Separating from the Commissioned Corps
There are two methods by which officers may separate from active duty in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service:
- Retirement
- Resignation (or Termination)
Separations functions are being managed by Separations Counselors. Questions on Separations should be addressed to PHSCCSeparations@hhs.gov. The Commissioned Corps Instruction on Separations (CCI 387.01) can be found here.
Retirement Information
Transitioning from Commissioned Corps life to civilian life is not always an easy task, but successful planning can be a big help. Commissioned Corps officers and their families need to plan their uniformed service retirement long before the application for retirement is submitted. Individuals who do not properly plan for retirement could potentially make avoidable mistakes.
At least 12-24 months before planned retirement, a Commissioned Corps officer and his or her family members should review the online Commissioned Corps Learning Management System (CCLMS) Retirement Seminar. They should also attend an in-person Retirement Seminar or Transition Assistance Program (TAP). These programs will assist the retiring Commissioned Corps officer with a smooth transition to retirement. Retirement types vary depending on your entry date into the Commissioned Corps. As of fiscal year 2016, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) created the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System (BRS), which includes all seven of the uniformed served of the United States. If you have questions on the Blended Retirement Systems, the FAQ page can be viewed here. The BRS includes a TSP component. Service members joining on or after January 1, 2018 will be automatically enrolled into a TSP, contributing 3% of their basic pay.
The deadline for submitting separation requests is 90 days from your projected last physical day at your duty station. There is a list of necessary forms that must be completed prior to retiring or resigning. Specific forms can be found in the Resources section below.
Retirement Pay
Retiree Pay
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Pay and Personnel Center located in Topeka, KS is the servicing payroll office for processing pay for retired officers of the Public Health Services (PHS) and their surviving annuitants. Post-retirement questions about retiree pay accounts should be directed to the USCG. Retiree pay is now serviced by the United States Coast Guard and retiree pay account processing takes 60-90 days post retirement. For more information on this visit the U.S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center for Retiree Self-Service.
Lump Sum Leave (LSL) Payment
The LSL audits to determine final leave balances eligible for payment are now handled by the Commissioned Corps Agency Liaisons and the Leave Coordinator within the Personnel and Career Management Branch. For questions regarding leave please contact your Commissioned Corps Liaison or Absence Request (HHS/OASH) Absencerequest@hhs.gov.
DD-214 Information
The DD Form 214 is the discharge certificate or certificate of release from active duty. Its purpose is to provide the officer, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other government agencies with a clear, concise summary of a person’s active duty and reserve component service as applicable, at the time of transfer, release, discharge, or change of component or status. This includes relevant data regarding the Service member’s service and the circumstances of termination. It is an authoritative source of personnel information for administrative purposes and for making enlistment or reenlistment eligibility determinations. PHS officers can initiate the DD Form 214 process three months before retirement or separation date with the assistance of separations counselor.
CCHQ has worked closely with our Department of Defense (DoD) counterparts and USPHS Commissioned Corps now has permission from the DoD to use this form. A May 24, 2016 memo from acting Undersecretary of Defense, authorized the use of DD Form 214. On August 10, 2020, the Assistant Secretary for Health approved the issuance of DD Form 214 and 215. Moreover, DoD INSTRUCTION 1336.01, states that this issuance applies to “The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, by agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, unless specifically indicated in this issuance.” All questions and inquiries may be sent to phsdd214@hhs.gov.
Insurance Information
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) offers low-cost term coverage for eligible service members. Benefits for signing up for SGLI include:
- Coverage up to the top limit of $400,000—in $50,000 increments
- 120 days of free coverage from the date you left the military
- Extension of free coverage for up to 2 years (if you’re totally disabled) when you leave the military.
Get information on the SGLI-Disability Extension - Part-time coverage (if you’re a Reserve member who doesn’t qualify for full-time coverage)
When you leave the military, you can apply for Veteran’s Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 1 year and 120 days from your discharge for up to the amount of coverage you had through SGLI. You can also convert your SGLI policy into a civilian policy within 120 days from the date you left the military. There is a potential to keep your coverage for up to 2 years after the date you left the military if you meet the requirements listed here. To learn more about SGLI or VGLI, see the resource pages below.
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) provides short-term financial support to help eligible service members recover from a severe injury. If you were covered by SGLI and experienced a traumatic injury while serving in the military, find out how to file a claim for TSGLI or appeal a past decision.