If you’ve spent any time in military spouse circles, you’ve probably heard stories about the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Some say it limits where you can live. Others whisper that it will ruin your spouse’s career. Maybe you’ve even seen people hesitate to enroll because they’re worried about the consequences once their spouse retires.
Here’s the thing: EFMP exists for a reason. It helps make sure military families with special medical or educational needs get the right support. Another thing to keep in mind is that avoiding enrollment won’t make those needs disappear. It’ll just make life harder when the military sends you somewhere that can’t provide the care your family needs.
Let’s break down what EFMP actually does, how it impacts future assignments, and why it’s not the career-ruining monster some people think it is.
What Is EFMP, really?
Think you can avoid EFMP and everything will be fine? Think again.
Without EFMP: You could end up stationed somewhere with no specialists, no educational support, and no way to get the care you or your dependent needs. Imagine arriving at your new duty station only to find out there’s a six-month wait for an essential doctor. Or worse, no provider at all.
With EFMP: Your orders are screened to ensure necessary services exist before you move, reducing the risk of finding yourself in a situation where your dependent’s care is out of reach.
EFMP is a mandatory program across all military branches. It ensures that service members are stationed in locations that can provide the medical and educational support their dependents require.
Who qualifies? Anyone with a dependent who has:
- Chronic medical conditions (like asthma, epilepsy, or diabetes)
- Mental health care needs requiring ongoing treatment (such as ADHD or anxiety)
- Special education plans (IEPs, 504 Plans, speech therapy, OT, PT)
- Physical disabilities that require specialized care or equipment
Skipping EFMP might seem easier in the short term, but in the long run, it can lead to devastating consequences, like being sent somewhere that puts your family in crisis.
Enrolling in EFMP: what to expect
Think of EFMP as an extra layer of planning. It’s not an obstacle course. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Figure out if your family qualifies
If your child or dependent has a medical or educational need that requires ongoing care, they likely need to be enrolled.
Step 2: Get the paperwork done
Your service member will need to submit:
- DD Form 2792 (Medical Summary) – Completed by a doctor
- DD Form 2792-1 (Special Education Summary) – Completed by a school official if your child has an IEP
Step 3: Submit everything to the EFMP Office
Your installation’s EFMP coordinator will process the paperwork and confirm enrollment.
Step 4: Assignment screening begins
Once you’re enrolled, future PCS orders are reviewed to make sure your family’s needs can be met at the new duty station. Remember though that enrollment isn’t automatic. Updates are required every three years or when medical or educational needs change.
How EFMP affects PCS orders
This is where a lot of military families start worrying. The truth? Yes, EFMP does affect assignments, but not the way you think. It’s less “restrict where you can go,” and more “making sure you can get what you need when you get there.”
Here’s what that looks like:
- EFMP reviews assignments to ensure necessary medical and educational services are available at the new location.
- Waivers are possible if your service member’s career path requires a location with limited support services.
- Overseas moves are still an option if the required services exist at that location. Some installations simply don’t have the medical or educational infrastructure needed for EFMP families.
Debunking the stigma
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the idea that enrollment ruins careers. Many families hesitate to enroll because they fear their service member will be passed over for promotions or stuck at a limited number of duty stations.
Will EFMP hurt your spouse’s career?
Short answer: No. Here’s why:
- EFMP doesn’t impact promotions. Service members are evaluated on their job performance, not their family’s medical needs.
- Skipping enrollment can actually cause career problems. If a family gets assigned somewhere that can’t meet their dependent’s needs, early reassignment requests can derail a career far more than EFMP ever could.
- Failure to enroll can lead to disciplinary action. Commands take family readiness seriously. If skipping EFMP results in unnecessary hardship, leadership may step in.
Common frustrations (and how to handle them)
“PCS moves are more complicated with EFMP”
Spoiler: PCS moves are always complicated, no matter what. It’s true that EFMP screenings add extra steps, but those steps are your safeguard, not your limitation.
- Start the EFMP screening process as soon as PCS orders drop.
- Call EFMP offices at potential duty stations to get the latest info on available services.
“We want an OCONUS assignment but we’re an EFMP family”
Some overseas bases don’t have the medical specialists or special education programs required for EFMP families. That’s not a punishment. It’s a reality check.
- Get information on EFMP support early in the assignment process.
- Research medical facilities and schools at potential duty stations.
- Request a case review if you believe your dependent’s needs can be met at a particular location.
The bottom line: EFMP is here to help
Is EFMP perfect? No. It can feel like another bureaucratic headache on top of an already complicated military life. But ignoring it doesn’t make medical or educational needs disappear.
At the end of the day, EFMP is about making sure military families have access to the care they need. It may mean extra paperwork and some assignment limitations, but it also means fewer surprises when you move.
The best thing you can do? Enroll early, stay informed, and advocate for your family’s needs. Your future self will thank you.