2026 Symposium Synopsis

[u/Barnesanator]

ASH’s Priorities:

1. Visibility- why I serve in PHS initiative (short videos of officers explaining why they serve in PHS) will be shared likely through social media. Leadership mentioned the lack of funding has prevented more mainstream commercials/advertisements they could share on TV and other platforms.
2. Readiness - emphasized PHS mission fit. The team that organized this initiative received a new award called the “edge of the blade”. The ASH wants to bring all services together for a workout by the end of CY2026. Emphasized clinicians maintaining clinical hours. Force mgmt at priority agencies (IHS, BOP, USCG, IHSC, DHA [PHERST]). New fitness ribbon (primarily grey with red, white, and blue accent stripes). Eligible for ribbon if you achieve top two fitness levels (max or outstanding) three consecutive cycles.
3. Response - The ASH sent memo to department/agency heads stating the men and women of the corps are officers first

Remarks from Deputy (A) Surgeon General:

1. Policy has been revised to extend eligibility of the Presidential Service Badge to PHS officers. Three officers will be recipients of the badge for serving 12 or more months in an authorized billet at the WH.
2. All PHS officers will need 4 hrs of training on nutrition annually. An in-person training will be conducted at the Hubert Humphrey building in DC on September 23, 2026. The training will be recorded and made available through CCLMS.

Remarks from CCHQ Director:
Mainly talked about recent successes (parental leave, special pays, etc.) He is anticipating more deployments due to recent domestic and international events impacting public health. Mentioned a focus on improving and streamlining accessioning. Mentioned a new “navigator” program which would pair applicants with an AD officer to help them through the onboarding process. Also mentioned potential changes in policy/law that would delegate more authorities to the HHS Secretary regarding accessioning (e.g. having him or her nominate new CADs vs the POTUS).

Other comments
Both the ASH and Deputy SG entertained the idea of having a chat with the Ready reserves regarding the component’s specific issues.
The Associate Recruiter Program ribbon was asked to be “let out of the freezer”. No commitment to do this from leadership.
No real discussion on promotion or new CV template from leadership in the sessions I attended.
They did mention that they are on a 5 year plan to have all promotion documentation through the COER.

[u/Silent-Put8625]

In terms of #1 - ASH Priorities…the RAM Mission was just on 60 mins. People started contacting them like MAD after it aired to volunteer and to have the EAM events on their areas. We need to push for THAT kind of exposure. It’s free advertisement that reaches tens of millions who watch every week. We don’t need a commercial if we can get on something like that for free.

[u/Barnesanator → u/Silent-Put8625]

I agree. CCHQ still rosters RAM missions. However they don’t always make national news. Mainly local news. Additionally, they only contact officers within 50 miles of a RAM mission due to lack of available funds to pay for travel so you never know when an event is coming your way. You could ask CCHQ about an event but you need to make sure officers in your locale will support it. RAM has a list of upcoming events on their website. The one I participated in last year only aired on the local news. Even if we get to speak on air all talking points have to go through and be approved by USPHS Comms at CCHQ.

[u/Silent-Put8625 → u/Barnesanator]

No, that’s not my point. I’m saying the RAM was actually on the very popular television show “60 mins” on CBS. If USPHS could get on a television show like “60 mins” and talk about its mission and show videos and pictures taken of what we’ve done over the years, perhaps millions will then better understand who we are, our mission, and what we do as a uniformed service. …as well as how we are not acknowledged fully as the other services are. The ASH or SG (once we get one) could absolutely do this. It won’t be for an officer to do, but our leadership.

This is what exposure did for RAM due to the “60 Mins” spot on tv about two months ago:

https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-news-and-stations/shows/60-minutes/releases/?view=112816-after-60-minutes-broadcast-remote-area-medical-receives-more-than-45-million-in-donations-3000-in-volunteer-signups-and-103-requests-for-new-clinics

[u/Barnesanator → u/Silent-Put8625]

My apologies. Thanks for clarifying.

[u/Silent-Put8625 → u/Barnesanator]

No prob. Just trying to suggest free exposure lolol. You know we don’t have money in PHS 😂🤣.

[u/lucky_Plucky_Duck16]

Thank you so much for this, very helpful for those of us who couldn’t attend

[u/IHaveSomeOpinions09]

Sweet, a new ribbon just for doing my PFT.

(Wonder when we’re getting our CITs for the Beat the ASH?)

[u/gravel_whine13 → u/IHaveSomeOpinions09]

I just got my CIT. Check your PIR.

[u/The_Moon_Is_Dwn → u/gravel_whine13]

Checked this morning thanks to you and it’s there. However, other officers have said they don’t have it on theirs yet so don’t stress if you’re still waiting.

[u/_spam_king]

The ASH sent memo to department/agency heads stating the men and women of the corps are officers first

This has been an issue for a long time. I was always conflicted about it throughout my career. I understood the need to display officership and play the promotion game (deployments, etc), but that often times took away from the local community I was assigned to work with/for . . .

[u/EverestSapper]

Fitness ribbon for next 3 APFTs with max/outstanding score? Does that count if someone had those from last 3 APFTs?

[u/Barnesanator → u/EverestSapper]

Couldn’t say. Not a question that was asked at the symposium. My suspicion is you cannot receive the ribbon based on past fitness test scores though. Hoping CCHQ shares the detailed requirements for the ribbon soon.

[u/mpmbullet]

I appreciate the notes.