The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps is set to receive its first official physical training uniform (PTU), thanks to collaboration with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Slated for release in December 2020, these Commissioned Corps Uniforms will closely resemble the Navy’s optional PTUs, marking a significant step in uniform standardization for the USPHS.
NEXCOM and USPHS Partnership in Uniform Development
NEXCOM, which already provides various uniform items to the USPHS Commissioned Corps, including dinner dress, service dress, and summer white uniforms, stepped in to address the need for a dedicated PTU. Paul Shields, NEXCOM Associate Director for the Uniform Program Management Office, highlighted the existing relationship, stating, “NEXCOM has supported the USPHS Commissioned Corps for some time… What they don’t have from a uniform perspective is a physical training uniform and that is what we are working right now.” The new line of commissioned corps uniforms will include essential PT apparel such as t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, and hoodies, with plans to potentially add a fitness suit in the future, mirroring the Navy’s uniform offerings. This approach ensures consistency and leverages the Navy’s established uniform standards for the USPHS.
Emulating Navy Style with Distinctive Branding
While the style of the commissioned corps uniforms takes cues from the Navy PTU, a key differentiator is the incorporation of the USPHS unique logo. Lindsay Vance Bean, NEXCOM Divisional Merchandise Manager of Uniforms, explained how the project utilized the Navy’s existing “Forged by the Sea” program as a foundation. “USPHS requested our assistance in procuring a physical training uniform that included a high performance shirt, high performance short, fleece hoodie and sweat pant,” Bean stated. “Luckily we already had these components on the Navy side with the ‘Forged by the Sea’ program. They wanted to retain the design properties of ‘Forged by the Sea’ but with the addition of their unique logo.” This collaborative approach streamlined the development process, allowing for customization while utilizing pre-existing uniform components.
Rigorous Testing for Durability and Logo Integrity
Ensuring the quality and longevity of the commissioned corps uniforms was a crucial aspect of the project. NEXCOM undertook thorough testing, particularly focusing on the durability of the USPHS logo. Louise Caulfield, Group Leader for Uniforms and Certification Team at NEXCOM’s Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF), detailed the testing process: “As far as the logo went, my team developed the artwork and received USPHS approval. From there, we worked with our industry partners to make sure that their approved logo could be put on the fabric. We will be doing some laundering tests to make sure that the logo can withstand up to 50 wash cycles.” These stringent tests guarantee that the commissioned corps uniforms will meet the demands of regular physical training and maintain a professional appearance over time.
Navigating Challenges and Maintaining Timelines
The development of the commissioned corps uniforms faced challenges, including the widespread COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted timelines and resources. Despite these obstacles, NEXCOM and USPHS teams worked effectively to mitigate delays. Bean noted, “COVID-19 has created issues from a staffing perspective with our vendors at some point, but overall, we have been able to maintain that entire timeline and push things forward.” This resilience and efficient teamwork ensured the project remained on track for its December 2020 launch. Shields emphasized the rapid progress, stating, “We started working on this project in May… it has only been about six months,” highlighting the swift turnaround from initial discussions to production.
Looking Ahead: Continued Collaboration
The successful development of the physical training uniform for the USPHS Commissioned Corps underscores the strong partnership between NEXCOM and USPHS. NEXCOM expresses optimism about future collaborations, with Shields stating, “The partnership that we have generated with the USPHS and the collaboration we’ve had will lend itself to future projects. So, if USPHS decides it has uniform needs in the future, we stand by ready to assist them.” This initial project paves the way for continued cooperation, ensuring the USPHS Commissioned Corps has access to high-quality, standardized uniforms to support their service.
