Critical Analysis of the United States Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program
Abstract
Appropriate medical care for the family is important to the mental health of the Active Duty member and to the mission of the Air Force. In the Air Force, one of the ways this is managed is through the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), assuring that when a member is selected for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), the new location has the medical capabilities to support the family. Medical clearance for an overseas PCS is mandated by DODI 1315.19, but the Air Force has expanded the clearance process to the Continental United States (CONUS) as well, which causes increased denial of CONUS PCS moves (for subjective reasons), increased stress for the AF member and the family, as well as wasting time and money for required medical and dental exams. I believe this process can be improved by eliminating both the educational component and the dental component of the EFMP. For the medical component, I recommend reducing the bases that require a medical clearance for PCS to either no medical clearances required in the Continental United States, to medical clearances required only for medically geographically remote bases, or create a tiered system based upon nearby medical facilities so that a medical clearance would only be needed if you go to a tier that has less medical capabilities. By implementing these recommendations, the EFMP can be improved saving both time and money and reducing the stress of the Active Duty member and the medical community.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2013
- Accession Number
- AD1018822
Entities
People
- Leigh A. Swanson
Organizations
- Air War College