COA describes itself as a "nationally recognized member-based organization" formed to "protect and enhance the public health and safety of the United States by supporting and advancing the interests of the Commissioned Corps and its officers."

It describes itself as the only organization "that works exclusively on behalf of active, inactive, and retired" USPHS Commissioned Corps officers.

[5] In 2002, COA worked through the Military Coalition to lead an effort to defeat a proposal by the George W. Bush Administration to classify USPHS Commissioned Corps officers as civil servants for purposes of compensation.

The board consists of the executive director of COA in a non-voting, ex officio capacity and 22 elected, voting members.

[3][8] It also describes itself as a proponent for a major transformation of the USPHS Commissioned Corps to better position it to meet new public health challenges in the 21st century.