 20 officers; etc.) 
d) It was suggested by some that a more specific and accessible system might be worth exploring. 
e) CDR McGuinness indicated that he would attempt to gather information regarding Mental Health officers and their distribution within the Corps across categories.

 

Career Development Subcommittee (CDR Richard Troiano)

 

CV Review

 

15 Officers provided feed back.  Also of the Officers were happy with the process.

 

Awards Subcommittee (CDR Douglas Thoroughman/LCDR John Mosely Hayes)

 

LCDR Hayes gave an update on the submissions for the Derek Dunn Memorial Scientist Officer of the Year and Young Scientist Officer of the Year awards. To date, there has been only 1 submission. A message will be sent to those officers who have previously submitted applications over the past 3 years for these awards to have them send in an updated CV.

 

V.  NEW BUSINESS

 

Commissioned Corps Promotion Task Force Report (included below is a section of the draft document)

 

The following four precepts were developed by the Task Force for review and consideration by the Agencies, CPOs., PACs, and DCP:

 

1.         Performance.  Performance is measured by (a) the officers’ annual COERs, (b) awards and other recognition, (c) recommendation prepared by the Reviewing Official when officers become eligible for promotion, and (d) evidence in the officers’ CV.

 

a.   Annual COER.  The COER, although not a sensitive instrument, often identifies officers who are not performing in a satisfactory manner.  Officers, supervisors and Boards should be cognizant of mean COER scores by Agency. Boards should examine carefully COER attachments 1 (duties, accomplishments and goals) and 2 (rater’s comments). The board should evaluate the officer’s performance in the context of the officer’s level of responsibility.

 

b.   Performance-based Awards and Other Recognition.  Awards document outstanding performance, including Commissioned Officer awards or other performance-based Civil Service awards, awards from other uniformed services, professional association awards, etc.   Factors to be weighed include length of service, Command/Agency, rank, etc.

 

c.  Reviewing Official Recommendation.  At the time an officer becomes eligible for promotion, the officer’s Reviewing Official develops a formal performance assessment that addresses the following specific points in a brief formatted memorandum (not to exceed one page, 14 pitch).  Reviewing Officials may solicit outside letters of recommendation for their use in evaluating collateral duties, e.g., those conducted outside the Corps or Agency assignment.  The Agency is given discretion to call for higher level concurrence of the Reviewing Official’s assessment within the Agency.  Boards will, however, review only the text of the recommendation; they will be blinded to such higher level concurrence since not all officers will necessarily be reviewed in the same fashion.

 

1.  Promotion Readiness:  Is the officer ready for promotion and to serve at the next higher rank? [Yes/No]  Explain.

2.  Leadership:  How does the officer take on a leadership role in the Command/Agency?

3.  Mission:  How does the officer contribute to the mission of the Command/Agency?

 

d.  CV:  The officer’s CV may be a valuable source of evidence for performance that justifies promotion.  A CV should document that officers have given presentations or written about their work, or otherwise represented the Command/Agency, e.g., on committees or advisory boards; awards should also be documented in the CV.  In this fashion, the CV may be used to evaluate impact and accomplishments of the officer.

 

The promotion boards review:  (a) COERs for the past 3 years and mean COER scores by Agency; (b) awards summary (in PIR); (c) reviewing official’s recommendation, and (d) the officer’s CV.  It should be noted that the Boards have access to the entire OPF, if desired.

 

2.  Education, Training, and Professional Development (Professional Qualifications).  Training as a health professional is required to serve as a Commissioned Officer; such training varies by category and mission.  This composite precept is composed of the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate educational qualifications/degrees/certifications of an officer, applicable licensure, appropriate continuing educational activities (for not more than the past 5 years), formal didactic training in public health as well as relevant experience in public health, and non-degree programs.

 

The promotion boards review, as appropriate for the category:  (a) the officer’s latest CV, (b) continuing education summary as a separate section in the OPF, (c) training certifications/diplomas and credentialing documents, and (d) licensure documentation.

 

3.  Career Progression and Potential.  The billet system is essential in defining the officer’s present and future roles.  The billet and CV reflect the officer’s level of responsibility; characteristics of the officer, e.g., generalist or specialist; the appropriate level of independence; and the officer’s management and supervisory responsibilities.  Years of service, dates of past promotions (competitive or accelerated promotion [formerly exceptional capability or EC]), Board-reviewed nominations for accelerated promotion as contained in the OPF, geographic and/or programmatic mobility (including hardship tours), assimilation status, collateral duties, and an assessment of the officer’s ability to perform at the next higher grade are assessed under this precept.  Finally, receipt of Commissioned Corps honor awards and non-Corps awards also may be signs of career progression. 

 

The promotion boards review:  (a) officer’s present/past billets from the past 10 years (from DCP), (b) service dates, assignments, and dates of past promotions; (c) date of assimilation or application for assimilation; (d) reviewing official’s assessment of the officer’s readiness for promotion; and (d) award history, contained in the officer’s CV and official PIR.

 

4.  Characteristics of the Career Officer and Service to the Corps.  Commissioned Officers serve not only in the capacity described in their billets, but also stand ready to fulfill the mission of the Commissioned Corps by:  (a) addressing National emergencies, (b) manifesting leadership through Commissioned Corps roles and service, and (c) fulfilling requests by the Surgeon General.  The characteristics of a career officer, including demonstrated service to the Corps, have been coined by some as “officership.”  The Boards assess membership and involvement in CCRF, DMAT/DMORT/VMAT (and other components of NDMS), on PACs, PAC subcommittees, recruitment, including participation in the Associate Recruiter Program, and other official Commissioned Corps activities.  Leadership may also be demonstrated by participation in professional organizations that support the Commissioned Corps and other uniformed services, e.g., COA, ROA, and AMSUS.  Training in the practices and procedures of the Commissioned Corps, i.e., BOTC/IOTC are recognized as part of this precept. Service awards (e.g., Isolated Hardship, Hazardous Duty,

Foreign Duty, Special Assignment Service Award, NEPA, and CRSA) and FMRB document the officer’s role in meeting the needs of the Service.

 

Senior officers are expected to participate in leadership courses, as available, and mentor as well as recruit junior officers. 

 

Officers are expected to conduct themselves with highest integrity and commitment to healthy lifestyles, e.g., exercising and not smoking, and wearing the uniform daily.

 

The promotion boards review a one-page bulleted statement by the officer that addresses specifically:  (a) support of Corps activities, (b) commitment to visibility as an officer, and (c) officer’s vision and expectations of a career in the Commissioned Corps, including commitment to the USPHS mission.

 

Recommended PY 2003 Weights for Promotion Precepts

 

 

Precept                                                                        0-5/0-6  * 

Performance                                                     40

[N.B.  Boards should give consideration to the following four elements: COER, awards, Reviewing Official Recommendation, and CV]                                                               

 

Professional Qualifications                                 15                               

Career Progression/Potential                             25                   

Career Officer Characteristics                           20                   

 

*  Under Priority 3 below, Proposed Promotion Eligibility Requirements, the Promotion Task Force recommends non-competitive 0-4 promotions.  Therefore, the precept weights here do not apply to 0-4 promotions with the exception of Accelerated Promotions (as described in this report).

 

Priority #2

Proposed Matrix for Benchmarking The “Best-Qualified” Officer by Precepts and Grade

 

Charge from the Committee: Establish a process to determine benchmarks that are grade and category specific to assist individual officers, raters, reviewers, and promotion boards in gauging the progression of officers’ careers.  Consider whether the benchmarking process could replace the “average officer” concept.  

 

The Promotion Task Force recommended that, as a first step in the process, CPOs and PACs develop benchmarks. The CPOs and PAC Chairs have accepted this task and are currently developing benchmarks according to the recommended timelines in this report.

 

Instructions:  CPOs and PACs should indicate the expected attributes of the “best-qualified” promotion-eligible officer for each precept components by grade.  In developing these attributes, CPOs and PACs should consider expectations for an officer seeking promotion in the current system, as well as projecting future expectations.  The Task Force anticipates that the expectations should change as our benchmarks evolve and are phased into operation.  It also expects that the benchmarks should be progressive, resulting in some of the precepts having higher weights for junior officers and others having higher weights for senior officers.

 

For this exercise, the term “best-qualified” means an officer who demonstrates the leadership, skills and accomplishments expected of that grade based on fulfilling the characteristics within the four precepts and the eligibility for promotion criteria.  The matrix below provides benchmarks for an O-4, O-5, and O-6 to follow.  For example, a current O-4 should meet the benchmarks established for an O-5/O-6.  Although the Task Force is recommending a non-competitive O-4 promotion process, the defined characteristics of a “best-qualified” O-4 are essential for junior officers’ career planning and development; these characteristics would also be used for APs.  Precepts #2 and #3 should be developed individually for each category, since the guidance will be specific by category, although overlap may also be present.  Because some categories are diverse in composition, it may require the development of sub-category matrices given the unique requirements of varied professional groups.  NOTE:  The Research Officer Group (ROG) Advisory Committee will be charged to develop benchmarks for members of ROG, just as the categories will be doing.

 

Ideally the benchmarks established for the Precepts on Performance and Characteristics of the Career Officer should be similar for all promotion-eligible Officers.  Therefore, the Task Force seeks input by CPOs and PACs working jointly on the Precepts #1 and #4. 

 

Precept 1.  Performance – measured by (a) the officers’ annual COERs, (b) awards and other recognition, (c) recommendation prepared by the Reviewing Official when officers become eligible for promotion, and (d) evidence in the officers’ CV.  The Reviewing Official’s Recommendation will include promotion readiness for the next higher rank, assumed leadership roles within the Agency, and contribution to the mission of the Agency.

 

Precept 4: Characteristics of the Career Officer and Service to the Corps. 

•     Officers serve within their billets but also are ready to fulfill the mission of the Commissioned Corps by (a) responding to National Emergencies, (b) manifesting leadership through Commissioned Corps roles and service, and (c) fulfilling request by the Surgeon General.

•     Assess involvement in CCRF, DMAT/DMORT/VMAT (and other components of NDMS), on PACs, PAC subcommittees, recruitment such as the Associate Recruiter Program, and other official Commissioned Corps activities. 

•     Other leadership roles can be assumed in professional organizations that support the PHS Commissioned Corps, e.g., COA, ROA, and AMSUS.

•     Training in the practices and procedures of the Commissioned Corps, i.e., BOTC/IOTC. 

•     Service awards, e.g., Isolated Hardship, Hazardous Duty, Foreign Duty, Special Assignment Service Award, NEPA, and CRSA; FMRB.

•     Senior Officers are expected to participate in leadership courses and recruit and mentor Junior Officers.

•     Conduct of the highest integrity and commitment to healthy lifestyles, e.g., physical fitness and daily wear of the uniform

•     One page bulleted statement by the officer addressing:  support of Corps activities, commitment to visibility as an officer, and the officer’s vision and expectations of a career in the Commissioned Corps, including commitment to the USPHS mission.

 

Please send your comments about any/all precepts to CDR Richard Troiano.  This task must be completed by June 1^st.

 

CDR Richard Troiano

NIH/NCI

6130 Executive Blvd

MSC 7344

Bethesda, MD  20892-7344

301-435-6822 ph 301-435-3710 fax

rt75I@NIH.GOV

 

VI.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The next scheduled meeting: Executive Committee – March 27, 2003

The next scheduled meeting: Full SciPAC – April 24, 2003

 

Schedule of Executive and Full SciPAC meetings

3/27/2003	Executive Committee
4/24/2003	Full SciPAC
5/22/2003	Executive Committee
6/2003	Meeting date to be determined
7/24/2003	Full SciPAC
8/28/2003	Executive Committee
9/25/2003	Full SciPAC

VII. ADJOURNMENT

 

The SciPAC meeting was officially adjourned at 1610 HOURS.

 

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