Name
#89 Enhancing the Military Overseas Screening Program: Addressing Suitability Challenges for Service Members and Dependents in INDOPACOM
Speakers
Content Presented On Behalf Of:
Navy
Session Type
Poster
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Start Time
5:00 PM
End Time
7:00 PM
Location
Prince Georges Expo Hall E
Focus Areas/Topics
Clinical Care, Policy/Management/Administrative
Learning Outcomes
1. Understanding the Suitability Screening Process:
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Military Overseas Screening (OSS) process, including its medical, dental, and educational components, and how it ensures service members and their dependents are appropriately assigned to overseas, remote, or operational duty stations.
2. Identifying Systemic Challenges in OSS:
Attendees will be able to identify key challenges within the OSS process, such as administrative overrides of medical recommendations, inadequate screenings, and the absence of centralized control systems, and their impact on mission readiness and healthcare resource utilization.
3. Evaluating the Impact of Unsuitable Assignments:
Learners will analyze the consequences of assigning unfit service members and dependents to duty stations, including increased healthcare costs, logistical burdens like MEDEVACs, and reduced operational effectiveness in the INDOPACOM region.
4. Exploring Policy and Legal Frameworks:
Participants will explore the legal and policy frameworks governing OSS, including BUMEDINST 1300.2B and OPNAVINST 1300.14E, and understand their role in ensuring compliance and accountability in suitability screening.
5. Developing Solutions for OSS Improvement:
Attendees will learn actionable recommendations to improve the OSS process, such as mandating accountability for gaining commands, establishing centralized control systems, and enhancing medical capabilities in high-demand regions to optimize resource utilization and ensure a medically ready force.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Military Overseas Screening (OSS) process, including its medical, dental, and educational components, and how it ensures service members and their dependents are appropriately assigned to overseas, remote, or operational duty stations.
2. Identifying Systemic Challenges in OSS:
Attendees will be able to identify key challenges within the OSS process, such as administrative overrides of medical recommendations, inadequate screenings, and the absence of centralized control systems, and their impact on mission readiness and healthcare resource utilization.
3. Evaluating the Impact of Unsuitable Assignments:
Learners will analyze the consequences of assigning unfit service members and dependents to duty stations, including increased healthcare costs, logistical burdens like MEDEVACs, and reduced operational effectiveness in the INDOPACOM region.
4. Exploring Policy and Legal Frameworks:
Participants will explore the legal and policy frameworks governing OSS, including BUMEDINST 1300.2B and OPNAVINST 1300.14E, and understand their role in ensuring compliance and accountability in suitability screening.
5. Developing Solutions for OSS Improvement:
Attendees will learn actionable recommendations to improve the OSS process, such as mandating accountability for gaining commands, establishing centralized control systems, and enhancing medical capabilities in high-demand regions to optimize resource utilization and ensure a medically ready force.
Session Currently Live
Description
The Military Overseas Screening (OSS) Program plays a critical role in ensuring the readiness and well-being of service members and their dependents assigned to remote, overseas, or operational duty stations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) region. As the Department of Defense (DoD) prioritizes maintaining a strong presence in this strategically vital area, the OSS process must effectively assess medical, dental, and educational needs to prevent unsuitable assignments that could compromise mission readiness and strain limited resources.
This abstract highlights the challenges and systemic inefficiencies within the OSS process, including inadequate screenings, administrative overrides of medical recommendations, and the absence of centralized control systems. These issues often result in unsuitable service members and dependents being stationed in locations where their medical needs exceed the capabilities of local Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and host nation healthcare systems. The consequences include increased healthcare costs, logistical burdens such as medical evacuations (MEDEVACs), and reduced operational effectiveness.
The presentation will explore the legal and policy frameworks governing OSS, including BUMEDINST 1300.2B and OPNAVINST 1300.14E, and propose actionable solutions to address these challenges. Recommendations include mandating accountability for gaining commands that override medical recommendations, establishing a centralized OSS control system, and enhancing medical capabilities in high-demand regions. These measures aim to optimize resource utilization, improve access to care, and ensure a medically ready force capable of sustaining the DoD's strategic objectives in INDOPACOM. By addressing the inefficiencies in the OSS process, this initiative seeks to bolster the health and readiness of service members and their dependents, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen the military's presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This abstract underscores the importance of a comprehensive and standardized approach to suitability screening as a cornerstone of military operational success.