JOAG HISTORY:

In 1999, the leadership of the Commissioned Corps recognized the critical importance of developing a means for the Corps to obtain advice and consultation from its junior officers in formulating policy and developing career-related programs.  RADM Michael Blackwell, Chief of Staff, convened a meeting of selected junior officers and formalized the Junior Officer Ad-Hoc Advisory Group (JOAHAG).  The JOAHAG membership was charged to develop and implement an advisory group for PHS junior officers.  The first priority of the JOAHAG was to assess the needs of junior officers and to develop an advisory group to meet those assessed needs.  The second priority of the JOAHAG was to develop the Charter to govern the advisory group.  The third priority of the JOAHAG was to formulate and implement Committees to promote recruitment, leadership and professional development of junior officers in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

The Junior Officer Ad-Hoc Advisory Group successfully developed and implemented the Junior Officer Advisory Group (JOAG).  On December 7, 2001, VADM David Satcher, Surgeon General, officially chartered the Junior Officer Advisory Group.

MISSION:

The Junior Officer Advisory Group provides advice and consultation to the Surgeon General, Chief Professional Officers (CPO), Professional Advisory Committees (PAC), and other Commissioned Corps groups on issues relating to professional practice and personnel activities affecting junior officers in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.