# Presentation: 813873

## PharmPAC Career Development Assimilation Program 

- Personnel Operations Memorandum
- POM 07-002
- Regular Corps Assimilation Program
- Effective 11 June 2007

## Assimilation Program Background

- The active duty force is made up of officers that hold either a Reserve or Regular commission
- Virtually all officers are brought onto active duty into the Reserve Corps
- The Reserve Corps strength can expand or contract as needed by the Public Health Service
- The Regular Corps strength is limited to 2,800 by statute

## Assimilation Program Background

- The Regular Corps is the career component of the Commissioned Corps
- Composed of officers that demonstrate a long-term commitment to the missions and goals of the Corps
- Appointment requires nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate
- Assimilation is the appointment of Reserve Corps officers into the Regular Corps

## Assimilation Eligibility Requirements

- An officer may _apply_ for assimilation if he/she meets the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of _two_ years of continuous active duty at the _time of application_
- Meet the specific educational requirements for Regular Corps appointment for his/her professional category
- Meet the required medical standards
- 	recent medical history/exam

## Assimilation Eligibility Requirements (cont.)

- An officer may _apply_ for Assimilation if he/she meets the following requirements:
- Meet curent licensure, registration or certification requirements of his/her category
- Receive an overall “D” or “E” on most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Report
- Meet the _Basic Level of Force Readiness_
- Documented security clearance with OCCO
- Have no adverse reactions recorded on file
- Not be on any type of limited tour

## Assimilation Application Procedure

- Qualified officers are recommended to apply for assimilation and must:
- Submit Form PHS-7034, “Application for Assimilation into the Regular Corps” on the CCMIS website
- Submit an accompanying statement that includes the following:
- Officer’s reasons for requesting appointment to the Regular Corps
- A statement that the officer is requesting assimilation based on a firm commitment to a career in the Commissioned Corps

## Application Procedure (continued)

- Qualified officers applying for assimilation must:
- Submit completed application and statement to immediate supervisor for an endorsement recommendation
- Consider asking supervisor for a statement justifying and supporting the application
- Mail the _original_ application documents to the OCCO Assimilation Coordinator before the posted deadline

## Application Procedure (continued)

- Upon receipt of an application, the OCCO Assimilation Coordinator will:
- Send the officer written acknowledgement that the application has been received
- Specify the assimilation year in which the officer is qualified to be reviewed
- Outline any deficiencies in the application _or_ the reasons for ineligibility of the applicant
- Send a copy of the acknowledgement of application to the officer’s electronic OPF

## Assimilation Board Activities

- Assimilation Boards are convened once a year:
- Composed of 5 to 7 Regular Corps O-6 officers that are representative of the entire Corps
- At least 2 members come from outside the Washington DC area when feasible
- Two Boards convene
- One for PO-3 and below _or_ less than 31/2 yrs
- One for PO-4 and above _and_ more than 31/2 yrs

## Assimilation Board Activities (cont.)

- Assimilation Boards perform the following activities:
- Evaluate candidate’s application, references and  qualifications; focusing on performance, career progression, mobility, awards and career potential
- After evaluating officer qualifications, rank all candidates, across categories, for assimilation
- Prepare and submit list of nominated officers to OCCO for review and recommendation

## Assimilation Selection Information

- Director, OCCO forwards list of nominated officers to SG, who forwards approved list through the Secretary to the President for nomination and Senate confirmation
- After a medical, OPF, and OFRD review, an administration of the oath of office must be completed, then the order appointing the officer to the Regular Corps is issued and documented
- A Regular Corps appointment certificate and ribbon are issued to the officer

## Assimilation Selection Info. (cont.)

- Officers are appointed at the current Temporary grade _and_ the Permanent grade held at the time that their name was forwarded to the SG
- BPED _may_ be adjusted upon assimilation, if less than the statutory constructive credit
- Officers _recommended _but not forwarded for _nomination_ will be reconsidered by the next assimilation board
- Officers cannot be assimilated while in 3 year probationary period

## Assimilation Selection Info. (cont.)

- If an officer is _not_ forwarded after three board reviews, he or she must submit a new application
- If Director, OCCO concurs with a board recommendation against assimilation, an officer must submit a new application
- The Director, OCCO will notify the officer of the following:
- Application was forwarded for nomination
- Officer recommended, but not forwarded
- Officer reviewed by three boards, but not forwarded
- Director, OCCO concurs with not-recommend

## Why Consider Assimilation?

- Assimilation demonstrates an officer’s long term commitment to the Corps
- Assimilation places the officer in the career  component of the Corps
- Assimilation _**may**_ result in adjustment to BPED
- Assimilation required for Flag rank and appointment as a Chief Professional Officer (CPO)
- Assimilation imparts some retention rights
- Assimilation _**may**_ allow service past 30 years
- Assimilation _**may**_ improve chances of promotion

## Application Deadline Information

- The application deadline for FY 2007 is 15 February 2007
- Application mailing address:
- 	Office of Commissioned Corps Operations
- 	Div. of Commissioned Corps Officer Support
- 	ATTN: Assimilation Coordinator
- 	1101 Wooten Parkway, Suite 100
- 	Rockville, MD  20852

## Questions or Comments???

- Contact Information
- CDR Michael Shiber
- _MJShiber@bop.gov_
- CDR Mary Kremzner
- _Mary.Kremzner@fda.hhs.gov_
- PharmPAC Career Development
- Agency PHS Liaison Officer
- LCDR Corey Dahl
- _Corey.Dahl@hhs.gov_
- OCCO Assimilation Coordinator