Females serving in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service wear the Service Dress Blue Uniform (SDB) throughout the year at all official functions, events, ceremonies, or situation where the more formal uniforms (Formal, Full, and Dinner Dress) are not prescribed and at which the civilian attendees would be expected to wear coats and ties.
Additionally, the Heads of the Department of Health and Human Services Operating Division
(OPDIV) and Staff Division (STAFFDIV) Heads may prescribe the officers under their jurisdiction to wear the SDB Uniform for ceremonial occasions or for other appropriate circumstances on a specific day and for a specific reason. They may also require that female officers must wear the slacks and Oxford shoes rather than the optional skirt and pumps. But the OPDIV/STAFFDIV Heads are not authorized to issue general or blanket directives concerning any other uniforms.
The Service Dress Blue Uniform is the most commonly worn Female dress uniform in the USPHS Commissioned Corps, and it also serves as the basis of the Dinner Dress Blue Uniform, which is worn at Black Tie functions and ceremonies.