SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- It's that time of year again. Along with beautiful weather comes the need for youth school and sports physicals. Currently, the pediatric clinic has openings for both types of physical exams. 

Each year, many people wait until a few days before their physical paperwork has to be turned in to schedule their appointments. This delay causes significant stress for all involved. 

The key to avoiding a mad rush is to schedule physicals early. The ideal way to keep your child up to date after age two is to have a physical done each year in conjunction with their birth month. Remember that physicals may be scheduled up to 28 days in advance, depending on availability. 

If your child has an annual physical, any required paperwork from schools or sports can be completed for up to one year from the physical exam date. 

If it has been more than one year since your child's last physical, an appointment will need to be made. If you are unsure of the date of your child's last physical, call the pediatric clinic. 

We will have access to the records of all the physicals done at the 4th Medical Operations Squadron's clinic. This will not only save you from the inconvenience of another appointment, but will also keep more appointments available for others. 

The importance of keeping your scheduled appointment cannot be overemphasized. If you book an appointment, and don't show up or call to cancel it, then it is a lost appointment that could have been used by someone else. When you call to reschedule, you will be given the next available appointment which may be another 28 days away. If you cannot wait until your scheduled time, there are urgent care clinics that will perform physicals. Please note that TRICARE covers annual physical exams required for school enrollment for beneficiaries, ages five to 11. This benefit does not include physicals that may be required to participate in sports activities. 

The pediatric clinic will continue to accommodate physicals for children age two and under in order to keep current developmental exams on record and immunizations up to date. You may schedule any 4th Medical Group appointments through www.tricareonline.com or by calling 722-1802.