"PHS has historically strove to maintain parity with the other services in terms of pay and benefits. I believe
that if we are ever to achieve true parity as a sister service, parity has to be acknowledged as a two way
street (parity is not just "me too" for pay and benefits.) My question has two parts:
1. PHS is the only service that does not have mandatory height/weight standards, regular physical fitness
testing, mandatory daily wear of uniforms or line authority over its own service members. Do you view these
issues as important parity issues and if so, is there a way to address them?
2. What in your view is the significance of the commissioned entrusted to an officer?"
LCDR Calvin Edwards
After VADM Carmona commended LCDR Edwards on his"excellent question", he replied to be in support of the daily uniform wear, "if you sign up for a uniform service, you should expect to wear a uniform". VADM Carmona went on to comment that he has already been in contact with the proper authorities in our sister services in the event that the demonstration of physical proficiency should become a requirement in the USPHS. VADM Carmona qualified his comments by stating that he is in the process of absorbing the culture of the USPHS Commissioned Corps and would implement new standards of readiness, "if this is the direction that Commissioned Corps Officers wish to go".
During his response, much of VADM Carmona's commentary paralleled the philosophy already asserted in activities sponsored by the Fort Detrick Branch (such as the Miltary Standards Cadre). One of Fort Detrick Branch's ongoing efforst is to help foster readiness standards among PHS officers. "After all, if we are going to respond, we must be ready to respond" further remarked VADM Carmona.