The White Falcon - 12.11.1999, Page 5

New overseas screening policy cuts delays
Bv JOl Evelyn F. Biskeborn
For Navy and Marine Corps active duty
personnel and their family members, trans-
ferring to an overseas duty station usually
means adhering to a hectic schedule to com-
plete overseas screening requirements.
Traditionally, the completion of overseas
screening for service members and their fam-
ily members has been required within 30
days of receipt of their orders. In the past,
this meant having dental and medical check-
ups, getting information on security clear-
ances, education, financial status, etc.
Problems encountered with the process
have included limited authorized medical
personnel available to help meet require-
ments within the specified time period, and
barriers impeding assignment of qualified
personnel. To resolve such problems and to
improve the process, the Navy conducted a
review of the overseas screening policy and
has modified the requirements per NAVAD-
MIN297/99.
One major change is a requirement to
speed up the completion of overseas screen-
ing to 15 days with a one-day turn around in
readdressing the message to the command’s
servicing medical facility. Personnel Office
Supervisor for the Personnel Support
Detachment Keflavik, PN1 C. J.
Desormeaux said, “In conjunction with the
changes in this policy, on Oct. 1 the Navy’s
Bureau of Medicine (BUMED) began con-
ducting a 90-day field test at Naval Hospital
Pensacola using a new form, BUMED
1300/1 (test). The new guidance incorpo-
rates dental, medical and educational suit-
ability into one form and expands overseas
screening authorization to physician assis-
tants, nurse practitioners, and independent
duty hospital corpsmen. That’s a major fac-
tor in processing forms in a timely manner.”
Dawn Meade, Overseas Screening
/Exceptional Family Member Program coor-
dinator for Naval Hospital Keflavik, said,
“The form gives good guidance on screening
issues. It also allows for the check-off of
items as opposed to a lot of writing. This
change will expedite the process for active
duty personnel and their family members.”
Another change deals with the financial
criteria for all enlisted personnel. Now E-4
and below members will be eligible for over-
seas duty if their debt-to-income ratio does
not exceed 30 percent. E-5 and above mem-
bers without unresolved severe indebtedness
will also qualify.
There has also been a change regarding fit-
ness reports and evaluation requirements.
Initially, qualification entailed receiving a
recommendation for retention and a “pro-
motable” or higher advancement recommen-
dation with a minimum of 3.0 trait average.
The new policy indicates eligibility if a ser-
vice member receives a recommendation for
retention and a minimum advancement eval-
uation of “progressing toward.”
The new policy, which is scheduled for
immediate implementation, will be overseen
by Program Manager, Cmdr. Steve Ruth.
E.mail to Ruth may be directed to
P451@PERSNET.navy.mil. Information
on a new overseas screening form,
NAVPERS 1300/16, the new medical screen-
ing form and additional changes may be
downloaded from the COMNAVPERSCOM
web site. It is expected that the changes in
this policy will have a positive impact on
quality of life and personnel readiness of the
forward deployed forces and overseas sup-
port activities.
Salute to Excellence ...
(Top) Staff Sgt. Brady A. McCarron of Naval Media Center Broadcasting
Detachment Keflavik and (Bottom) AGSN Brandon S. Renninger of the Naval
Atlantic Meteorological and Oceanography Detachment Keflavik were recently
named, respectively, the Senior and Junior NATO Base Military Member of the
Quarter. McCarron and Renninger were presented with a Letter of Commendation
from Rear Adm. David Architzel, Commander, Iceland Defense Force. (Photos by JOl
Christopher E. Tucker)
November 12,1999 The White Falcon
Naval Hospital
Keflavik ready
for Y2K
Submitted by Naval Hospital Keflavik
The Military Health System recently com-
pleted a successful worldwide test of Y2K
readiness for patient care, patient administra-
tion and medical logistics systems. As the
critical date nears, an operation center will be
set up to ensure continued Y2K compliance.
Additional information on this topic can be
found at www.tricare.osd.mil.
Locally, Naval Hospital Keflavik has been
preparing for Y2K for over a year. All med-
ical equipment has been inventoried, upgrad-
ed as needed, and validated Y2K compliant.
In addition, adequate inventory of medical
supplies and pharmaceuticals will be avail-
able. Director for Administration at the hos-
pital Lt. Cmdr. Roger Sellers said, “We have
developed a Comprehensive Continuity of
Operations Plan to address any unexpected
Y2K induced failures. In developing the plan,
we have worked closely with Icelandic med-
ical facilities and the MEDEVAC system to
ensure referral options will remain open.”
The hospital will also be testing all critical
systems before and after 0001, Jan. I, 2000.
Sellers added, “Patient safety is of absolute
paramount concern for us and will not be
compromised in any way. We are ready for
Y2K.” For additional information, call ext.
3216 or email
rlsellers@keflO.med.navy.mil.
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