BOTC October 29-31, 2005
Approximately 80 Commissioned Officers completed the
three-day Basic Officer
Training Course (BOTC) in Atlanta recently. The
course, hosted by CDC and ATSDR, was conducted by CAPT Dana Taylor, Director
of the Commissioned Officer Training Academy
(COTA) and Master Instructor. In addition to CAPT Taylor, the curriculum
was augmented by CAPT John Steward, CDC, CDR Alan Parham, ATSDR, and LCDR
Amanda Dunnick, CDC. CAPT Sven Rodenbeck, ATSDR, and CDR Dan Cline, CDC,
also presented important parts of the course. Course administrator was Mr.
Aaron Arnold, CDC.
The course was held on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday following the Epidemic
Intelligence Service (EIS) Fall Surveillance Course. This allowed most of
the first-year EIS officers to attend the course. Several senior officers
attended as well. Attendees came from all parts of the United States, including
Hawaii, and from Pakistan. In addition to CDC and ATSDR, other federal agencies
represented included the Indian Health Service, the Food and Drug Administration,
and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The BOTC curriculum emphasizes instruction on the expectations of a PHS commissioned
officer as a officer of one of the seven uniformed services. Public Health
Service history, military bearing and courtesy, career development, promotions,
leave, compensation, awards, and resource utilization are some of the many
topics introduced during this course. Students who completed all three days
were presented with a certificate of completion and a COTA medallion. Those
students who continue on to complete the Independent
Officer Training Course (IOTC) will be awarded the Commissioned
Officer Training Ribbon.