Final answer:
The DD Form 689, or Individual Sick Slip, is used by U.S. military service members to document medical visits and communicate health status to command. It records treatment requests, duty limitations, and recommendations from medical officers regarding the member's fitness for duty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The DD Form 689, also known as the Individual Sick Slip, is a document used within the United States military. Its primary purpose is to record a service member's request for medical treatment and to document any time away from duty for medical reasons.
It serves as a record for outpatient visits to a medical treatment facility and is used to notify the commander about the service member's fitness for duty and any limitations or restrictions.
When a service member falls ill or is injured, they must fill out the DD Form 689 with the assistance of a medical officer. This form is then presented to their commanding officer and the personnel office for acknowledgment and appropriate action.
The form contains information such as the individual's identification, the date of the medical visit, the medical officer's recommendations, and any duty limitations.
In summary, the DD Form 689 is an important administrative tool that helps keep track of military personnel's medical status and ensures that any health-related concerns are properly documented and communicated within the chain of command.