DoDMERB Scheduling for Overseas-based Student

[GWNROTC_Alum]

We learned last week that my DD has been awarded the 4-yr National NROTC-MO scholarship at Norwich University. She is VERY excited. Being an NROTC alum myself, I am trying to help her with the resulting additional paperwork. We are stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, as both her mother & I are DoD Civilian employees at US Africa Command. DD's initial login to DODMETS last evening revealed that the provider they have assigned is located in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I have no idea why, but I DO know that this is an obvious non-starter. She has already requested her provider be reassigned based on the location. Does anyone out there have any experience completing a DoDMERB for an overseas student? Can it be completed at a local base clinic or even somewhere else in Germany (Landstuhl?)? Looking for options to get this knocked out as soon as possible. TIA.

 

[Capt MJ]

We learned last week that my DD has been awarded the 4-yr National NROTC-MO scholarship at Norwich University. She is VERY excited. Being an NROTC alum myself, I am trying to help her with the resulting additional paperwork. We are stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, as both her mother & I are DoD Civilian employees at US Africa Command. DD's initial login to DODMETS last evening revealed that the provider they have assigned is located in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I have no idea why, but I DO know that this is an obvious non-starter. She has already requested her provider be reassigned based on the location. Does anyone out there have any experience completing a DoDMERB for an overseas student? Can it be completed at a local base clinic or even somewhere else in Germany (Landstuhl?)? Looking for options to get this knocked out as soon as possible. TIA.

She should contact her DoDMERB case manager and explain where she is and what healthcare providers she has access to. DoDMETS only handles the U.S. based contract providers and does not provide them for non-U.S. locations. They won’t be involved.

I think DoDMERB sends her the packet of forms the military doctor or whoever your provider is, to complete and return. It’s an accession physical and optometric exam that’s required.

This is a routine occurrence for SA and ROTC candidates residing out of U.S. It’s a little bit easier since you are federal and have access.

If she hasn’t gone to the DoDMERB website and read the landing page and all the left-hand menu items, there is good process info there. Laptop view works better than phone view. Hint: her case manager contact info is there, if she hasn’t yet found that.

Someone may pop up who’s done it from outside the U.S.

 

[PV35]

Welcome new member! Congrats to DD!

I have some thoughts I can DM. I have a contact at Dodmerb I will contact today.

Before you can DM, I believe this forum requires 5 posts and a week wait. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Edit - @Capt MJ - has forgotten more about all things military than most people know (and best I can tell, does not forget much). I was posting at same time. Follow her lead. Happy to help if I can.

 

[GWNROTC_Alum]

Welcome new member! Congrats to DD!

I have some thoughts I can DM. I have a contact at Dodmerb I will contact today.

Before you can DM, I believe this forum requires 5 posts and a week wait. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks to you both. I believe you are correct on the DM but not sure if it also prevents me from receiving them. Will check back to see if you had any further information from your DODMERB contact.

 

[Capt MJ]

Welcome new member! Congrats to DD!

I have some thoughts I can DM. I have a contact at Dodmerb I will contact today.

Before you can DM, I believe this forum requires 5 posts and a week wait. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Edit - @Capt MJ - has forgotten more about all things military than most people know (and best I can tell, does not forget much). I was posting at same time. Follow her lead. Happy to help if I can.

I’ve just been a human on the planet for an extended period of time.

 

[PV35]

It does prevent. A couple more messages and it should allow by Thursday.

PS. Forgive me if you have already been through this thought process. But I see (and help) a lot of youngsters that create a Dodmerb issue when there should not be one.

BEFORE completing online questionnaire, DD should get her medical records lined up and accessible for reference. DD should review all questions before completing any. (There is a PDF version of the form available to review).

In your wingman mode, be available to talk out questions and accurate responses. DD should pay particular attention to the difference between a medical diagnosis (a doctor) and an amateur or self- diagnosis. (ie my shins hurt after running a marathon so I have shin splits; I bumped my head in practice so coach followed concussion protocol therefore I had a concussion).

The online form will lock affirmative answers so they cannot be changed.

 

[Capt MJ]

Thanks to you both. I believe you are correct on the DM but not sure if it also prevents me from receiving them. Will check back to see if you had any further information from your DODMERB contact.

To send and receive DMs:
- 1 week as a registered member:
- 5 posts
- a small window of time for system update to change user status

 

[PV35]

I’ve just been a human on the planet for an extended period of time.

With extraordinary experiences (and wisdom from same) and exceptional communication skills and recall.

 

[Capt MJ]

DoDMERB Case Manager lookup:

https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/contact

 

[Capt MJ]

With extraordinary experiences (and wisdom from same) and exceptional communication skills and recall.

You are too kind, but much appreciated. DH notes my brain is like a dryer lint trap. Stuff just sticks there. He does rely on it, though.

 

[Capt MJ]

It does prevent. A couple more messages and it should allow by Thursday.

PS. Forgive me if you have already been through this thought process. But I see (and help) a lot of youngsters that create a Dodmerb issue when there should not be one.

BEFORE completing online questionnaire, DD should get her medical records lined up and accessable for reference. DD should review all questions before completing any. (There is a PDF version of the form available to review).

In your wingman mode, be available to talk out questions and accurate responses. DD should pay particular attention to the difference between a medical diagnosis (a doctor) and an amateur or self- diagnosis. (ie my shins hurt after running a marathon so I have shin splits; I bumped my head in practice so coach followed concussion protocol therefore I had a concussion).

The online form will lock affirmative answers so they cannot be changed.

Outstanding practical advice.

 

[GWNROTC_Alum]

Some time back she began filling out the DODMETS questionnaire for a different application process (service academy) that did not continue. Can I assume since DODMETS isn't handling her because we are overseas that the questionnaire will be on the DODMERB website?

 

[PV35]

Long response. My intent is to save your DD some time (and frustration/pain).

You are looking for LATEST version of form 2807-2. The following link has an *overseas* designator but may not be exactly the online form. The questions will be close.

https://www.esd.whs.mil/portals/54/documents/dd/forms/dd/dd2807-2.pdf

If DD started a Dodmets form previously, see if she can access or refer to a copy. Be prepared to address inconsistencies.

Again you want truthful, accurate answers.

The Dodmerb website should have the assession standards referenced. It is a long document, but is handy. It details the dq conditions that the questionnaire is designed to flag.

Note that any affirmative answers require an explanation (in section IV I believe) and "may require medical records ".

For any affirmative answers, I would strongly encourage DD (and you) to have ALL medical records, including the insurance billing records, on hand (and start ordering them if you do not have them). DD might be on a clock this late in the cycle and medical providers sometimes provide records when they get around to it.

Printouts from medical portals appear handy, but in the past have been rejected by Dodmerb in lieu of medical records.

Do not provide the medical records unless requested by Dodmerb. (Would come as correspondence - usually email and/or portal- requesting AMI - additional medical information).

If there is a request, DD should provide a prompt, succinct response with only the AMI requested.

ONLY ATFQ - "answer the full question" (stolen quote from @Capt MJ addressing essay responses). DD does not want to provide an opening for another issue by providing information that is not relevant and/or tailored to the request.

DD (and you) should save a copy of the completed questionnaire, the records and the correspondence. A couple of years from now, prior to service selection, DD will go through this medical process again. After 18, parents have trouble running down records to assist because of HIPPA restrictions.

 

[GWNROTC_Alum]

Thank you for all of this.

I have a very specific issue and apologize for putting you on the spot.

The ONLY medical issue that she has really ever experienced happened when she was six months old. I was on active duty and deployed at the time. He mother (also active duty at the time) was sick with the flu, was holding her, got lightheaded, and they both went down. DD was evaluated in the emergency room, was given an x-ray, and determined to have a hairline skull fracture. Given her age, the fact that her skull had not yet fully developed, and she was not experiencing any residual symptoms, she was released without admission or treatment. Another X-ray was performed at approximately one-year pediatric check-up. Fully healed. No sign of previous injury. No further treatment or subsequent issues. This all happened 18 years ago. We MAY have hard copy records (I haven't started digging yet). Given what you said about being "on the clock," what would be your recommendation on the best way to address this?

 

[Capt MJ]

Great insights by @PV35 above.

The DoD Medical Accessions Standard can be found in that DoDMERB left-side menu I mentioned. I think it is the “DoDI” linked in the “Questionnaires and Forms” section. But here it is for convenience:

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol01.pdf?ver=B0uhh9e1k_MDTz4PuNU8Aw%3d%3d

ATFQ! Always a handy acronym to guide thinking, salty version or clean.

 

[PV35]

We want to be respectful of confidential information and medical specifics on public, although anonymous forum.

You should be good to DM Thursday. I can provide contact info so we can continue discussion offline.

Meantime,

1. Have DD run through a hard copy of the questionnaire with best answers. Note items that require reference to medical records, either in hand or to be acquired

2. Homework I know, but you might coach DD to assemble a notebook and an index of the medical records she will refer to. Make a placeholder page for records you do not have with best guess of date, location and contact info of medical provider (may need to refer to mom medical records if available).

Get it scanned so there is a digital copy as well.

3. See if you can access previous Dodmets document(s).

4. Happy to help if you want to pick up communication Thursday or Friday by DM.

I believe you have a couple of days before exam to get the questionnaire turned in. Online portal where you schedule should tell you.

PS - congrats to DD on the NROTC MO. That is a feat!

 

[3Xmommy]

We learned last week that my DD has been awarded the 4-yr National NROTC-MO scholarship at Norwich University. She is VERY excited. Being an NROTC alum myself, I am trying to help her with the resulting additional paperwork. We are stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, as both her mother & I are DoD Civilian employees at US Africa Command. DD's initial login to DODMETS last evening revealed that the provider they have assigned is located in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I have no idea why, but I DO know that this is an obvious non-starter. She has already requested her provider be reassigned based on the location. Does anyone out there have any experience completing a DoDMERB for an overseas student? Can it be completed at a local base clinic or even somewhere else in Germany (Landstuhl?)? Looking for options to get this knocked out as soon as possible. TIA.

Hello fellow Stuttgart member! My DS had the same thing happen to him. He just went to Patch clinic and scheduled his exams. He ended up doing vision and hearing exams at Patch and the physical at Kelley.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to your daughter! Super exciting!

 

[3Xmommy]

We learned last week that my DD has been awarded the 4-yr National NROTC-MO scholarship at Norwich University. She is VERY excited. Being an NROTC alum myself, I am trying to help her with the resulting additional paperwork. We are stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, as both her mother & I are DoD Civilian employees at US Africa Command. DD's initial login to DODMETS last evening revealed that the provider they have assigned is located in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I have no idea why, but I DO know that this is an obvious non-starter. She has already requested her provider be reassigned based on the location. Does anyone out there have any experience completing a DoDMERB for an overseas student? Can it be completed at a local base clinic or even somewhere else in Germany (Landstuhl?)? Looking for options to get this knocked out as soon as possible. TIA.

Also, we are contractors and had no problem.

 

[PV35]

Bump