Casualty is an inclusive category that can be defined as any person who is lost to an organization by reason of having been declared:

• beleaguered (member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force to prevent escape of its members)
• besieged (member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force for compelling it to surrender)
• captured (seized as the result of action of an unfriendly military or paramilitary force in a foreign country)
• deceased
• detained (prevented from proceeding or is restrained in custody for alleged violation of international law or other reason claimed by the government or group under which the person is being held)
• DUSTWUN (duty status - whereabouts unknown: transitory casualty status, applicable only to military personnel, that is used when the responsible commander suspects the service member may be a casualty whose absence is involuntary, but does not feel sufficient evidence currently exists to make a definite determination of missing or deceased)
• injured or illness
• interned (definitely known to have been taken into custody of a nonbelligerent foreign power as the result of, and for reasons arising out of, any armed conflict in which the armed forces of the United States are engaged)
• missing (not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown)
• missing in action (a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown)
• wounded in action

Casualty is an inclusive category that can be defined as any person who is lost to an organization by reason of having been declared:

• beleaguered (member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force to prevent escape of its members)
• besieged (member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force for compelling it to surrender)
• captured (seized as the result of action of an unfriendly military or paramilitary force in a foreign country)
• deceased
• detained (prevented from proceeding or is restrained in custody for alleged violation of international law or other reason claimed by the government or group under which the person is being held)
• DUSTWUN (duty status - whereabouts unknown: transitory casualty status, applicable only to military personnel, that is used when the responsible commander suspects the service member may be a casualty whose absence is involuntary, but does not feel sufficient evidence currently exists to make a definite determination of missing or deceased)
• injured or illness
• interned (definitely known to have been taken into custody of a nonbelligerent foreign power as the result of, and for reasons arising out of, any armed conflict in which the armed forces of the United States are engaged)
• missing (not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown)
• missing in action (a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown)
• wounded in action

Each Service is responsible for notification of next-of-kin. Each branch of Service has specific procedures for ensuring expeditious and personal notification.

Each Service is responsible for notification of next-of-kin. Each branch of Service has specific procedures for ensuring expeditious and personal notification.

The person most closely related to the casualty is considered the PNOK for notification and assistance purposes.  The PNOK is typically the spouse for married personnel and parents for unmarried service members.  The precedence of NOK with equal relationships to the casualty is governed by seniority (age).  Equal relationship situations include divorced parents, children, and siblings with minor children's rights exercised by their parents or legal guardians.  The adult NOK is typically the first person highest in the line of succession who has reached the age of eighteen.  Even if a service member's spouse is a minor, they are always considered the PNOK.  The following order of precedence is used to identify the PNOK: 

1. spouse
2. natural, adopted, step, and illegitimate children
3. parents
4. persons standing in loco parentis
5. persons granted legal custody of the individual by a court decree
6. brothers or sisters, to include half-brothers or sisters and those who have been adopted
7. grandparents
8. other relatives in order of relationship to the individual according to civil laws
9. if no other persons are available, the Secretary of the military department may be deemed to act on behalf of he individual

The person most closely related to the casualty is considered the PNOK for notification and assistance purposes.  The PNOK is typically the spouse for married personnel and parents for unmarried service members.  The precedence of NOK with equal relationships to the casualty is governed by seniority (age).  Equal relationship situations include divorced parents, children, and siblings with minor children's rights exercised by their parents or legal guardians.  The adult NOK is typically the first person highest in the line of succession who has reached the age of eighteen.  Even if a service member's spouse is a minor, they are always considered the PNOK.  The following order of precedence is used to identify the PNOK: 

1. spouse
2. natural, adopted, step, and illegitimate children
3. parents
4. persons standing in loco parentis
5. persons granted legal custody of the individual by a court decree
6. brothers or sisters, to include half-brothers or sisters and those who have been adopted
7. grandparents
8. other relatives in order of relationship to the individual according to civil laws
9. if no other persons are available, the Secretary of the military department may be deemed to act on behalf of he individual

The purpose of the casualty assistance representative, to the extent the NOK desires, is to provide guidance and assistance for such matters as funeral honors, burial expenses, benefits and entitlements, veteran benefits, and social security benefits. The casualty assistance representative maintains continuous contact with the NOK to ensure that he or she is updated regularly on all matters relating to the case until all entitlements and benefits are received.

The purpose of the casualty assistance representative, to the extent the NOK desires, is to provide guidance and assistance for such matters as funeral honors, burial expenses, benefits and entitlements, veteran benefits, and social security benefits. The casualty assistance representative maintains continuous contact with the NOK to ensure that he or she is updated regularly on all matters relating to the case until all entitlements and benefits are received.

Death gratuity is $100,000.00 regardless of the cause and manner of death of the service member.

Death gratuity is $100,000.00 regardless of the cause and manner of death of the service member.

A legal representative of the service member's estate is entitled to the personal effects. If no legal representative is identified, then the PNOK is entitled to the personal effects and decides where they will be shipped or stored. If a service member is married, the PNOK is the spouse. For unmarried service members, the service member's parents are the PNOK. For service members who are unmarried and whose parents are divorced, then the parent who had legal custody over the service member at the time the member joined the military is the PNOK.

A legal representative of the service member's estate is entitled to the personal effects. If no legal representative is identified, then the PNOK is entitled to the personal effects and decides where they will be shipped or stored. If a service member is married, the PNOK is the spouse. For unmarried service members, the service member's parents are the PNOK. For service members who are unmarried and whose parents are divorced, then the parent who had legal custody over the service member at the time the member joined the military is the PNOK.

The government will pay for the spouse, children, parents (to include parents of the spouse), and the service member's siblings to travel in order to attend the burial.

The government will pay for the spouse, children, parents (to include parents of the spouse), and the service member's siblings to travel in order to attend the burial.

The Lapel Button is presented to the NOK of a service member who dies in an active duty status in recognition of the service member's honorable service. The star within the circle commemorates honorable service; the sprigs of oak refer to the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. The Gold Star Lapel Button is provided to the NOK of service members who lost their lives in combat-related situations.

The Lapel Button is presented to the NOK of a service member who dies in an active duty status in recognition of the service member's honorable service. The star within the circle commemorates honorable service; the sprigs of oak refer to the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. The Gold Star Lapel Button is provided to the NOK of service members who lost their lives in combat-related situations.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT assists installation service providers through the provision of current and reliable information on program-related initiatives and news; links to relevant policies and legislation; Service-specific program links; training resources, promotional materials, and management tools; and recommendations intended to help service providers excel even further in providing comprehensive and high quality casualty assistance services.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT assists installation service providers through the provision of current and reliable information on program-related initiatives and news; links to relevant policies and legislation; Service-specific program links; training resources, promotional materials, and management tools; and recommendations intended to help service providers excel even further in providing comprehensive and high quality casualty assistance services.

Military OneSource provides a comprehensive service to assist with virtually any quality of life question service providers may have. For casualty assistance, Military OneSource provides articles, web links, resource guides, and worksheets and checklists to help surviving family members become educated about their benefits and to help them cope during their time of grief. Military OneSource also provides information for severely injured service members to include resources designed to assist with independent living, living with a disability, military benefits, care and benefits for severely injured service members, and information and resources on specific disabilities.

Installation service providers can utilize the wealth of resources on Military OneSource to supplement their services provided aboard the installations. Additionally, as Military OneSource can be accessed anywhere in the world, service providers can provide assistance to service members and their families when they are not physically located near a military installation by referring them to Military OneSource. Service providers can reach Military OneSource either through the Internet, or by phone.  Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services  from Military OneSource and MFLCs.  To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Military OneSource provides a comprehensive service to assist with virtually any quality of life question service providers may have. For casualty assistance, Military OneSource provides articles, web links, resource guides, and worksheets and checklists to help surviving family members become educated about their benefits and to help them cope during their time of grief. Military OneSource also provides information for severely injured service members to include resources designed to assist with independent living, living with a disability, military benefits, care and benefits for severely injured service members, and information and resources on specific disabilities.

Installation service providers can utilize the wealth of resources on Military OneSource to supplement their services provided aboard the installations. Additionally, as Military OneSource can be accessed anywhere in the world, service providers can provide assistance to service members and their families when they are not physically located near a military installation by referring them to Military OneSource. Service providers can reach Military OneSource either through the Internet, or by phone.  Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services  from Military OneSource and MFLCs.  To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Military OneSource counseling addresses short-term concerns and is limited to twelve sessions per issue. It is not designed to address long-term issues, such as child and spouse abuse, suicidal ideation, and mental illness. Military OneSource face-to-face counseling sessions are short-term, problem-focused sessions that deal with emotional well-being on a variety of issues to include coping with grief and loss of a service member. Military OneSource counselors are licensed, credentialed, and experienced, and they understand the military culture and its unique challenges.

In an effort to further increase access to support, Military OneSource now offers Short-term Solution-Focused Telephonic (STSF-T) Consultation and online consultation. While referrals to non-medical face-to-face counseling sessions continue for those stationed in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the new expanded service provides a telephonic and online consultation option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.

To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) MFLCs are Masters or PhD level, licensed, and credentialed clinical providers that offer intervention and support to military service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families.  Like Military OneSource, they provide up to twelve sessions of non-medical, short-term counseling per person, per issue for every day issues, such as anger management, stress, parenting, communication, family relationships, deployment, coping with grief and loss, and other military-related topics.

MFLCs can be accessed through installation locations such as the Army Community Services (ACS), Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC), and the Airman and Family Readiness Centers (A&FRC). MFLCs will also provide support at National Guard and Reserve Component drill weekends, mobilizations, and family events.  For information about Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) MFLCs, contact the installation Family Center, Child Development Center, or school liaison officer.  Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services  from Military OneSource and MFLCs

Military OneSource counseling addresses short-term concerns and is limited to twelve sessions per issue. It is not designed to address long-term issues, such as child and spouse abuse, suicidal ideation, and mental illness. Military OneSource face-to-face counseling sessions are short-term, problem-focused sessions that deal with emotional well-being on a variety of issues to include coping with grief and loss of a service member. Military OneSource counselors are licensed, credentialed, and experienced, and they understand the military culture and its unique challenges.

In an effort to further increase access to support, Military OneSource now offers Short-term Solution-Focused Telephonic (STSF-T) Consultation and online consultation. While referrals to non-medical face-to-face counseling sessions continue for those stationed in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the new expanded service provides a telephonic and online consultation option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.

To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) MFLCs are Masters or PhD level, licensed, and credentialed clinical providers that offer intervention and support to military service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families.  Like Military OneSource, they provide up to twelve sessions of non-medical, short-term counseling per person, per issue for every day issues, such as anger management, stress, parenting, communication, family relationships, deployment, coping with grief and loss, and other military-related topics.

MFLCs can be accessed through installation locations such as the Army Community Services (ACS), Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC), and the Airman and Family Readiness Centers (A&FRC). MFLCs will also provide support at National Guard and Reserve Component drill weekends, mobilizations, and family events.  For information about Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) MFLCs, contact the installation Family Center, Child Development Center, or school liaison officer.  Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services  from Military OneSource and MFLCs

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities, as everyone else, to participate in the mainstream of American life.  This includes the ability to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services.

The ADA covers all people with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as walking, speaking, lifting, hearing, seeing, reading, sleeping, eating, concentrating, or working. This means that the ADA covers injured service members including those with traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, loss of a limb, vision or hearing loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This law covers everyone with a substantial impairment regardless of whether or not he or she is receiving benefits or other entitlements related to his or her disability.

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities, as everyone else, to participate in the mainstream of American life.  This includes the ability to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services.

The ADA covers all people with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as walking, speaking, lifting, hearing, seeing, reading, sleeping, eating, concentrating, or working. This means that the ADA covers injured service members including those with traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, loss of a limb, vision or hearing loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This law covers everyone with a substantial impairment regardless of whether or not he or she is receiving benefits or other entitlements related to his or her disability.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the areas of post-separation employment, customer access, and civic life.

Employment

• The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified employees or job applicants based on their disability including any eligibility standards that unfairly screen out people with disabilities.
• The Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, which means changing the work environment or job duties to eliminate barriers that keep an individual from being able to perform the job.
  • Typical examples of reasonable accommodations include providing flexible scheduling so an employee with a disability like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can attend counseling sessions, providing a parking space close to the entrance for an employee who has difficulty walking, allowing an employee to bring a service animal to work, or providing specialized equipment for an employee who has lost a hand or arm.

Customer Access

• Businesses that provide goods and services to the public, such as grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and medical offices, must make reasonable accommodations in their policies, procedures, and practices so that people with disabilities can be their customers.
  • Typical examples of reasonable accommodations include modifying a no pet policy to allow a service animal into a business or modifying a gym membership policy to allow a member with a disability to bring an aide.
• Businesses must communicate effectively with customers who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities.  The businesses, not the customers, are responsible for providing the necessary tools or services.
  • Typical examples of effective communication accommodations include reading a menu to someone with vision loss or providing a large print copy of a rental contract.
• Businesses must remove architectural barriers when it is readily achievable to do so.
  • Typical examples of barrier removal include installing a ramp, providing accessible parking spaces, or lowering a paper towel dispenser.
• All facilities built since the ADA went into effect must be accessible to and usable by people who have mobility or sensory disabilities.

Civic Life

• State and local governments must modify activities and services to comply with the ADA.  Public services include public trade schools, community colleges, libraries, public hospitals, parks, public transportation, etc.  Governments must follow the ADA rules concerning policy modification, effective communication, and facility construction similar to the rules that businesses follow. 
• All programs have to be accessible, but not necessarily all facilities have to be accessible.  Governments can choose whether to remove barriers at an inaccessible facility, move a program to an accessible facility, or find another way to make it possible for people with disabilities to participate in the program.
  • Typical examples of modifications by a state or local government are relocating a public meeting to a wheelchair accessible location or allowing library book drop off by mail.
• If a city or county employs more than fifty people, it must have an ADA coordinator.  State agencies should have an ADA coordinator as well. 

The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the areas of post-separation employment, customer access, and civic life.

Employment

• The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified employees or job applicants based on their disability including any eligibility standards that unfairly screen out people with disabilities.
• The Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, which means changing the work environment or job duties to eliminate barriers that keep an individual from being able to perform the job.
  • Typical examples of reasonable accommodations include providing flexible scheduling so an employee with a disability like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can attend counseling sessions, providing a parking space close to the entrance for an employee who has difficulty walking, allowing an employee to bring a service animal to work, or providing specialized equipment for an employee who has lost a hand or arm.

Customer Access

• Businesses that provide goods and services to the public, such as grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and medical offices, must make reasonable accommodations in their policies, procedures, and practices so that people with disabilities can be their customers.
  • Typical examples of reasonable accommodations include modifying a no pet policy to allow a service animal into a business or modifying a gym membership policy to allow a member with a disability to bring an aide.
• Businesses must communicate effectively with customers who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities.  The businesses, not the customers, are responsible for providing the necessary tools or services.
  • Typical examples of effective communication accommodations include reading a menu to someone with vision loss or providing a large print copy of a rental contract.
• Businesses must remove architectural barriers when it is readily achievable to do so.
  • Typical examples of barrier removal include installing a ramp, providing accessible parking spaces, or lowering a paper towel dispenser.
• All facilities built since the ADA went into effect must be accessible to and usable by people who have mobility or sensory disabilities.

Civic Life

• State and local governments must modify activities and services to comply with the ADA.  Public services include public trade schools, community colleges, libraries, public hospitals, parks, public transportation, etc.  Governments must follow the ADA rules concerning policy modification, effective communication, and facility construction similar to the rules that businesses follow. 
• All programs have to be accessible, but not necessarily all facilities have to be accessible.  Governments can choose whether to remove barriers at an inaccessible facility, move a program to an accessible facility, or find another way to make it possible for people with disabilities to participate in the program.
  • Typical examples of modifications by a state or local government are relocating a public meeting to a wheelchair accessible location or allowing library book drop off by mail.
• If a city or county employs more than fifty people, it must have an ADA coordinator.  State agencies should have an ADA coordinator as well. 

There are other federal disability rights laws that cover housing, air travel, telecommunications, federal programs, and other topics.  More information about these laws can be found in A Guide to Disability Rights Laws.

In addition, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants on the basis of their military status or military obligations.  It also protects the reemployment rights of people who leave civilian jobs to serve in the uniformed services.  It applies to all veterans, not just those with service-connected disabilities.  Under USERRA, employers must make reasonable efforts to help returning employees become qualified for reemployment in the positions they would have attained if they had not left for military duty or in comparable positions.  More information is available under the USERRA topic in the MilitaryHOMEFRONT Troops and Families section.

Across the United States, organizations called Independent Living Centers provide information about benefit programs and other services for people with disabilities.  Contact information for local centers can be accessed by calling 800-949-4232 (voice and TTY).

State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies also offer services to help people with disabilities enter or return to employment. State-by-state contact information is available through the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.

There are other federal disability rights laws that cover housing, air travel, telecommunications, federal programs, and other topics.  More information about these laws can be found in A Guide to Disability Rights Laws.

In addition, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants on the basis of their military status or military obligations.  It also protects the reemployment rights of people who leave civilian jobs to serve in the uniformed services.  It applies to all veterans, not just those with service-connected disabilities.  Under USERRA, employers must make reasonable efforts to help returning employees become qualified for reemployment in the positions they would have attained if they had not left for military duty or in comparable positions.  More information is available under the USERRA topic in the MilitaryHOMEFRONT Troops and Families section.

Across the United States, organizations called Independent Living Centers provide information about benefit programs and other services for people with disabilities.  Contact information for local centers can be accessed by calling 800-949-4232 (voice and TTY).

State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies also offer services to help people with disabilities enter or return to employment. State-by-state contact information is available through the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The ADA: Know Your Rights – Returning Service Members with Disabilities booklet provides an in-depth explanation of the ADA as well as links to other helpful publications and additional contact information for many different agencies.  Additional information is also available on the ADA website or by calling 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY).

The ADA: Know Your Rights – Returning Service Members with Disabilities booklet provides an in-depth explanation of the ADA as well as links to other helpful publications and additional contact information for many different agencies.  Additional information is also available on the ADA website or by calling 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY).