Marine gets ‘exceptional’ help from military program

[USMCRET6391]

Story by Lance Cpl. W. Zach Griffith

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 11, 2005) -- Last July, when the doctors diagnosed his wife with gastric cancer, all the other problems in Sgt. Devin Mitchell’s life no longer seemed to matter. His main concern immediately turned to the health of his wife, Hisano.

In September, when the cancer got so bad that doctors had to remove Hisano’s stomach, life became even more complicated. She would now need daily shots and extensive check-ups with her doctors on Okinawa to try and keep her well. But just when life seemed to be getting back under control, orders for a permanent change of station move to Twentynine Palms, Calif., threatened to take her away from her much-needed medical care.

Fortunately for the Mitchells, the couple was eligible for the Exceptional Family Member Program, a program that helps accommodate service members who have dependants with special needs, such as ailments or mental health issues.

Hisano, who requires long-term care from gastric specialists, is exactly the type of “exceptional family member” that the program is meant to help. Because she can no longer properly digest food, Hisano requires special shots to ensure she is getting enough vital vitamins and proteins.

Mitchell, who is currently serving a tour on Okinawa, Japan, said when he found out about the EFMP, it was a huge relief for him and his wife.

Mitchell said the thought of his wife passing away weighed heavily on his heart.

“It was hard,” Mitchell said. “It’s hard to be an active duty Marine in Okinawa and take care of my family. My command helped me out a lot, and (Hisano’s) family is on Okinawa, which helps. We’re doing pretty well.”

Mitchell found out about EFMP when he received orders to Twentynine Palms.

“My (Master Gunnery Sgt.) told me about the Exceptional Family Member Program and how they could help,” he said.

The EFMP was established in November 1992 to help eligible Marines get stationed close enough to required medical treatment from their family members, said Belinda Sims, the EFMP program manager for Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico, Va.

“(The EFMP staff) helped me and my wife fill out the appropriate paperwork with our doctor,” Mitchell said. “Then they basically told us they would call my monitor and make sure we were sent somewhere close to a hospital where my wife could get the proper care she needs.”

Mitchell now has orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, located just a few miles from a hospital that has the facilities to take care of his wife.

Sims said EFMP representatives can even help eligible Marines who are assigned to special duty posts, such as recruiting stations. EFMP representatives can work with occupational field monitors to ensure the Marine is stationed in a place where his family’s special needs can be met.

“EFMP is not a tool to get your duty station changed,” Sims added. “Most of the Marines who come to us truly need our assistance, so that’s what we do—help the Marines.”

[SGRock]

It has not always been this way, but I am glad to see the Corps take care of it's own.

[Grimmy]

It's pretty rare that programs get created that actually fill a need. Sounds like this one might be one of those few.

The program name and details should be spread everywhere Marines congregate.