A couple questions about how military casualties are handled

[auburngrad82]

I'm working on a story and the questions may seem morbid, but I need to be able to provide realistic details for the story. So if you know how the military deals with the situations listed I would appreciate any help.

In the movies there are always two soldiers who go to the home of the fallen soldier and deliver the news in person. Is this really how it's done? If so, I'm assuming one is a chaplain. What rank and position is the other? And does the rank and position of the messengers depend on the rank of the fallen soldier?

Also, how do the families claim the remains of their family member? Are the remains flown into the military base and can the family meet the casket or is it more of a cargo type situation where the casket is shipped and delivered to the mortician in the soldier's home town?

Finally, is a week a reasonable amount of time for the body to be returned to the family from Iraq, or does it take considerably longer?

Thanks for any help.

[RiDuvessa]

1. Casualty Assistance Officer

There is a lot of factors that go into this. Most of the time, two individuals will call on the family member. One will usually be a chaplain of the religion of the service member. The other will be a Casualty Assistance Officer. (different services have different names.) The CAO has taken a class and been trained in the job. Usually the CAO will be a senior enlisted (E-7 and above) or an Officer. Usually, the rank of the CAO delivering the news to the family will have a rough correlation to the rank of the deceased.

The remains will be shipped to wherever the family wants them to go. When coming from overseas, they always past through Dover AFB. That's where all peacetime and wartime remains are processed. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover_AFB > They do all the paperwork and make sure that the remains are properly dressed and have the proper honors. The family can meet the casket at the base but that is usually not recommended. Once all the remains are processed at Dover, then they are flown to the funeral home requested by the family. The remains are also usually accompanied by a military member from the deceased's unit.

The time it takes for the remains to return CONUS depends on the rules of the country they originate from. Usually a week is a pretty good time frame, but it can take longer depending on the situation. They try to expedite the process for obvious reasons.

[RiDuvessa]

2. You might want to cross-post to the veterans forum

eom.

[auburngrad82]

3. Thanks for the help

I couldn't find much but then again I didn't know what to google. Thanks again.