Which of the following is a trigger event for DES, except one?

• A. Permanent change of station (PCS) cancellation for administrative actions
• B. Provider identification
• C. Commander requests evaluation
• D. Medical Retention Standards Branch identification and direction

Answer: (A)

Trigger events are the situations that prompt a medical evaluation under DES to determine fitness for duty and retention. They include when a healthcare provider identifies a condition that requires medical review, when a commander requests an evaluation due to concerns about a member’s ability to perform duties, and when the Medical Retention Standards Branch identifies and directs an evaluation or retention action. A PCS cancellation for administrative actions is an administrative decision and does not by itself initiate the DES medical review. Therefore, that option is not a trigger for DES.