The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, has the authority to issue various awards, commendations, and other insignia to its members. These include individual honor awards, unit honor awards, service awards, training ribbons, special skill badges, and identification badges. The following PHSCC awards are listed in the service's order of precedence:[1][2][3]
Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Citation - the second highest unit decoration of the Public Health Service.
Public Health Service Unit Commendation - the third highest unit decoration of the Public Health Service.
Service and campaign awards
Public Health Service Smallpox Eradication Campaign Ribbon
Public Health Service Global Health Campaign Medal
Public Health Service Ebola Campaign Medal
Public Health Service Hazardous Duty Award
Public Health Service Foreign Duty Service Award
Public Health Service Special Assignment Service Award
Public Health Service Isolated Hardship Service Award
Public Health Service Crisis Response Service Award
Public Health Service Global Response Service Award
Public Health Service Response Service Award
Public Health Service National Emergency Preparedness Award
Public Health Service Recruitment Service Award[4]
Public Health Service Global Health Initiative Service Medal
Public Health Service Bicentennial Unit Commendation Award
Public Health Service Regular Corps Ribbon
Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon
Association and organization awards
The following awards are awarded by various associations and organizations related the PHS mission and may be worn on the uniform (in order of precedence shown) when attending a function of that association:[5]
Bronze letter "V" device worn on the Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, and the Outstanding Service Medals to indicate an award for valor.
5/16th inch gold stars are worn on the Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, Surgeon General's Exemplary Service, Outstanding Service, Commendation, Achievement, and PHS Citation Medals to indicate subsequent awards.
In lieu of five gold 5/16th inch stars, a silver 5/16th inch star is worn.
3/16th inch service stars in bronze are worn on campaign, unit, and service awards to indicate subsequent awards. In lieu of five bronze stars, a silver star is worn.
The Expeditionary Attachment is worn centered on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar.[7]
Commissioned Corps officers may wear two authorized special skills badges and two breast or identification badges on the Corps uniform. Badges of the USPHS take precedence over badges earned in other uniformed services.[3][8]