The military healthcare system focuses on maintaining the health of service members and ensuring the force remains medically ready for global deployment. This integrated system prioritizes the ability of personnel to perform their duties under various conditions. While processes vary slightly across branches, the core structure for dealing with illness or injury is standardized across the Department of Defense. A service member’s medical condition is always evaluated against their ability to serve.
Accessing Care and Initial Treatment
When a service member feels ill or sustains a minor injury, the initial point of contact is usually a scheduled “Sick Call” at the unit’s Aid Station or Troop Clinic. Sick Call is a specific time, often in the early morning, set aside for non-emergency issues to avoid interfering with daily training or work schedules.
At the Aid Station, a Corpsman, Medic, or Technician performs the initial triage and patient assessment, including checking vital signs. The medical provider, such as a Physician Assistant or Medical Officer, then diagnoses the condition and develops a treatment plan. This first level of care, often called Role 1, aims to return the individual to duty quickly or stabilize them for further treatment. If specialized or higher-level care is required, the patient is referred to a larger Military Treatment Facility (MTF), such as a military hospital.
Managing Duty Status During Recovery
Following a diagnosis, the medical provider determines the service member’s physical limitations, which directly impacts their duty status. This determination is formally documented through a Medical Profile, outlining specific temporary or permanent restrictions.
A common short-term status is “Quarters,” restricting the service member to their barracks room or home for self-treatment. Quarters status is authorized for up to 72 hours, excusing the individual from all military duties.
For longer recoveries, a temporary Medical Profile may be issued, limiting activities like running or lifting heavy gear. This often leads to “Light Duty,” where the service member performs administrative tasks adhering to the restrictions. If a temporary profile lasts for 12 months, the condition is reviewed to determine if the profile should become permanent.
Formal Medical Review and Continuation of Service
When an illness or injury is severe or chronic enough to affect a service member’s ability to meet medical retention standards, a formal review begins. This process is the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), which coordinates between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The first step is the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), a panel of military physicians who review the service member’s medical history. The MEB determines if the condition is medically acceptable for continued service based on retention standards.
If the MEB finds the condition does not meet retention standards, the case is forwarded to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). The PEB is a formal, non-medical board that assesses whether the service member is “Fit” or “Unfit” to perform the duties of their rank and military occupation. A finding of “Fit for Duty” means the service member returns to their unit, potentially with a permanent profile.
If the PEB determines the service member is “Unfit for Duty,” they face separation or retirement, depending on the condition’s severity and years of service. A disability rating, determined by the VA, guides this final determination.
Service members found unfit with a disability rating below 30% or fewer than 20 years of service typically receive a medical separation, often with a one-time severance payment. Those found unfit with a disability rating of 30% or higher, or with 20 or more years of service, may be medically retired, which provides lifetime benefits and monthly compensation. The IDES process ensures those who can no longer serve are transitioned appropriately with earned compensation and healthcare.