The post-deployment period begins with the service member’s arrival at his/her home station (active component) or demobilization (DEMOB) station (reserve component) and includes actions to recover equipment, personnel and demobilization activities. This phase ends with release from recovery mission (active component) or arrival at home station (reserve component).
Post-deployment health activities are described in DoDI 6490.03 and are based on:
- Deployment type or commander's decision
- DoD and service policies
- Actual or potential health threats encountered during deployment
The Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA), using DD Form 2796, is required if “a DD Form 2795 was required during the pre-deployment phase or per the decision of the combatant command commander, service component commander, or commander exercising operational control if any health threats evolved or exposures (occupational and environmental health (OEH) or chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN)) occurred during the deployment that warrant medical assessment or follow-up.” The assessment must be completed in-theater or within 30 days of returning home.
The purpose of the PDHA is to review each deployer's current health, mental health or psychosocial issues commonly associated with deployments, special medications taken during the deployment, possible deployment-related occupational/environmental exposures, and to discuss deployment-related health concerns.