Failing overseas screening question

feenstas

My husband (Navy) has orders to Japan for 3 years, starting early December. We are due in just a few weeks with our first baby. I know I can't get screened with baby until 6 weeks postpartum. But I'm looking over the overseas screening paperwork that I need to fill out, and due to health issues as a teen/young adult and endocrine issues currently, it's looking like I'm going to fail my overseas screening. Does anyone know what happens if the spouse fails? They are accompanied orders, but I've heard that they could change his orders completely (to remain in the US), or they could send him unaccompanied for three years. I'm really hoping they wouldn't send him for three years. 

Lissa832

A friend of ours has dependents that require specialized care. Due to his family, he is only able to be stationed at major bases that can accommodate his families' needs. He is able to do one year unaccompanied tours, but he is not able to PCS anywhere but major bases. He's USMC, so I don't know how the other branches work.

Avion22

My guess is that it might limit what base you can be stationed at, but like PP said, if it's a big base with a large medical center, you might still be fine.  We live overseas and are near the biggest military medical center in the country (not to mention one of the best hospitals, American or British, within a few hour radius).  

If they decide you can't live there at a all, then I'm pretty sure the longest unaccompanied tour is one year and not three.   Or, like you said, they could change his orders entirely.   

panicked228

I "failed" the EFMP screening when my husband had orders to Korea. I had to go through a bunch of paperwork reviews and sign off that I understood there was no ER at our post. I was able to go though. It really depends on the severity of the issue, the size of the post, and the services available there.

feenstas

Alright, thanks ladies! I'm still crossing my fingers and toes that they change his orders entirely (because who wants to move internationally with a brand spankin' new baby, right?) but if not, I'm sure the screening won't be an issue. If the longest they'd send him unaccompanied is 1 year, we can definitely handle that. 

Oasismomma

First, I'm pretty sure I was able to do my EFMP paperwork while I was pregnant (we moved to Germany when DS was 3 months old). Second, I am enrolled in EFMP due to a thyroid condition and I was approved for command sponsorship even though we are at a post without a hospital.

kforbs126

Are you enrolled in EFM because of your medical issues?  If not then that is why he would get orders like that, if they can't provide you the proper care in Japan.  And the Navy can send you unaccompanied for 2 or 3 years.  I know of one person in specific who got Japan orders unaccompanied without his wife and child.  He fought it and his command wouldn't approve them to move over there.  Not saying that it may happen to you but it depends on rank also.

kaitlin&kurth

HI, We live in Japan, have been stationed here for three years so far and one more year to go. The medical situation here is a little tricky, but most things can be dealt with. I am on a Navy base that only has a clinic and for anything major we have to go to the other Navy base about an hour and a half away. At the clinic they see regular sick call, routine pregnancy checkups, well baby checkups, minor biopsy things, etc. We do not have specialists (except for a pediatrician, we just got him) and everything is seen by the general physicians. At the other base there is a hospital where minor surgeries are performed, babies birthed, and many specialists so if you need one you go there (but typically have to get a referral from the doctor here first). Major surgeries are typically med-evac out to san diego and such. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions! 

feenstas

kforbs126 said:

Are you enrolled in EFM because of your medical issues?  If not then that is why he would get orders like that, if they can't provide you the proper care in Japan.  And the Navy can send you unaccompanied for 2 or 3 years.  I know of one person in specific who got Japan orders unaccompanied without his wife and child.  He fought it and his command wouldn't approve them to move over there.  Not saying that it may happen to you but it depends on rank also.

I'm in the process of becoming enrolled in the EFMP. They flat out cannot provide the proper treatment while in Japan. It's listed on their website and in bold letters on the Yokosuka OSS Disqualifications sheet. So he shouldn't have gotten orders there in the first place... but whatever. This is so stupid, it's not even funny. I'm honestly really pissed off that they gave him (the one with a baby due right before the big move and a wife with medical issues) Japan orders, but everyone else got easy places like Norfolk or San Diego. 

Chargersgrl33

feenstas said:

kforbs126 said:

Are you enrolled in EFM because of your medical issues?  If not then that is why he would get orders like that, if they can't provide you the proper care in Japan.  And the Navy can send you unaccompanied for 2 or 3 years.  I know of one person in specific who got Japan orders unaccompanied without his wife and child.  He fought it and his command wouldn't approve them to move over there.  Not saying that it may happen to you but it depends on rank also.

I'm in the process of becoming enrolled in the EFMP. They flat out cannot provide the proper treatment while in Japan. It's listed on their website and in bold letters on the Yokosuka OSS Disqualifications sheet. So he shouldn't have gotten orders there in the first place... but whatever. This is so stupid, it's not even funny. I'm honestly really pissed off that they gave him (the one with a baby due right before the big move and a wife with medical issues) Japan orders, but everyone else got easy places like Norfolk or San Diego. 

You do know you are in the military and they don't really care if you have a "brand spanking new baby" to tote along on a PCS?  Honestly what did you expect.  I hope they help you out but I also have known people in this position to end up away from their DH for 2 years because they tried to get out of orders and it didn't work in their favor. 

Please remember your DH is in the military and they don't have the time to check out your personal situation before they give you orders or move you somewhere.

Carnation77

Being in EFMP is a consideration in the assignment process. It does not guarantee he will never be assigned where family members cannot go due to EFMP or inadequate medical care.

Smudges*Mom

You are not even enrolled in EFMP yet, how are the people doing assignments supposed to know about your medical conditions?

Wanna hear funny? My DH missed half of my pregnancy, the difficult birth of our only child (who was conceived through IVF) and his first nine months because of a deployment. Then, a few years later, they moved us to Germany and DH deployed three months later--for eleven months. My DH was deployed for, basically, two out of four years. Less than ideal, but we are a military family and there are families out there dealing with worse situations.

I hope that your DH is able to get things worked out. Best of luck!