Pre-Commissioning

Pre-Commissioning Medical Screening Process

If you are recommended as a primary or alternate candidate by the Officer Personnel Board (OPB) to receive a temporary appointment into the NOAA Corps, you will be required to submit the following items prior to the scheduling of your pre-commissioning physical examination:

Report of Medical History (DD Form 2807-1) is used as a self-reporting tool and does not require a physician's signature
Authorization for Release of Medical Records to Department of Commerce/NOAA (NOAA Form 56-67)
Active Duty/Reserve Forces Dental Examination (DD Form 2813)
Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (CPC Form 57-17-02 , pdf, 431.31 KB) (NOAA Form 57-17-2)
Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings (CG 719 K/E)
Immunization records and a women's wellness exam (if applicable)

The completed forms and medical information must be sent to the Medical Administration Branch electronically using NOAA's Accellion Secure File Transfer (invitation to use is required) or it may be placed in a sealed envelope marked "Confidential Medical Information" and sent via overnight mail to:

Attention: Medical Administration Branch
NOAA/Commissioned Personnel Center,
8403 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Once your forms are reviewed, you may be required to submit additional medical documentation pertaining to medical condition(s) identified on your Form DD2807-1.

You will receive written notification from the Medical Administration Branch if additional medical information is necessary.

Additional medical documentation must be submitted to the Medical Administration Branch within 10 days of request. In order to expedite the pre-commissioning physical examination process, it is highly recommended that you have a copy of your medical records pertaining to medical conditions identified on your Form DD2807-1 readily available.

Note: In some cases you will not be scheduled for a pre-commissioning physical examination until this information has been received and reviewed.)

Each primary candidate and selected alternate is required to undergo a pre-commissioning physical examination and will report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for completion of a NOAA pre-commissioning physical examination.

The pre-commissioning physical examination will be scheduled at the closest MEPS within your geographical location. A representative from the United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) Headquarters will contact the primary candidates and selected alternates via telephone to schedule a physical examination at MEPS.

Remaining alternates will be contacted to schedule a physical if it appears that a primary candidate slot may become available for him/her.

Selected candidates must be able to satisfactorily pass the mental and physical examination as prescribed by the NOAA Corps Directives in order to receive an appointment in the NOAA Corps.

Primary candidates and selected alternates must be prepared to bring a copy of the following items to the pre-commissioning physical examination:

Immunization records
Eyeglass prescription for glasses or contacts (if applicable-must be written within the past 10 months)
Current wellness examination and PAP smear report (females only)-if available and performed within the past 10 months
A current mammogram report (females age 40 and older)-if available and performed within the past 10 months
A current dental examination and bite wing x-rays (if available and performed within the past 10 months)
PPD results (if available and performed within the past 10 months)

Note: Upon completion of the pre-commissioning physical examination conducted at MEPS, additional testing may be required to assist the medical officer in making a final medical determination regarding your medical suitability for the NOAA Corps.

Any expenses associated with additional testing outside of the scope of the NOAA prescribed pre-commissioning physical examination will be at your own expense.