Would my husband and I be separated due to my medical conditions?

2020-05-31T13:33:26-04:00

Hey everyone :)

My husband is planning to join the military for 4 years (we are not sure which branch yet) as its been a huge dream of his and we're looking into finally making this happen for him.

I have a few medical conditions (For discussions sake I am going to list them: valve regurgitation (minor - no medical intervention needed); hydrocephalus treated by a LP shunt; and if been to a psychologist and psychiatrist in the past) and from what i have been reading online I would have to join the EFMP. In theory the EFMP sound like a wonderful idea set in place to help spouses stay together but how is the EFMP system in practice?

It seems like a lot of spouses gets separated from each other due to more minor conditions than those that I have and we are concerned that I will not be able to live at the same place as my husband when he gets moved to a new location? (I dont know the correct lingo yet)

So I have a few questions in this regards:
1. What are the chances in the first 4 years that we may be separated despite the stated goal of the EFMP to accommodate family members.
2. Which branch of the military is known to have the most accommodating for EFMP matters / have the least international assignments for first tours (its seems this is where a lot of spouses get separated)?
3. Does anybody have experience with this?

Response by MAJ Jason Sierakowski made May 31 at 2020 1:44 PM

2020-05-31T13:44:43-04:00

EFMP is a great program to keep the service members family at a location that offers services for care. For example, if a family member has a heart condition an EFMP packet would be submitted and only locations where the medical service is available is where the service member would be stationed.

I have never heard of a situation where families are seperated. The branch of service headquarters (Navy, Army, Marine Corps, etc) is ultimately responsible for approval of locations that crossmarches the MOS need..... But it's always taken into consideration for the benefit of the family to remain together.

This does not mean that you can force a duty location for your interest. Half the battle is going to a location that fits your families needs. So, wanting to go to Germany or Hawaii may be great! But not fit the family need.
There's much more to it than this short answer. Rest asured, your family will remaining together.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2020 4:45 PM

2020-05-31T16:45:30-04:00

My spouse is enrolled in EFMP. The military is not going to separate you from your spouse unless they are on a dependent restricted tour. When your spouse comes on assignment to a location, they have to do a screening for you to ensure the facilities are available for you at that location or they will reassign you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2020 6:00 PM

2020-05-31T18:00:32-04:00

EFMP identifies locations where your dependents can receive the medical care they need. If it is difficult to find a place to support your EFMP then the places he can be stationed will be limited. For branches like the Marines with very limited locations, or MOSs with limited locations, he might be limited to one or two bases his entire career.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 31 at 2020 7:45 PM

2020-05-31T19:45:00-04:00

Great responses from SSG Private RallyPoint Member , MAJ Jason Sierakowski , and SFC Private RallyPoint Member while your itemized questions ar apt, there are a great many variables. In general, overseas assignments tend to have the most restrictions as one generally doesn't get sent out of the military system. Areas of the continental US usually have Care except for the most rural or austere of areas.

Each service is going to have some advantages and some disadvantages depending on which MOS your spouse has. Each service has a wide variety of installations all over the world, but who goes where is more nuanced.

Example: if you look at a map, the Army has Picatinny Arsenal 40 miles due west of NYC. Pretty developed metro area. Great hospitals, schools etc. there are only 110 Military there, so unless your husband is acquisition Corps or a very senior EOD NCO, there is no chance of being assigned there. Those below the rank of SSG/E6 will absolutely struggle to exist there due to cost of living and meager support available, including TRICARE remote as there is no Military Treatment Facility there.

So post by post there will be different situations and availability on the ground that makes it possible or not possible.