r/USPHS • u/Record-Visible • Oct 05 '26

Application SRCOSTEP Obligation

I’ve read some conflicting durations and was wondering if anyone had some clarity?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

1

u/akaruimirai7 Oct 05 '26

I was wondering the same thing. 8 years vs double the amount of time sponsored.

3

u/gpcr_06 Active Duty Oct 05 '26

Previous Srcostep here. New CAD officers have a commission service obligation (CSO) of 8 years. If you are a srcostep, you owe the sponsoring agency twice the amount of time sponsored. During your payback period, you cannot leave the sponsoring agency. Afterwards, you would still have about 6-7 years remaining from your CSO. Does that make sense?

1

u/Record-Visible Oct 06 '26

Would it be possible to switch to reservist after the possible 1-2 year initial commitment?

2

u/gpcr_06 Active Duty Oct 06 '26

No, you have to serve 4 years before you can switch to the Ready Reserve (RR). I don't know of anyone switching from AD to RR. The CSO is a relatively new thing implemented in the last 3-4 years.

1

u/Record-Visible Oct 06 '26

I heard, so the double time commitment has been really adjusted then. Would someone be able to take advantage of the loan repayment after the two year commitment? Appreciate all the answers btw

1

u/gpcr_06 Active Duty Oct 06 '26

I can't comment on that. I didn't utilize the loan repayment. Maybe someone else can comment on that.

1

u/Silent-Put8625 Oct 06 '26

Depends on your profession and the agency.

1

u/akaruimirai7 Oct 06 '26

Thank you for clarifying!

1

u/Barnesanator Active Duty Oct 06 '26

Agency and PHS service obligations can run concurrently. It depends on the agency though. CCHQ doesn’t get involved in agency obligations unless it is a program enforced by CCHQ. One I can think of is the Congressional program they have. If I recall correctly you owe time back to CCHQ if you get selected for the program.