DA Form 5888: Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet

DA Form 5888: Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet – If you’re a U.S. Army Soldier preparing for an overseas Permanent Change of Station (PCS), deployment, or command sponsorship with family members, you’ve likely encountered DA Form 5888, officially titled the Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet. This critical document ensures your family’s medical, educational, and special needs are screened and supported at your new duty station.

In this comprehensive, up-to-date guide (based on official Army sources as of 2026), we’ll cover everything you need to know: what the form is, why it matters, when to use it, step-by-step completion instructions, related forms, and how it ties into the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Plus, download the official PDF directly from Army Publishing Directorate.

What Is DA Form 5888?

DA Form 5888 is the U.S. Army’s Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet. Prescribed by Army Regulation (AR) 608-75 (Exceptional Family Member Program), it collects essential data on accompanying family members to validate deployment readiness and support assignment decisions by the gaining command.

The form (dated SEP 2002 but still the current active version in 2026) is used exclusively by the Army for:

  • Overseas screening (OCONUS PCS with family travel or command sponsorship)
  • Identifying potential EFMP enrollment
  • Ensuring medical and educational services are available at the new location

Privacy Act Statement: Information is collected under Title 10, U.S.C. Section 3013. Providing it is mandatory; failure to do so may delay or prevent family travel/command sponsorship approval.

Purpose of the Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet

The primary goals of DA Form 5888 are:

  • Validate that family members are screened for deployment suitability.
  • Provide the gaining command with accurate family data for assignment decisions.
  • Identify any special medical, dental, educational, or early intervention needs early in the process.
  • Support seamless integration with EFMP services worldwide.

It is a required part of the Family Member Travel Screening (FMTS) or command sponsorship packet for most OCONUS moves. Without a completed and authenticated DA Form 5888, your family travel request cannot proceed.

When Do You Need to Complete DA Form 5888?

You must complete DA Form 5888 if you are:

  • An active-duty Soldier with family members accompanying you on an OCONUS PCS (accompanied tour).
  • Requesting command sponsorship for dependents overseas.
  • Processing family member travel (FMTS) through your Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or EFMP office.
  • Assigned to certain remote OCONUS areas (may require the companion DA Form 5888-1).

It is not typically needed for CONUS moves or unaccompanied tours without family travel.

Note: The screening is valid for one year in most cases. Always check with your local EFMP office or S-1 for location-specific requirements.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out and Process DA Form 5888?

The form has two main parts and must be typed (handwritten versions are often rejected).

Part A (Blocks 1–8) – Completed by the Soldier and authenticated by MPD/S-1:

  1. Soldier completes Blocks 1–7 (in consultation with your Personnel Representative):
    • Soldier’s name, rank, SSN/DOD ID, unit, email, phone.
    • Full names (first, middle spelled out, last), DOB, relationship, and status for each accompanying family member.
  2. Block 8 is completed and signed by your Military Personnel Division (MPD) or S-1 to verify dependents.

Part B – Completed by the Army MTF EFMP medical practitioner:

  • Reviews medical/educational records and performs screening.
  • Determines if EFMP enrollment is required (links to DD Form 2792 for medical needs or DD Form 2792-1 for educational needs).
  • Signs and dates the form.

Typical Processing Flow:

  • Obtain a blank form from your S-1 or EFMP office.
  • Complete your portion and get MPD authentication.
  • Schedule an EFMP screening appointment at your MTF (bring medical records, shot records, and DA Form 7246).
  • EFMP provider completes Part B and returns the packet.
  • Upload to the E-EFMP system (electronic EFMP) where applicable.

Pro Tip: Many installations now use the E-EFMP digital portal, which can auto-generate parts of the form based on your inputs.

  • DA Form 7246 – EFMP Screening Questionnaire (completed by the Soldier).
  • DD Form 2792 – Family Member Medical Summary (if special medical needs identified).
  • DD Form 2792-1 – Exceptional Family Member Special Education/Early Intervention Summary.
  • DA Form 5888-1 – Screening of Family Members in Remote OCONUS Areas (additional screening for certain locations).

Download the Official DA Form 5888 PDF

Official Download (U.S. Army Publishing Directorate):
DA Form 5888 – Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet (PDF)

Always use the version from armypubs.army.mil for the most current, fillable form. Third-party sites may have outdated or non-official versions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is DA Form 5888 required for every family member?
A: Yes, for every accompanying dependent (spouse, children, or other eligible family members).

Q: What if my family has special needs?
A: The form triggers EFMP enrollment if needed. EFMP helps match your family to locations with appropriate services — it does not prevent you from moving.

Q: How long does the process take?
A: Allow 4–6 weeks. Start early — especially for high-demand locations like Korea, Europe, or Japan.

Q: Can I fill it out online?
A: Use a PDF editor for the official form, but final signatures and authentication must come from MPD and EFMP personnel.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

  • Always type the form — no handwriting.
  • Spell out full middle names.
  • List only family members who will accompany you.
  • Double-check all dates and contact info.
  • Coordinate with your EFMP office before your levy brief or orders.

Bottom line: Completing DA Form 5888 correctly helps ensure your family’s smooth transition overseas and access to the support they need.

Ready to get started?
Download the official form here: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/A5888.pdf

Contact your local EFMP office, S-1, or Military Treatment Facility for personalized guidance. Your family’s readiness starts with this important step.