Antarctica is remote, with a harsh environment and limited medical facilities. Because of this, all grantees, employees, and technical representatives are required to pass stringent medical and dental examinations before deploying to the Ice. The process creates a large amount of paperwork for you to fill out, and while we understand it may seem cumbersome, we hope that you find it worthwhile for the adventure on which you are about to embark.

For more details about deploying to the Ice, read the USAP Participant Guide.

The Antarctic Support Contractor (ASC) processes all USAP participant deployment paperwork.

DISCLAIMER

USAP medical and travel qualification forms are only to be completed and submitted by individuals who have received valid offer letters of employment and/or official National Science Foundation approval for deployment to Antarctica. Submissions without valid offers or approvals do not constitute an obligation on the part of the USAP for employment or deployment

To begin the deployment process follow the below steps:

NOTE: ASC no longer mails deployment packets to potential participants. If for some reason you have problems printing the forms, send an email to either polmedpq@utmb.edu or deploy@usap.gov (depending on the forms you cannot print: medical vs. travel related).

1. Print the Medical and Dental Checklist for Deployment Clearance to Antarctica that ASC emailed to you, bring it with you to all of your medical appointments, and use it as a reference to complete the Physical Qualification (PQ) process.
    
2. Go to the following web site to print all medical forms:
   
   Medical Deployment Packet
    
3. Complete all required laboratory tests, and be sure to bring the Required Labs document with you to each appointment (the document is included in the packet of forms).
    
4. Mail or fax your completed medical forms at least eight weeks prior to your deployment to the following address:
   
   NOTE: Do not submit completed medical forms via email; any forms received by email are disposed of without action.
   
   ASC Medical
   UTMB Health Center for Polar Medical Operations
   Levin Hall, 5th Floor, Suite 5.527, Route 1004
   301 University Blvd
   Galveston TX 77555-1004
   
   Fax: 409.772.3600
    
5. If you are a non-ASC participant (for example, a grantee or technical event) go to the following web site to print all travel forms: Travel Deployment Packet—Non-ASC Participants
   
   If you are an ASC, go to the following web site to print all travel forms: Travel Deployment Packet—ASC Employees
    
6. Mail or fax your completed travel forms at least eight weeks prior to your deployment to the following address:
   
   NOTE: Do not submit completed travel forms via email; any forms received by email are disposed of without action.
   
   ASC Travel Group
   7400 S. Tucson Way
   Centennial, CO 80112
   Phone:1.800.688.8606 ext. 33202 or 303.790.8606 ext. 33202
   Fax: 303.705.0742
    
7. Complete the Information Security Awareness course as directed in your Travel Deployment Packet, specifically, in the Deployment Requirements for Information Security Training and Computer Requirements document.