When an active duty sponsor is retiring and they have a dependent over the age of 18, who must fill out the DD Form 2138, Request for Transfer of Outpatient Record, for the dependent?

• A. The sponsor
• B. The gaining unit
• C. The dependent
• D. The primary care manager

Answer: (C)

When an adult dependent’s outpatient records need to move, the person whose records they are must authorize the transfer. An adult dependent has control over their own medical information, so they must complete the DD Form 2138 to request transfer of their records to the new facility or sponsor's medical team. Privacy and consent rules require the patient’s signature for such transfers. The sponsor, the gaining unit, or the primary care manager don’t initiate the transfer on behalf of the adult dependent; they can assist, but the authorization comes from the dependent themselves.