The Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual (CCPM) was introduced on 1 October 1957 to supplement the Personnel Manual for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) (now the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)). The CCPM operated as the official medium for the publication of issuances and for the purpose of maintaining and updating policies, procedures, standards, and information governing personnel management of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps).
On 04 AUG 2006, the CCPM was officially renamed the electronic Commissioned Corps Issuance System or eCCIS. The eCCIS constitutes the official medium for the issuance of policies, procedures, standards, instructions, and information governing personnel management of the Corps and officers shall remain subject to the policies, procedures, and standards contained therein.
Components of the Issuance System
The eCCIS consists of Directives, Instructions, Personnel Policy Memorandum, Personnel Operation Memorandum, Plans, Pamphlets, and Handbooks. These issuances are defined as:
Commissioned Corps Directives (CCDs or Directives) are broad policy issuances containing what is required by legislation, the President, or the Secretary of HHS to initiate, govern, or regulate actions or conduct by HHS organizational components or personnel within specific areas of responsibility. The Secretary will issue Directives to establish or describe policy, programs, and organizations; define missions; provide authority; and assign responsibilities.
Commissioned Corps Instructions (CCIs or Instructions) are issuances that implement the policy contained in Directives, or prescribe the manner or a specific plan or action for carrying out the policy, operating a program or activity, and assigning responsibilities. Instructions are issued by the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH).
Personnel Policy Memorandum (PPM) is an issuance that sets forth new or revised policies for the Corps and/or provides information or Instruction(s) necessary for the proper administration and management of the Corps. PPMs are issued by the ASH due to time constraints which preclude publishing an Instruction that introduces new or revised policies. PPMs have the full force and effect of Instructions. Under the direction of the ASH, the Director of DCCPR may issue PPMs to make technical corrections to Instructions and PPMs, provide yearly updates, and make minor adjustments to policies issued by the ASH.
Personnel Operations Memorandum (POM) is an issuance that provides information and sets forth operational guidance from the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG). POMs are issued by the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service (SG). Under the direction of the SG, the Directors of the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations, the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment, and the Office of Reserve Affairs may issue POMs to make technical corrections to POMs, provide yearly updates, and make minor adjustments to information and operational guidance issued by the SG.
Commissioned Corps Strategic or Operational Plans (ST-PLAN or OP-PLAN) are a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished. Strategic Plans are issued by the ASH after development by the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) and/or Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR). Operational Plans may be issued by the ASH or the SG when the subject matter deals with Corps operational issues.
Commissioned Corps Pamphlets (PAMs or Pamphlets) are a brief formal operational account that sets forth the meaning or intent on a specific subject and are published in booklet form. PAMs are issued by the OSG and/or DCCPR.
Commissioned Corps Handbooks (HAN or Handbooks) are concise references providing specific information about a subject. Handbooks are issued by the OSG and/or DCCPR.