SF-88 or on an SF-600. Such defects, while
not considered disqualifying for military
service, may entitle you to certain benefits
from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(DVA). If you desire further information in
this regard, contact the DVA office nearest
your home after your separation.
In the case of a service member separating from the
Navy or Marine Corps before completion of 90 days of
service, a similar statement as above must be read by
the separating member. Refer to article 15-29 of the
MANMED for this statement.
In either case the
separating member will be requested to sign the
following entry in item 73 on the SF-88 or the SF-600.
I have been informed of and understand the
provisions of article XX-XX of the Manual of
the Medical Department.
Refusal of the member to sign this statement will
not delay separation. Rather, the examiner will note in
item 73 of the SF-88 or on the SF-600 that the
provisions of MANMED article XX-XX have been
fully explained to the member, who declined to sign a
statement to that effect. Give each member released
from active duty a signed, legible copy of the SF 88 or
SF-600.
SPECIAL DUTY PHYSICAL
EXAMINATIONS
Military personnel who are assigned to or applying
for special duty such as aviation duty, diving duty,
submarine duty, etc., are required to meet physical
requirements above the basic entrance examination
requirements. In addition, personnel are required to
have a special duty physical if they have psychosocial
considerations, are exposed to extreme physical
hazards, or if they are to be assigned to sites with
inadequate medical facilities.
Other special duties
requiring preplacement examinations include
handling explosives, operating explosives vehicles,
and duty as a fire fighting instructor. Specific details
for each type of special duty physical examination is
delineated in the MANMED.
As with routine physicals, special duty physical
examinations are performed by medical officers or
DoD civilian physicians.
For operational units
(squadrons or groups), the medical officer assigned
will normally perform special duty examinations. If
there is not a unit medical officer, a medical officer
assigned to a supporting clinic, hospital, or related
operational unit should perform the examination.
Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners may
perform special duty examinations if a medical officer
or DoD physician is not available or if the examination
workload is too great. When a PA or nurse practitioner
performs special duty examinations, the examination
MUST be countersigned in block 80 of the SF 88 by a
physician.
Physical examinations for special duty applicants
must be completed before reporting for their special
duty assignment. If a service member is determined by
the medical examiner to be not qualified for special
duty, the member can usually remain in the service
but will not be given special duty assignments. To
maintain special duty status, service members may
have more frequent physical examinations than service
members not on special duty status. Validity periods
for special duty physicals are discussed in the
MANMED. Also, refer to Navy directives that apply
to specific special duty examinations for current
information on physical qualifications.
OVERSEAS/OPERATIONAL SUITABILITY
SCREENING EXAMINATIONS
Upon receipt of accompanied orders overseas or to
a remote assignment, the member and, as applicable,
his family members will be screened to determine their
physical and psychological suitability for transfer.
Service members and families who are not screened
or who are improperly screenedcan arrive at a duty
station with requirements beyond the capability of the
local medical, dental, educational, or community
facilities. This may result in decreased quality of life,
early return from assignment, billet gaps, etc. Proper
screening helps ensure a positive and productive tour
for the service member.
All screening should be
completed within 30 days of receipt of orders.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE EXAMINATIONS
The Navy uses many materials in its work places,
some of which are potentially hazardous to personnel.
To minimize the risk associated with these hazardous
substances, the Navy d e v e l o p e d t h e
N a v y
Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) Program,
OPNAVINST 5100.23. Within the NAVOSH Program
is the Medical Surveillance Program. The Medical
Surveillance Program provides physical examination
and medical monitoring guidelines for personnel who
are exposed to or work with hazardous materials.
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