A required component of seven dress and service uniforms and an optional item with two formal uniforms, the male Combination Cap worn by Full Officers (O-1 to O-4) in the USPHS Commissioned Corps bears a strong resemblance to the U.S. Navy’s cap for its Officers in the same grades.
The U.S. Navy’s Combination Cap for O-1 to O-4 Officers features a gold chin strap, one method of differentiation from Chief Petty Officers (who wear a black chin strap). Such a distinction is not necessary in the Officer-only USPHS Commissioned Corps’ Combination Cap, which has a similar gold chin strap but which also has a 1/16-inch horizontal maroon band running the strap’s full length. (The chin strap with the red band is not authorized for the Combination Cap.)
Front and center on the USPHS Combination Cap is the Corps’ cap device consisting of a shield of 13 stars and 13 stripes mounted on a crossed fouled anchor and caduceus and surmounted by a spread eagle; although the embroidered cap device is no longer authorized for wear, we offer it as a service to collectors and to veterans. Like USN Combo Cap for its Junior Officers (O-1 to O-4), this USPHS Full Officer’s Cap has a plain black visor.