January 26, 2007, Newsletter Issue #48: Assignments, Part Two

Tip of the Week

Some 'remote' assignments allow you to bring your family members with you---for a "price". In areas such as South Korea and Iceland, a standard remote tour for most military ranks and job specialties is between one year and seventeen months. If you choose to bring your family with you, that standard tour length is increased to two years or slightly more, depending on the location and your branch of service. That's the 'price' for being able to take your family. While this sounds like a great idea--getting your remote out of the way without leaving loved ones behind--there can be snags along the way.

If you have a family member with special medical needs, you may not be able to get them 'medically cleared for overseas travel'. The reason? Some medical problems are too complex for a small military hospital at a remote assignment. If your child suffers from asthma, for example, there are conditions where they may be approved, and others where a denial is always the case.

Best bet--try to appeal a denial before accepting defeat. Get a second opinion and try to demonstrate--if you can--that you have dealt with similar circumstances in the past with success. It may well change your outcome. Military rank won't help in the medical department, but if you can show a history of successfully managing a medical issue, you're more likely to get a 'yes'.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.