Yes, but only if the needs of the Service can also be met. In some cases, accompanied travel to overseas locations may be denied if the services to meet the special medical needs of the family member are unavailable in that location.

Primary considerations in assigning a service member are the service member's current qualifications and ability to fill a valid requirement. Other factors such as availability, volunteer status, time on station, and other criteria are secondary. 

Accompanied travel overseas may be denied if the required services to meet the special medical needs of the family member are unavailable. The military Services have flexibility when determining screening procedures when assigning a family member with special needs to geographic areas that are not considered overseas. Service members may not be denied an essential overseas duty assignment solely because they have children who are or may be eligible for early intervention services (EIS) or special education services.

Yes, but only if the needs of the Service can also be met. In some cases, accompanied travel to overseas locations may be denied if the services to meet the special medical needs of the family member are unavailable in that location.

Primary considerations in assigning a service member are the service member's current qualifications and ability to fill a valid requirement. Other factors such as availability, volunteer status, time on station, and other criteria are secondary. 

Accompanied travel overseas may be denied if the required services to meet the special medical needs of the family member are unavailable. The military Services have flexibility when determining screening procedures when assigning a family member with special needs to geographic areas that are not considered overseas. Service members may not be denied an essential overseas duty assignment solely because they have children who are or may be eligible for early intervention services (EIS) or special education services.

Sponsors of children with disabilities may be assigned to overseas locations provided there is (1) a valid requirement for their occupational specialty and grade and (2) an assignment location with the specific special education and medically related services likely to be needed. A pinpoint assignment may then be made to a location that meets both criteria. A final assignment selection is made after coordination with points of contact for the responsible Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) region and the military medical department providing medically related services.

Service members for whom there is no suitable overseas assignment match can be removed from overseas orders provided there will be no adverse impact on their careers or the military mission. The Services are not required to make pinpoint assignments based on educational needs to stateside installations with Department of Defense Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS). DDESS provides a full continuum of services just as state and local school systems do.

Sponsors of children with disabilities may be assigned to overseas locations provided there is (1) a valid requirement for their occupational specialty and grade and (2) an assignment location with the specific special education and medically related services likely to be needed. A pinpoint assignment may then be made to a location that meets both criteria. A final assignment selection is made after coordination with points of contact for the responsible Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) region and the military medical department providing medically related services.

Service members for whom there is no suitable overseas assignment match can be removed from overseas orders provided there will be no adverse impact on their careers or the military mission. The Services are not required to make pinpoint assignments based on educational needs to stateside installations with Department of Defense Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS). DDESS provides a full continuum of services just as state and local school systems do.

Preschool- and school-age family members of sponsors nominated for assignment overseas areas, where family members are authorized, must be screened within the twelve months before their report date to the overseas duty location. When screening identifies a child who may require special education, a complete evaluation including medical, developmental, psychological and educational assessments, or a review of recent evaluations, must be completed. Information gathered from primary care physicians, current educational records, and evaluations must be reviewed by a designated medical authority who recommends the services the child will most likely require. Medical and educational information, as well as the recommendations of the medical authority must be transferred through appropriate channels to the service member’s assignments branch before the service member can be authorized to travel at government expense on a command-sponsored tour.

Preschool- and school-age family members of sponsors nominated for assignment overseas areas, where family members are authorized, must be screened within the twelve months before their report date to the overseas duty location. When screening identifies a child who may require special education, a complete evaluation including medical, developmental, psychological and educational assessments, or a review of recent evaluations, must be completed. Information gathered from primary care physicians, current educational records, and evaluations must be reviewed by a designated medical authority who recommends the services the child will most likely require. Medical and educational information, as well as the recommendations of the medical authority must be transferred through appropriate channels to the service member’s assignments branch before the service member can be authorized to travel at government expense on a command-sponsored tour.

Yes. The Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1315.19 "Authorizing Special Needs Family Members Travel Overseas at Government Expense" assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for authorizing family member travel at government expense for active duty service members who are assigned overseas and who have family members that meet the DoD criteria for identifying a family member with special needs. DoD Instruction 1315.19 also provides guidance for processing civilian employees who have family members with special needs for an overseas assignment.

Yes. The Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1315.19 "Authorizing Special Needs Family Members Travel Overseas at Government Expense" assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for authorizing family member travel at government expense for active duty service members who are assigned overseas and who have family members that meet the DoD criteria for identifying a family member with special needs. DoD Instruction 1315.19 also provides guidance for processing civilian employees who have family members with special needs for an overseas assignment.

Service providers can help families prepare for overseas assignments by explaining the transition process, helping families see the value of adequate planning, and helping them understand that some supports and services may be unavailable overseas. If the family has a school-aged child with special needs, the installation EFMP service provider should also encourage the family to coordinate with schools at the overseas location to ensure a smooth transition for the child prior to the family's relocation.

Service providers can help families prepare for overseas assignments by explaining the transition process, helping families see the value of adequate planning, and helping them understand that some supports and services may be unavailable overseas. If the family has a school-aged child with special needs, the installation EFMP service provider should also encourage the family to coordinate with schools at the overseas location to ensure a smooth transition for the child prior to the family's relocation.

Service providers should explain that host countries do not have the same requirements as the United States for providing accommodations for people with disabilities, such as wheelchair access, ramps, etc. Therefore, access to the local community (off-installation) may be limited, especially for individuals with physical disabilities. Families may also find themselves isolated from others with similar challenges or life experiences.

Service providers should explain that host countries do not have the same requirements as the United States for providing accommodations for people with disabilities, such as wheelchair access, ramps, etc. Therefore, access to the local community (off-installation) may be limited, especially for individuals with physical disabilities. Families may also find themselves isolated from others with similar challenges or life experiences.

EFMP Managers should ensure that families enrolled in the EFMP understand the available resources as well as the limitations to accessing resources overseas. The same level of family services may not available on installations overseas. Upon request, the EFMP Manager at the service member's current installation can contact the family center EFMP Manager at the future installation to inquire about relevant services and programs or can visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and contact their office directly. The EFMP Manager may also provide the family with point of contact information for the DoD school, medical facility, and other relevant programs at the future installation. The EFMP Manager or the family member who has worked directly with the future installation EFMP Manager should be able to gather enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not to accept accompanied orders to the location.

EFMP Managers should ensure that families enrolled in the EFMP understand the available resources as well as the limitations to accessing resources overseas. The same level of family services may not available on installations overseas. Upon request, the EFMP Manager at the service member's current installation can contact the family center EFMP Manager at the future installation to inquire about relevant services and programs or can visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and contact their office directly. The EFMP Manager may also provide the family with point of contact information for the DoD school, medical facility, and other relevant programs at the future installation. The EFMP Manager or the family member who has worked directly with the future installation EFMP Manager should be able to gather enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not to accept accompanied orders to the location.

Service members in the Reserve Component (RC) are eligible, and in some cases required, to enroll in their Service’s special needs program. Identifying RC Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) is a challenge because they are not routinely screened for overseas assignments. Service members are normally entitled to program benefits only while on active duty for more than thirty days; thus, they frequently do not receive adequate information about special needs programs and fail to recognize any benefit in enrolling. When appropriate, RC service members should be advised that not enrolling could affect their eligibility for TRICARE special needs benefits through its Extended Health Care Option (ECHO), which requires enrollment. All RC personnel being mobilized for active duty should understand and weigh the benefits of TRICARE versus a civilian health care option. It is especially important for those with exceptional family members.

Service members in the Reserve Component (RC) are eligible, and in some cases required, to enroll in their Service’s special needs program. Identifying RC Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) is a challenge because they are not routinely screened for overseas assignments. Service members are normally entitled to program benefits only while on active duty for more than thirty days; thus, they frequently do not receive adequate information about special needs programs and fail to recognize any benefit in enrolling. When appropriate, RC service members should be advised that not enrolling could affect their eligibility for TRICARE special needs benefits through its Extended Health Care Option (ECHO), which requires enrollment. All RC personnel being mobilized for active duty should understand and weigh the benefits of TRICARE versus a civilian health care option. It is especially important for those with exceptional family members.

Depending on the branch of Service, National Guard and Reserve service members may be required to enroll in the EFMP, just as active duty service members are.

• Army: Army National Guard Soldiers, with exceptional family members (EFMs), serving on Title 10, United States Code (USC) or Title 32, USC orders are required to enroll in the program. Army Reserve Soldiers, who have EFMs, serving in the Active Guard Reserve program are also required to enroll in the program.
• Marine Corps: Active Marine Corps Reservists are required to enroll in the EFMP if they have a family member that meets the DoD criteria for having a special need. EFMP enrolled active Reservists on Inactive Reserve status will be assigned to the Temporary ("T") EFMP enrollment category.
• Navy: The Navy currently does not require Navy Reservists to enroll in the EFMP.
• Air Force: The Air Force does not require Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members to enroll in the EFMP.

Depending on the branch of Service, National Guard and Reserve service members may be required to enroll in the EFMP, just as active duty service members are.

• Army: Army National Guard Soldiers, with exceptional family members (EFMs), serving on Title 10, United States Code (USC) or Title 32, USC orders are required to enroll in the program. Army Reserve Soldiers, who have EFMs, serving in the Active Guard Reserve program are also required to enroll in the program.
• Marine Corps: Active Marine Corps Reservists are required to enroll in the EFMP if they have a family member that meets the DoD criteria for having a special need. EFMP enrolled active Reservists on Inactive Reserve status will be assigned to the Temporary ("T") EFMP enrollment category.
• Navy: The Navy currently does not require Navy Reservists to enroll in the EFMP.
• Air Force: The Air Force does not require Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members to enroll in the EFMP.

Although services members enrolled in an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) receive special consideration for assignments, they do not receive special consideration for their personal and family readiness in the event of a mobilization or deployment. Most special needs families know that the extended absence of a primary caregiver requires careful planning and preparation. In addition to making sure their EFMP enrollment status is current and they have the required wills and powers of attorney (addressed during deployment processing), service members should be encouraged to consider maintaining a Family Care Plan. 

Although normally required only for single and dual military parents, a Family Care Plan is also a good idea for all special needs families in case the exceptional family member's primary caregiver needs assistance or becomes unable to provide care.  More information about Family Care Plans can be found in the following regulations:

• DoD Instruction 1342.19, "Family Care Plans"
• Army Regulation 600-20, "Army Command Policy," Paragraph 5.5
• Marine Corps Order 1740.13A, "Family Care Plans"
• Navy Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 1740.4D, "U.S. Navy Family Care Policy"
• Air Force Instruction 36-2908, "Family Care Plans"

Although services members enrolled in an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) receive special consideration for assignments, they do not receive special consideration for their personal and family readiness in the event of a mobilization or deployment. Most special needs families know that the extended absence of a primary caregiver requires careful planning and preparation. In addition to making sure their EFMP enrollment status is current and they have the required wills and powers of attorney (addressed during deployment processing), service members should be encouraged to consider maintaining a Family Care Plan. 

Although normally required only for single and dual military parents, a Family Care Plan is also a good idea for all special needs families in case the exceptional family member's primary caregiver needs assistance or becomes unable to provide care.  More information about Family Care Plans can be found in the following regulations:

• DoD Instruction 1342.19, "Family Care Plans"
• Army Regulation 600-20, "Army Command Policy," Paragraph 5.5
• Marine Corps Order 1740.13A, "Family Care Plans"
• Navy Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 1740.4D, "U.S. Navy Family Care Policy"
• Air Force Instruction 36-2908, "Family Care Plans"

In contrast to distrust of enrollment in a special needs program, some service members have unrealistic expectations about the benefits of enrollment, believing that it will:

• Permit them to select their duty stations
• Make them ineligible for deployment or unaccompanied tours of duty
• Give them priority for housing
• Allow them to serve in a permanent location  

Installation service providers should be able to explain that enrollment only entitles a service member to have his family's special needs considered during the assignment process. It does not limit a service member's military duty obligations. When a service member with a severely disabled exceptional family member is allowed to "homestead," it is only to an area where the needs of the Service and the Exceptional Family Member (EFM) can both be met and does not preclude unaccompanied tours or deployments.

In contrast to distrust of enrollment in a special needs program, some service members have unrealistic expectations about the benefits of enrollment, believing that it will:

• Permit them to select their duty stations
• Make them ineligible for deployment or unaccompanied tours of duty
• Give them priority for housing
• Allow them to serve in a permanent location  

Installation service providers should be able to explain that enrollment only entitles a service member to have his family's special needs considered during the assignment process. It does not limit a service member's military duty obligations. When a service member with a severely disabled exceptional family member is allowed to "homestead," it is only to an area where the needs of the Service and the Exceptional Family Member (EFM) can both be met and does not preclude unaccompanied tours or deployments.

When special needs become known in a location where needed services are not readily available or when an assignment could cause undue hardship for a special needs family, service members may have options such as early return of their family members from overseas locations, humanitarian/compassionate reassignment, deferment, or deletion of assignment orders. Each Service has similar policies that require the service member to request the action in accordance with military personnel procedures and support it with appropriate professional documentation. Requests are generally considered on a case-by-case basis after other means to resolve problems have been exhausted. When requests are based on special needs, enrollment in the Service's Exceptional Family Member/special needs program is required immediately. However, enrollment is not, by itself, a valid reason for service members to request humanitarian actions.

When special needs become known in a location where needed services are not readily available or when an assignment could cause undue hardship for a special needs family, service members may have options such as early return of their family members from overseas locations, humanitarian/compassionate reassignment, deferment, or deletion of assignment orders. Each Service has similar policies that require the service member to request the action in accordance with military personnel procedures and support it with appropriate professional documentation. Requests are generally considered on a case-by-case basis after other means to resolve problems have been exhausted. When requests are based on special needs, enrollment in the Service's Exceptional Family Member/special needs program is required immediately. However, enrollment is not, by itself, a valid reason for service members to request humanitarian actions.

No. Each of the military Services has flexibility when determining screening procedures when assigning a family member with special needs to geographic areas that are not considered overseas. The following pages provide further detail on the process for each branch of Service:

• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy
• Air Force

No. Each of the military Services has flexibility when determining screening procedures when assigning a family member with special needs to geographic areas that are not considered overseas. The following pages provide further detail on the process for each branch of Service:

• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy
• Air Force

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is a resource available on MilitaryHOMEFRONT that provides contact information for programs and services, maps and directions, links to comprehensive location overviews, and community points of interest for military installations worldwide. Family Service Centers located on military installations, both in the continental United States and overseas, provide a wide variety of support services for families with special needs members including enrollment and support for those already enrolled in the EFMP. Contact information for installation services can be found under the program/services titled "Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS)," "Enrollment/EFMP," "Exceptional Family Member Program/Special Needs, and "Family Support/EFMP."

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is a resource available on MilitaryHOMEFRONT that provides contact information for programs and services, maps and directions, links to comprehensive location overviews, and community points of interest for military installations worldwide. Family Service Centers located on military installations, both in the continental United States and overseas, provide a wide variety of support services for families with special needs members including enrollment and support for those already enrolled in the EFMP. Contact information for installation services can be found under the program/services titled "Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS)," "Enrollment/EFMP," "Exceptional Family Member Program/Special Needs, and "Family Support/EFMP."

Some service members perceive enrollment in their Service's special needs program as negative despite ongoing efforts to educate all personnel about programs and dispel myths. Service member distrust of programs is usually based on one or more of the following misperceptions:

• Enrollment will force the service member into assignments that will hinder career advancement.
• Enrollment will be a factor considered in promotion decisions and/or reenlistment approval.
• Enrollment will limit opportunities for accompanied overseas assignments.  

Mandatory unit education programs and installation awareness campaigns can be used to attempt to correct these misperceptions. When suspicions about enrollment are encountered, service members should be informed that avoiding enrollment will be even more detrimental to his/her career because it will create avoidable problems such as cancellation or modification of orders, early return of family members from overseas, and possible disciplinary action. 

If service members cite concerns about privacy of personal information as a reason to avoid enrollment, service providers should advise them that information obtained through evaluating, coding, and enrolling Exceptional Family Member (EFM) sponsors is safeguarded and disclosed according to each Service's privacy program. Detailers, assignment managers, selection boards, and the service member's chain of command do not have access to the information on which enrollment is based.

Some service members perceive enrollment in their Service's special needs program as negative despite ongoing efforts to educate all personnel about programs and dispel myths. Service member distrust of programs is usually based on one or more of the following misperceptions:

• Enrollment will force the service member into assignments that will hinder career advancement.
• Enrollment will be a factor considered in promotion decisions and/or reenlistment approval.
• Enrollment will limit opportunities for accompanied overseas assignments.  

Mandatory unit education programs and installation awareness campaigns can be used to attempt to correct these misperceptions. When suspicions about enrollment are encountered, service members should be informed that avoiding enrollment will be even more detrimental to his/her career because it will create avoidable problems such as cancellation or modification of orders, early return of family members from overseas, and possible disciplinary action. 

If service members cite concerns about privacy of personal information as a reason to avoid enrollment, service providers should advise them that information obtained through evaluating, coding, and enrolling Exceptional Family Member (EFM) sponsors is safeguarded and disclosed according to each Service's privacy program. Detailers, assignment managers, selection boards, and the service member's chain of command do not have access to the information on which enrollment is based.