U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > General Forums > Military Life and Issues
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
 
Old 05-19-2012, 07:42 PM
 
Location: Boonies
2,337 posts, read 3,452,910 times
Reputation: 3341

Advertisements

Hi, I am wondering if there is anyone here that has accompanied their spouse overseas for a one or two year assignment? If so, what did you have to do to be cleared by the military to join him/her? Did you have to have a wellness exam?
Thanks.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 05-19-2012, 08:55 PM
 
Location: New Mexico U.S.A.
26,530 posts, read 50,772,085 times
Reputation: 31302
You normally have to be legally married and the military member has to be assigned on an "accompanied tour".

I was in Europe for 42 months with my wife and two children...

"Wellness exam"? They have to be able to be medically fit, or, not have serious medical issues which might prevent their going overseas...


Rich

Last edited by Poncho_NM; 05-19-2012 at 10:02 PM..
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-22-2012, 06:12 PM
 
Location: Boonies
2,337 posts, read 3,452,910 times
Reputation: 3341
Thank you for your reply. Did you and your children have to provide 5 years worth of medical records to the military medical department? We've had forms that our physicians have filled out to say that they thought we were able to go over for a year, but now they are asking for 5 yrs of records. We do not have diabetes, seizure disorder, heart disease, asthma, cancer etc., And there's always one more form to fill out!!!I think our doctors are going to be sick of signing stuff after awhile!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-22-2012, 06:34 PM
 
Location: New Mexico U.S.A.
26,530 posts, read 50,772,085 times
Reputation: 31302
Quote:
Originally Posted by tarragon View Post
Thank you for your reply. Did you and your children have to provide 5 years worth of medical records to the military medical department? We've had forms that our physicians have filled out to say that they thought we were able to go over for a year, but now they are asking for 5 yrs of records. We do not have diabetes, seizure disorder, heart disease, asthma, cancer etc., And there's always one more form to fill out!!!I think our doctors are going to be sick of signing stuff after awhile!
Our children were born in a military hospital and had their own military medical records for their whole life up to that point. My wife also had used military hospitals for 10 years prior. I was active duty. We had some paperwork, but none of us had any medical conditions that would prevent any of us from being stationed overseas...

Last edited by Poncho_NM; 05-22-2012 at 09:11 PM..
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-22-2012, 08:38 PM
 
Location: Chesterfield, VA
1,222 posts, read 5,082,541 times
Reputation: 551
When we PCSed to Alaksa (yup, Uncle Sam considers that overseas!), I had to have a physical. I do remember having to move heaven and earth to get shot records from my doctor back home so I could get cleared. Funny thing is, I needed a tetanus booster, but since I was pregnant I couldn't have it!! Still went!

I would recommend just asking them why you are having to get records for that far back if you can prove your immunizations are up-to-date. I have learned that if I question, even with the Army, I can normally get an answer! Good luck!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-23-2012, 04:46 AM
 
Location: Richmond, VA
4,892 posts, read 6,159,098 times
Reputation: 6949
Quote:
Originally Posted by tarragon View Post
Thank you for your reply. Did you and your children have to provide 5 years worth of medical records to the military medical department? We've had forms that our physicians have filled out to say that they thought we were able to go over for a year, but now they are asking for 5 yrs of records. We do not have diabetes, seizure disorder, heart disease, asthma, cancer etc., And there's always one more form to fill out!!!I think our doctors are going to be sick of signing stuff after awhile!
They're looking for all that stuff for your own good. A lot of the overseas accompanied assignments may not have complete medical support, especially for 'exceptional' family members. Exceptional does not always mean developmentally disabled-sometimes it's just a medical issue that needs regular treatment or emergency treatment, and one year is not always enough time for those conditions to be manifest.

I'm not saying you would ever do this, but I could easily see a family whining and complaining about having to fill out some forms, getting to some assignment (say, in a remote-ish base in Turkey), then filing a Congressional because they can't do some_random_surgical_procedure in a clinic staffed with a PA and two medics, and the local doctor is not up to an American standard.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-23-2012, 05:29 PM
 
Location: Boonies
2,337 posts, read 3,452,910 times
Reputation: 3341
It is the "exceptional family program" and our doctors looked at their criteria and checked off does not meet criteria for exceptional family program (that was the updated form) and another form was, "not warranted." THEN there was a two page form with a bunch of medical questions like do you or ever had...seizures, diabetes, heart condition, asthma amongst other stuff...and then there was a section regarding mental health (currently mine is being tested due to this stuff) and then a disabilities, special education needs... and our doctors signed off. I have hypertension which is treated by a general practioner and I take meds, but even still it didn't meet the criteria for the exceptional family program because I do not need a specialist. I actually mostly treat with a PA. Express Scripts has set me up for mail order meds.. etc., My provider said that I don't need any specialist's attention. Funny thing...they haven't even asked about immunizations, only a papsmear! LOL! I just find 5 years worth of records a little intrusive as I have mention of other family member issues, work etc., mentioned!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > General Forums > Military Life and Issues
Similar Threads

All times are GMT -6.

© 2005-2023, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top