The city of Rota lies at the western edge of Spain, approximately 45 miles north of Gibraltar. Rota is a seven hour flight time from Norfolk and Dover, and approximately three hours flight time from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Many medical specialty and subspecialty services are not available in Rota. The purpose of Overseas Suitability Screening (OSS) is to ensure that the medical, dental, and educational needs of service members and their families can be met with existing resources.
Per BUMEDINST 1300.2B, the OSS process is required to be completed within 15 days of receipt of PCS orders for service members, and 30 days of receipt of PCS orders for dependents. Due to the potential delay in receipt of hard copy orders being received by the service member close to the actual transfer date, it is highly recommended to initiate the OSS process upon receipt of verbal PCS orders to Rota. It is important that an OSS be completed on each service and family member.
Your OSS should be hand-carried with you as you execute your PCS. It will be asked for upon arrival. Do not place it in your baggage or with your household goods. Failure to have copies of your OSS with you may delay your check-in to Naval Station Rota.
Click HERE for a detailed list of physical and mental conditions that require an inquiry to be sent directly to U.S. Naval Hospital Rota for consideration.
Service members who marry or acquire dependents after receipt of orders to Rota must ensure that screening of dependents is completed PRIOR TO ARRIVAL in Spain, in order to ensure that dependents' medical needs can be met with available medical resources in Rota.
Overseas Screening is required for Command Sponsorship of dependents. After submission of Overseas Suitability Screening documentation, if there are any changes whatsoever in the mental or physical state of dependents being screened, or to those dependents whom already have completed the overseas screening process, re-screening is required PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN ROTA. A proper screening helps to ensure a successful tour for the service member, his or her family, and the service member's new command.
Suggestions to expedite the screening process
• Start the OSS process immediately upon receipt of verbal PCS orders
• Only appointed screeners are able to request OSS for service members and dependents. Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) may not sign dependent screenings
• Provide the DD2807-1 and the NAVMED 1300-1 and any additional information along with the request for OSS
• Ensure eligible family members with special needs, whether they be medical, educational, or both, are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
• Your OSS should be hand-carried with you as you execute your PCS. It will be asked for upon arrival. Do not place it in your baggage or with your household goods. Failure to have copies of your OSS with you may delay your check-in to Naval Station Rota.
For further details and to address specific questions about any related OSS issues, please see your area screener. The screener will be able to go into great detail and answer all questions pertaining to your specific situation.