Um, why does the head of the CDC wear a military uniform?

[CTyankee]

I saw an officer of the CDC on the news tonight and she was in uniform and I couldn't understand it.

My memory sucks...

[Proud liberal 80]

1. https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/United_States_Uniformed_Services

https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/United_States_Uniformed_Services

[CTyankee]

3. OK,I get that. But why the military? Why not a civilian service like every other service that is non

military?

[hlthe2b]

2. CDC is staffed by both civil service and officers in the US Public Health Service

They are commissioned officers---the USPHS is a uniformed service and wear the same uniforms as the Navy, but with Public Health Service insignia. The ranks are the same as in the Navy.

A bit of the history: For more than 200 years, men and women have served on the front lines of our nation’s public health in what is today called the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. The Commissioned Corps traces its beginnings back to the U.S. Marine Hospital Service protecting against the spread of disease from sailors returning from foreign ports and maintaining the health of immigrants entering the country. Currently, Commissioned Corps officers are involved in health care delivery to underserved and vulnerable populations, disease control and prevention, biomedical research, food and drug regulation, mental health and drug abuse services, and response efforts for natural and man-made disasters as an essential component of the largest public health program in the world.

[CTyankee]

5. thanks so much for your detailed response.

[hlthe2b]

6. most welcome... I'd imagine most people wonder about that.

[Adrahil]

7. FYI

... The Surgeon General is the head of the USPHS, and that's why they wear a uniform.

[MissB]

4. Kinda like working for the army corps of engineers

Both uniformed and civilian workers