To maintain adequate staffing levels, the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service relies upon its Associate Recruiter Program (ARP), an all-volunteer program designed to encourage qualified candidates to seek appointment into the Corps. Daily operational oversight of the ARP is the responsibility of the Associate Recruiter Coordinator, while Associate Recruiter Leads (ARLs) are tasked with creating a network of Associate Recruiters (ARs) tasked with locating Corps officers who seek to volunteer in the program. Recruiters are the point of contact for new Corps accessions, and are assigned to billets in which the primary duties and responsibilities are related to recruiting.
As the public face of the Commissioned Corps in its efforts to bring only the most qualified and dedicated candidates into Federal service, officers who volunteer for ARP service must adhere to the highest standards of personal conduct and ethical behavior and display a strong dedication to the Corps missions and values. After completing the Basic Officer Training Course and being awarded the Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon, ARP hopefuls must complete a period of probationary Corps service. During this time, they must earn an overall performance rating of Above Average or higher on their COERs (Commissioned Officer’s Effectiveness Report) or a Satisfactory or higher Narrative statement if they have been assigned to a non-HHS organization.
Other ARP requirements include meeting the Corps’ Basic Level of Force Readiness and three references certifying their interest and commitment to carrying out recruiting duties, one from the officer’s immediate supervisor and two from Corps officers. Lastly, they have to take part in the Associate Recruiter Introductory Program, where they will learn the principles of recruitment, the ethical and legal responsibilities involved in recruiting, recruitment techniques and approaches, information on non-HHS organizations where recruits might be detailed to serve, and overall administration of the recruitment program.
While all Corps members serving in the ARP are issued identification badges appropriate to their assignment, only those who have served three consecutive three years in the program are eligible for the Recruitment Service Ribbon. Those three years must have been spent in a billet where recruitment is the primary duty and responsibility (i.e., Recruiters); alternatively, ribbons are awarded to those ARP officers who have maintained a current status in the ARP.
As a Recruiter, officers may be involved in establishing and implementing recruitment strategies and goals, developing policy, and coordinating initiatives and programs to maximize recruitment efforts. For ARs and ARLs, maintain current status requires them to participate in Update programs and other activities; these are delineated in Chapter 23 of the Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual.