I'm active duty and my DS received an AFROTC and AROTC scholarship. DODMERB medical exam was scheduled by Concorde at a bizarre urgent care facility. Anyone recommend that I request his medical exam location be changed to his assigned PCM on base with the doctor that knows him already versus taking a chance with someone new?
Should I request a change in medical exam location?
AROTC Parent
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Rehula - If it's not a long distance I recommend you go with the 'bizarre urgent care facility'. Strip malls, near the airport, industrial parks...... The process and forms won't be familiar to the PCM. If information is necessary for a remedial or DQ then involve the PCM.
Pima
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My DS called DoDMERB and told them that he was an AF dependent, it was immediately changed to our on base doc. DoDMERB just looks at your zip code and goes from there to the closest doc, they have no clue that your DS is a military brat with access to the military docs.
I disagree with others, take it on base, those docs know what the military is looking for medical clearance compared to the bizarre urgent care that was contracted for maybe just your kid and does it once a year. Additionally as a military dependent that doc has access to their medical records from birth. Many times a kid will check a box that may require a remedial. The bizarre urgent care doc is going to take it at face value, the military doc will look at the records and determine from that point. That could be good or bad, but it helps when the doctor knows the exact requirements for whatever the issue is.
I disagree with others, take it on base, those docs know what the military is looking for medical clearance compared to the bizarre urgent care that was contracted for maybe just your kid and does it once a year. Additionally as a military dependent that doc has access to their medical records from birth. Many times a kid will check a box that may require a remedial. The bizarre urgent care doc is going to take it at face value, the military doc will look at the records and determine from that point. That could be good or bad, but it helps when the doctor knows the exact requirements for whatever the issue is.
AROTC Parent
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Pima - Great perspective regarding utilizing the PCM for the DODMERB physical and knowing the applicant's medical history. However, I do know others whose processing time for the DODMERB physical with incomplete forms and limited/no knowledge of accessions criteria hurt applicants that used their PCM (Navy in Chicagoland). It might depend if the PCM is military, former military, or just a government employee as PCM for family members.
Rehula - You have options and knowledge of your PCM. We may have gotten lucky with the Concorde locations assigned for physicals and eye exams twice (Chicago area and LA) - they both also do the local ROTC units. One was in a strip mall and one in an industrial park.
In either case get it done soon to allow for remedials, DQs, or waivers.
Rehula - You have options and knowledge of your PCM. We may have gotten lucky with the Concorde locations assigned for physicals and eye exams twice (Chicago area and LA) - they both also do the local ROTC units. One was in a strip mall and one in an industrial park.
In either case get it done soon to allow for remedials, DQs, or waivers.
It is hit and miss and out of your control. Though you certainly can request a change.
My DD was given at best a cursory exam and was deemed DoDMERB qualified (and there was nothing hidden and she wasn't looking to sneak by). Others get a more rigorous physical by someone more thorough and issues are discovered or at least raised.
If you have a history with the base doctor will they (right or wrong) ask more detailed questions that may or not be needed thus opening up a can of worms that take months to clear up.
Our BGO had twins both wearing braces go to their DoDMERB physical on the same day at the same place. One saw Dr A and one saw Dr B. One failed (for braces) and was finally passed after additional paperwork and the other was deemed qualified day 1.
So if you have an opinion as to the thoroughness of the base medical team vs Concorde choose what you think is the easier path
My DD was given at best a cursory exam and was deemed DoDMERB qualified (and there was nothing hidden and she wasn't looking to sneak by). Others get a more rigorous physical by someone more thorough and issues are discovered or at least raised.
If you have a history with the base doctor will they (right or wrong) ask more detailed questions that may or not be needed thus opening up a can of worms that take months to clear up.
Our BGO had twins both wearing braces go to their DoDMERB physical on the same day at the same place. One saw Dr A and one saw Dr B. One failed (for braces) and was finally passed after additional paperwork and the other was deemed qualified day 1.
So if you have an opinion as to the thoroughness of the base medical team vs Concorde choose what you think is the easier path