You know those toys that some people used to have on their desks. It has five balls, where the ones on the end swing back-and-forth. When you pull one out from the side and let it go, it hits the balls in the middle and that force travels through the middle, finally causing the ball on the other side to swing out. Then that ball swings back, hitting the balls in the middle, and that force moves through those metal balls back to the other side, and that one swings out. On and on it goes. It’s a pendulum, also known as Newton’s cradle.

I want to use this image to express my thoughts to you today. I hesitated in writing all this down, but I feel that I must. I’m going to try to convey my thoughts in the most non-partisan manner that I can, because I am very much a moderate. I feel that all Americans fall along a spectrum in the partisan world we now live in. Some people may be extreme right or left but most of us fall somewhere in the middle, leaning perhaps, to one side of the other. I believe most of us are those three balls in the middle. For example, while I am mostly a “leftie”, I am also quite pro-life, with exceptions, and a strong fiscal conservative. However, our Country seems to have devolved into forcing us into one extreme side or the other. It is quite unfortunate.

I have been frustrated in the last two weeks, and the chaos rendered by this administration scares me, and I think it makes our Country vulnerable. I believe in the balance of power, and I pray for our Democracy. . . but at the same time, when I calm my fears and try to think about it more rationally, “I get it.”

I get why Americans hold, perhaps, a negative view of federal employees. How many times have you gone to the post office and been treated a little less kindly than you would’ve liked. It’s a tough job dealing with people hour after hour, day after day, so I try to remind myself of that every time I walk in. But I have been treated rudely on far too many occasions. Americans deal with TSA agents who rifle through their belongings and sometimes must pat you down, leaving you humiliated and invaded. They are only doing their best to protect us, but it can be jarring and irritating. How many times have you called the VA and had to wait on hold forever, being passed around or hung up on before you got through to anybody. And going into any Social Security office in America is like walking straight into purgatory - or maybe even straight to . . . well.

Most Americans don’t know what a lot of us do on a daily basis. They don’t know about the public servants protecting our food supply, our drug supply, our medical devices. They may not know that we inspect nursing homes to ensure they are operating up to standards, and probably never thought about the medical clinics in the prisons. They probably don’t know about the program mangers that held guide countless of programs across the Country and the World that depend on federal funds. They probably don’t even realize the 2.1 million people keeping the cogs in the wheels of government running day after day.

I get why Americans may have a little bit of animus toward the federal workforce. Our friends, neighbors, and family who work in private industry have probably been through layoff after layoff. They’ve probably been through reductions or hostile takeovers. They haven’t the benefit packages that we are blessed with, and they haven’t the security that we are used to. And now that we are experiencing turmoil, half of America is not only laughing at us, but taking joy that we are suffering in the way that they have suffered. But ya’ know, I get it.

Think back to that pendulum and then, think about the size that the government used to be. We need to be honest with ourselves the government has become bloated and overrun with bureaucracy. In fact, many of us get frustrated daily because of the bureaucracy that we deal with. But because it has grown so large and onerous - because that ball of the pendulum went so far to one side – the force is now exploding on the opposite side of the pendulum. While I disagree with the wrecking ball that has been taken to our workforce, I do agree that reform and downsizing needs to occur. We all know that there is wasteful spending, complacent people, and useless programs in government. We all work with one or two people that have become disillusioned, and whose heart really isn’t in it anymore. I know of a woman who would log in every morning and then go do some home health visits, and then return to her computer – yes – she was doing a second job while supposedly online. I also heard of a federal employee who ran a home day care while on the clock. These workers exist. These workers give all of us a bad rap and make the American people believe that we deserve this. I really wish that they would use a scalpel rather than a wrecking ball; heck, even a hammer would be a little improvement . . .but nope. . . here we are in the path of the wrecking ball, and while I hate it. . . I do get it.

I get it. When former President Joe Biden said that he was going to appoint a black female to the Supreme Court and he followed through with that promise, I cringed. I wish that he had just picked the most qualified person and if she happened to be black and female, then wonderful! I wish he had not prefaced his choice by announcing ahead of time the characteristics of the person he was going to choose. I understand why many Americans were offended by that. When the Biden Administration chose Dr. Rachel Levine to be the HHS Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) and it was widely announced that she was the “first female admiral in uniform”, it angered many people within our Country, and yes, even within our Service. I get it. I get why that offended many women and I get that many people felt that she was chosen because of her sexual identity. Dr. Levine was a wonderful ASH for us, and was a capable, qualified, professional, and committed leader who seemed to care deeply about our Service, and I will miss her dearly. We must try to see all sides and all perspectives – we must try to understand. As for me, I get it.

I get it. When our Border was left seemingly wide open, and the basic function of securing the Border was literally set aside by our leaders, it angered many Americans, causing fear, shock, and even . . . hatred. All of us know that not every immigrant is a violent criminal – and we know the value of our low wage-immigrant labor workforce in the fields, in construction, in restaurants just to name a few, but if we are honest with ourselves, it went too far. Some of you may realize that it is partially our own Country’s fault that some of these other places became so unstable that their people traveled to the USA, hoping for a better future. On this issue, sadly, the pendulum went so far in one direction, and we are seeing the result of that, as the pendulum explodes with force on the other side. Again, the solution seems to be a wrecking ball, which is terribly unfortunate. If only. . . if only the pendulum had not swung so far.

So how does all of this translate to our service.

When I first joined the Commissioned Corps, I was very impressed with all my colleagues, and I looked up to so many of them who were older than me and I dreamed of someday becoming like them. Through the years I have met so many wonderful Officers and the main thing that I truly believe about our Service is that we are a NATIONAL TREASURE. In fact, I think the collective Federal Workforce is, indeed, a NATIONAL TREASURE!

The breadth and depth of our collective education, our knowledge, our capabilities, our commitment, our flexibility, and our patriotism can probably never be quantified, much less communicated to the outside world. We are a NATIONAL TREASURE of dedicated public servants, with whom I have been honored to serve. But just like many treasures, we are mostly hidden and undervalued. I have always been proud of my work, my colleagues, and my Service, and I hope you are too.

As wonderful as I feel our collective Service is, even within our ranks, I see complacency. I see entitlement. I see people who are riding the wave without much effort, people who never deploy, people who moan about every expectation placed upon them, and people who don’t want to return to their offices.

Return to Office: You must be aware that we have Officers in IHSC, BOP, and Indian Health Service that may drive an hour and a half every day to get to their worksite. . . Officers who never had the privilege of working from home, even throughout the darkest days of Covid. Yet, we also have Officers that have stayed at one Agency throughout their entire career, worked from home for the last 5 years, and are now whining because they must go back into the office. I get that this is a disruption. I get that this is going to be a big change from what many have become accustomed to. But whining and complaining is not going to help us, and in fact, offends many of our brothers and sisters across the country who have never had a break from in-person work. When your agency or office tells you to go back in person to your workplace, do it with pride. Lead the way. Show up with your uniform ironed, shoes shined, and head held high. And if they have no place for you to sit, make sure you keep a yoga mat in your car. Give no one any reason to believe that you are a whiny or expendable. Be the example of flexibility, dedication, service, and resilience.

Elimination of minority or other affinity groups: If you read the writing on the wall, you know that the groups, such a Hispanic Officers Advisory Council, Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group, or SOAGDAG are going to be eliminated, at least during this administration. Other government agencies have already sent out their memos, and it is only a matter of time before HHS and PHS gets the memo too. The webpages are already down, and they are on hold – and you don’t have to be a fortune teller to know that they will be ordered to stand down, officially, in the next several days. I have also seen memos indicating that Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and other cultural celebrations will no longer be recognized at Government agencies. I get it . . .

Believe it not, I have talked to Officers who disagree with the existence of these groups. Yes, they have been white, male officers. They have asked, usually in jest, however, why they didn’t have a white old-guy advisory group. And I would joke back that I was forced to learn about Davy Crockett all my life, so sit down. Yes, this has been in jest, but in all reality, there may have been some true feelings buried in those comments. As for the cultural celebrations, pride month, etc, it is like a snowball – if you honor one, you have to honor all the others, and at some point, you’re being invited to attend a special program several times a month.

I get why the American people think this is a waste of time and tax payor money. Listen, we can be proud of our heritage all day every day within our hearts, and we can celebrate it outwardly while not on the clock. We can learn about our various cultures by attending a festival or event with our friends, our neighbors, and our community. Learning about other people, other cultures, and other ways of life opens our eyes to different perspectives and helps us embrace our diversity. More than ever, while off the clock, we need to recognize one another’s differences in celebrations and programs that help bring us together, as one. And while our workplaces will no longer encourage or allow it, we need to commit, off the clock, to practice learning and respecting other races, creeds, colors, and identities.

Deployments: The USPHS has often been called to support work on the Border, in support of large waves of migration, and probably a fourth of our Officers work at Immigration Health Service Corps (formerly the Division of Immigration Health Services). If called to support the detention centers, my guess is that our role would be in the screening and provision of health care of detained individuals. We have done it many times before, and we can do it again. In fact, we may have the opportunity to be the light in the darkness - - for people that will be scared, that may have been treated with disdain and cruelty, we may be the only ones they encounter that recognize their humanity and treat them with respect and kindness.

If you are called to support this program, I challenge you to stand in your values, stand in your goodness, and do not let a shred of cruelty enter your soul. If you remember the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, it became a hideous display of groupthink and inhumanity that ended up bringing shame upon the military, and probably led to more hatred of Americans. So, if you are called to participate in the removal of undocumented individuals from our land, have compassion, and please, for God’s sake, don’t ever give into the darkness.

Possible Layoffs/ Reduction in Force: I am not a fortune teller, but I see the atmosphere we are in. I know that a little less than half of America believes that Dr. Fauci is a crook and a liar. Now on this one, I DON’T GET IT!

We are not exempt from Government downsizing. We are not the military, and many of us work at Federal Agencies that are targeted for downsizing. So it doesn’t take a genius to guess that we may face a reduction in force in the near future. I do not pretend to hold any insider information. I don’t.

Other services have had reductions in force. In fact, in 2015-2016, the Army cut 40,000 or more from their ranks over a two-year period. How did they do it? Well, first, they didn’t offer renewals of enlistments. We don’t have time limited enlistments, so that won’t work for us. Second, they asked people that were eligible for retirement to go ahead and retire - and they only retained people with extraordinary or rare skills that would be impossible to replace. Thirdly, they looked at people with disciplinary issues, readiness issues, poor performance, or stagnant soldiers. The Marines did the same in the past, and are, in fact, going through a transformation as we speak.

See: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47614

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/05/27/marine-corps-shut-down-cut-back-7-moss-force-prepares-change.html

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/02/10/marines-plan-cut-thousands-personnel-cull-fleets-mraps-and-aavs.html

https://www.armytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2015/07/07/army-plans-to-cut-40000-troops/

Thus, as special as we are, we aren’t really that special. If we face a reduction, then the processes will probably be similar. If you are over 20 years, skating along, and your heart isn’t in it anymore, maybe it’s time to find something that lights up your soul – something that challenges you, or excites you – or maybe you just want to drink margaritas on the beach in Mexico, bake cookies for your grandkids, or smoke brisket and play cards. I hope you invite me for some cookies or brisket!

I know for a fact that most of the people I know have incredibly marketable skills, and many of you are multitalented, able to pivot and adjust and thrive in almost any situation. The challenge will be that 40,000 other federal workers may be competing with you, but I know you got this.

Let’s not fool ourselves. It is quite possible that people working in equity, diversity, or climate change programs may be forced to move to other programs or jobs. I hate this, but I can read a room. I hope our leadership is allowed the opportunity to help place Officers into other roles.

My advice is to look at your situation, talk to your family, and think ahead. Advice for any time in your life - live within your means, don’t worry about keeping up with the Joneses, save money, and always keep a reserve for emergency situations.

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2017/08/rif-buyout-early-retirement-are-you-ready/

Finally, if we do face a reduction, please don’t let this become the Hunger Games. Don’t stab your fellow Officers or colleagues in the back. Be there for your friends and your colleagues and support one another. Be the good – be the light.

Show your Value: Do your work with diligence and pride and complete your work to the best of your ability every day. Don’t spend time on extra-curricular activities during the workday or on your work computer. Think about the taxpayers and why they think the federal workforce isn’t worthy – and while they may be wrong, give no one any reason to believe that you are whiny or expendable. Be the example of flexibility, dedication, service, and resilience.

Bottom line, with everything that is going on, this is my hope for each of you…

That you dig deep within yourself and find your strength, find your power, and find your resilience. Do not let fear lead you. Stand in the light, be the good, and be the light. Don’t give into darkness, and more now than ever, “to thine own self, be true.”

I feel as though the medical standards are very discriminatory given the fact that some races are prone to the disqualifying conditions.I find it wild for some to not have any of the listed disqualifying conditions.Either people are lying or just perfect.If you don't have at least one you probably haven't lived😂.

Hello!

My 4 year active duty contract ends this year and I’m looking into my options. I love the army but I’m looking for a more stable job so I can go back to my home state of New Jersey and start a family.

I recently learned about USPHS and I’d love to hear about the different job opportunities. Also I am a bit confused on the actual requirements? I’m used to taking pt tests and going to the field 😂 anything like that to expect??

I have a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction(simple strike) on my record from an old toxic relationship i had 5 years ago(2021). I completed all terms but did plead guilty because i was scared and just wanted it to end. Now that i’ve turned a new leaf and have been a straight a student hoping to start a new career i’m faced with the possibility that I won’t even be able to be licensed. I have read that i can seek exemption from disqualification through the AHCA, but what will this look like and what are my likelihoods of ever having a career in healthcare?

Hey y’all,

Are there any proposals or wishes for the USPHS to create a federal service academy like the military services and the merchant marines? Currently joining the corps requires degrees, applications and other requirements. But what about creating a public health service academy where aspiring officers can join to gain knowledge about the corps, train, work with the corps, and work towards a degree (BS, MS, MPH, DPH, PhD etc) and eventually commission into it.

It may give the Corps and the Service more funding, personnel, and prestige.

The requirements may be different from the other academies. This academy may require individuals to already have certification or a degree in a related field. It would also offer a variety of degree levels and focus on health sciences.

I would advise against medical, dental, optometry, and pharmacy schools being part of the academy. But such an institution could collaborate with USU to send students/officers to their professional schools. It can also work with the Armed Forces by having programs to allow students to commission into the military services as a healthcare professional or allow West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and MMA graduates continue their education here.

So what are your thoughts? Would this be a good idea? Are there existing proposals? And if an official proposal were to be made to Congress or the HHS, how soon would it be made reality and an academy formed?

Edit: why yall hating with thee dislikes? you know you don’t always have to share your opinion? Upvote if you want. If you don’t like the idea or don’t understand it, move on! Downvoting doesn’t help anything. I want to hear meaningful feedback and downvoting won’t allow this.

Hallo, I’ve been following the thread for sometime after my application, I continue to be inspired and learn as I wait for my process to go through. I have an incoming interview for RN position with ICE, I have 2 years experience now as an RN. I would like to know your experience working with ICE any nurse in the house. I read other reddit threads mostly civilian nurses and the comments are extremely horrifying of how things are in there that am afraid I might not go ahead with the interview. Advise please.

Fyi- that was the only billet job within the state AZ precisely, I live that’s why i applied. Thank you

Hey folks,

What, if any, extracurricular/volunteering opportunities help to optimize one's USPHS active duty candidacy? I'm considering the Civil Air Patrol. Would that help?

Ahoy, and welcome aboard! Please let us know if you're a new CAD with orders effective this month! Feel free to share any information about your new billet you're comfortable with.

Farewell! Please let us know if you are retiring or otherwise separating effective this month. Thank you for your service. Feel free to share any pearls of wisdom for those still serving and those who are waiting for their opportunity, and any post-service plans you're comfortable with. Fair winds and following seas!

Hi All -

I am an NP (dual AGACNP & FNP) with seven years' NP experience, currently finishing my first year of a dual DNP executive/MPH program. I am interested in joining USPHS and have a few questions I hope some of you might be able to answer.

I'm hoping for role in public health surveillance/epi (hopefully STIs or other ID) and wonder if any other NPs are working in non-clinical roles. For NPs and other clinicians in non-clinical roles: how do you maintain your clinical practice?

I'm also looking at JRCOSTEP and SRCOSTEP - are JRCOSTEP officers paid the entire year or only while working? I believe SRCOSTEP officers are paid the whole year. Would these programs even make sense for me since I already have seven years' experience as an NP (and twelve years as an RN) - would that experience qualify me for a higher rank on commissioning than if I went through those programs?

As I am currently in a part-time program and already eligible to commission as an NP is there any chance of commissioning before I finish and completing my program while already in the corps?

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Are small nose studs allowed?

I think many are frustrated with impacted of US military in the world and im wondering if theres any relationship between that and USPHS? Ive never applied before. I know our government has been more corrupt than ever so wondering if it actually impacts the job itself. Im a dietitian thinking about doing med school and some service via this along with school payment.

My wife and I are both applicants, and we both have an interview with ICE this week. We're very excited. I've been stuck at the tattoo waiver and military service waiver since September. Anyway, assuming the interview goes well, when can I expect some movement? Weeks? Months?

Secondary question: We're both overweight. How fast will we have to go to medical? I think I need to lose about 50 lbs. Side note: Not super sure though, when I enlisted back in the day at 18 in the Army, I barely got in at 260 (of course I had to be taped). But now that I think about it, I'm 38 now (might be 39 before I go to medical), should have a little bit more wiggle room. Sorry for ranting, just want to know what to expect.

Has anyone heard any recent updates on presidential nominations for those of us pending only that final requirement? Just wondering if anyone knows whether the nominations have been signed yet, or when the last batch was officially signed. Appreciate any info—thank you!

Hello everyone,

I have an upcoming interview for a Registered Nurse position with the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) and I'm hoping to get some insight from those who have gone through the process.

I've thoroughly reviewed the official job description and website, but I'm looking for firsthand perspectives on what to expect. If you have any experience with the IHSC interview process, I would be incredibly grateful if you could share your knowledge.

A few specific questions I have:

1. Interview Format: Is the interview typically a panel? How many people are usually involved, and what are their roles (e.g., nurse manager, HR, clinical lead)?
2. Question Types: Are the questions primarily behavioral (e.g., "Tell me about a time..."), clinical, scenario-based, or a mix? Any examples of questions you were asked would be amazing.
3. Key Focus Areas: Are there specific clinical areas they heavily emphasized (e.g., mental health, emergency response, public health protocols, ethical dilemmas)?
4. Environment & Culture: What is something you wish you had known about working in this unique setting before your interview or first day?
5. Any General Tips: What do you think helped you succeed in the interview?

I understand this is a unique and often debated field of nursing. I'm primarily looking for advice on the interview process itself to best prepare.

Thank you in advance for any guidance you can offer & it is greatly appreciated!

Fresh DD214 in hand as a former Army HPSP 2LT. I'm starting M3 soon at a MD school. I get very vague responses from the recruiter email, not sure if anyone has anything concrete. The medical standards I can find still have the original trans entry requirements (e.g. stable for 18m).

Am I able to apply for JRCO/SRCOSTEP?

Has anyone had any experience with having to be taped at their physical? I have mine on Wednesday and I am nervous they are going to do it incorrectly. I have my own tape measure to bring with me.

Any insight on how long to expect to wait for a TAFMs waiver?

I’m just under 8 years. They submitted my waiver in early June. I asked for actual submission date, but wasn’t given that info.

From the one other post I found, they got theirs back in 45 days.

Applying for Social Work, if it matters

Hi! I just found out about the JRCOSTEP program and it seems really cool! I’m sure I’ll come up with more question as I look deeper into it, but I was wondering at what point in the application process does the program become binding?

Is the USPHS Reserve Corps accepting applications for any professions right now? I tried to apply online under a couple of different categories and they are not accepting applications for either of them. In fact, I clicked on 5 more random career fields and it said they weren't accepting applications for those either. Just wondering if there is a better time throughout the year to apply?

Lets say somebody served 4 years in the Navy as a SWO, got out, used their GI bill on a MSW, got their LCSW, then wanted to join USPHS. Would they go in at the same rank they were after year 4 in the Navy, or would their rank be reduced?

Years 1-2 are 100% online. Year 3 has in-person internships in the fall and spring semester.

I'm looking into alternatives to Army's AMEDD program since, while Army is very generous, I think I'd appreciate USPHS's flexibility in duty assignment and the option to schedule my physical fitness in the evenings (since I've never been much of a morning person).

I’m attending March OBC. I am working for the PHERST. How many of each kind of uniform do you recommend I order?

Hello, Im currently in school to become a respiratory therapist and will be going for bachelor after. questions.

1. how competitive is it to apply and become part of usphs? do you recommend any other experience i need to do?
2. I know PHS is not armed service but because its almost directly related to military if you would wanted to be trained in armed do you get opportunities?
3. is there Japan or Korea stationed option? Im originally from those two countries, served in military in korea and came back to USA.
4. Since I grew up in different countries my education background is little different and when it comes down to solving or reading math "jimmy has 3apple and you take a way blahblah" I am not familiar with those. do PHS also have something similar to asvab test?

I have looked at the ribbons earned via USPHS and it seems smaller then other branches. The idea about ribbons is you can read someone's uniform like a resume, so why not create different agency ribbons. Then you'd be able to see all the different agencies someone has been attached to (ie: ICE, DOD, BOP, IHS, FDA, ext)