DA Form 7246 EFMP Screening Questionnaire PDF – If you’re an active-duty U.S. Army Soldier, spouse, or family member preparing for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), overseas assignment, or family travel screening, you’ve likely encountered DA Form 7246: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Screening Questionnaire. This critical form helps document medical, mental health, and educational needs of family members so the Army can support your family during assignments.
In this comprehensive, SEO-optimized guide tailored for U.S. Army families, we cover everything you need to know about DA Form 7246 — from its purpose and who must complete it to step-by-step instructions, the full EFMP process, and where to download the latest official PDF. Accurate completion ensures your family’s special needs are considered without delaying orders or assignments.
What Is the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)?
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory U.S. Army program (governed by AR 608-75) that supports families with special needs. An Exceptional Family Member (EFM) includes spouses, children, or dependent parents with physical, emotional, developmental, intellectual, or medical conditions requiring specialized services.
EFMP coordinates medical care, educational support, housing, respite care, and assignment considerations so families can stay together during moves. Enrollment does not affect promotions, assignments within the continental U.S. (CONUS), or selection boards. It primarily impacts OCONUS (overseas) assignments to ensure needed services are available at the gaining location.
Approximately 10% of Army families have an EFM. The program is available to active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve AGR, and Army National Guard AGR personnel (Title 10/32). DA civilians are not eligible.
What Is DA Form 7246 and Why Is It Required?
DA Form 7246 (Exceptional Family Member Program Screening Questionnaire, dated JUN 2009 with e-file updates) is the initial health history and screening tool used in the Family Member Travel Screening (FMTS) and EFMP process.
Principal Purpose (per the form’s Privacy Act Statement):
To obtain information needed to evaluate and document the special education and medical needs of family members. This information is used by the Military Departments to consider those needs in the personnel assignment process.
Key facts:
- One form per family (completed for all dependents traveling with the Soldier).
- Covers the past 5 years of health history for family members excluding the service member.
- Triggers further evaluation (e.g., DD Form 2792 Family Member Medical Summary or DD Form 2792-1 Special Education Summary) if “yes” answers are marked.
- Required for OCONUS screening, command sponsorship, family travel, and EFMP enrollment/update.
Note on electronic processing: Many installations now use the Enterprise EFMP (E-EFMP) system to generate and process these forms electronically (hand-written versions may no longer be accepted at some locations). Soldiers log in with CAC/DS Logon for the most current workflow.
Who Must Complete DA Form 7246?
- Active-duty Army Soldiers (or spouse) with family members who may have special needs.
- Required during levy briefings, PCS preparation, OCONUS screenings, and periodic EFMP updates.
- Completed before scheduling a medical screening appointment at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF).
Failure to provide accurate information or refusal can result in disciplinary action (minimum General Officer Letter of Reprimand) and may block family travel or command sponsorship.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out DA Form 7246?
Download the official form first (link at the end). Complete it honestly — you’ll discuss “yes” answers with an EFMP screener.
Section 1: Service Member & Family Information
- Soldier’s name/rank, date, branch, unit, phones, projected PCS date, addresses.
- List all family members (name, prefix, sex, DOB). Check if already enrolled in EFMP.
Section 2: Medical & Health History (Past 5 Years)
Answer YES/NO for each family member (exclude the Soldier):
- Hospitalization (not normal childbirth).
- Current specialized medical/mental health or educational services (beyond general practitioner).
- Regular prescribed medications (not birth control).
- Specific conditions: vision/hearing problems, heart conditions, seizures, mobility issues, diabetes, asthma/respiratory, cerebral palsy, delayed speech, sickle cell, cancer, high blood pressure, or other.
- Mental health: psychiatrist/psychologist/social worker treatment, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, emotional/behavioral problems, therapy, or inpatient/residential treatment.
Section 3: Educational Needs
For children only:
- Slow development, learning problems, special services (OT/PT/speech), counseling, intellectual disability, or current IEP/special education placement.
Final Steps
- Provide details for every “YES” (family member name, explanation, provider info).
- Sign and date as the military sponsor or spouse.
- Bring 3–5 years of medical records and this form to your MTF EFMP screening appointment.
Pro Tip: Complete the form with your spouse. List family members exactly as they appear on DA Form 5888 (Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet).
The EFMP Screening & Assignment Process
- Levy/PCS Briefing → Receive DA Form 5888 + DA Form 7246 instructions.
- Complete DA Form 7246 → Soldier/spouse.
- MTF Screening Appointment → EFMP staff reviews records, may require DD Forms 2792/2792-1.
- Enrollment → If special needs are identified, EFMP enrollment is updated in the system.
- Assignment Coordination → Needs are considered for OCONUS moves (medical only for CONUS).
- Ongoing Support → Respite care, case management, and resources through Army Community Service (ACS) EFMP staff.
Benefits of EFMP Enrollment
- Assignment coordination to locations with required services.
- Respite care (temporary caregiver relief).
- Systems navigators for medical, educational, and community resources.
- No impact on promotions or CONUS assignments.
- Access to TRICARE Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is DA Form 7246 only for overseas moves?
A: It’s primarily used for family travel screening and OCONUS, but also supports general EFMP enrollment.
Q: What if I mark “yes” on the form?
A: It triggers a professional review — it does not automatically disqualify your family from travel.
Q: Where do I submit the form?
A: Take the completed form (plus records) to your local MTF EFMP office or ACS for screening.
Q: Is the form still paper-only?
A: Many locations now require electronic generation via E-EFMP. Check with your installation.
Q: How do I update EFMP status later?
A: Contact your local EFMP manager or use the Enterprise EFMP system.
Download Official DA Form 7246 PDF (Free & Current)
Direct official download:
DA Form 7246 – Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Screening Questionnaire (PDF)
This is the Army Publishing Directorate (APD) version. Always use the latest from armypubs.army.mil for your installation.
Additional Official Resources:
- Army EFMP Medical Screening: efmp.amedd.army.mil
- Army MWR EFMP Overview: armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/exceptional-family-member-program
- Enterprise EFMP (CAC login required for electronic processing): efmp.army.mil/EnterpriseEfmp
Final Advice for U.S. Army Families
Completing DA Form 7246 accurately and early is one of the most important steps in protecting your family’s well-being during a PCS. Don’t wait until the last minute — start the process as soon as you receive orders or attend a levy briefing.
If you have questions, reach out to your local Army Community Service (ACS) EFMP coordinator or MTF EFMP office. They are there to help, not hinder.
Need help? Contact Military OneSource or your installation EFMP team today. Your family’s needs matter, and EFMP exists to support you.