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Military details notification process in case of injury, death

Oct- 8-2005 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

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By MARGARET FRIEDENAUER, News-Miner

With 4,200 Alaska-based Army troops serving in war zones, military officials acknowledge the likelihood of casualties hitting very close to home.

After the injury or death of a soldier, the military says its first priority is to protect the family from the prying eyes of the media and public in the days following tragedy. While the public will be quickly notified that a local soldier has been killed in action, no additional information will be released until 24 hours after the family has been notified in person.

"The 24-hour grieving period gives the next of kin a little more time to process their grief before the public and the media learn of their loss," said Maj. Kirk Gohlke, U.S. Army Alaska public affairs officer.

The notification process is set in motion the moment a member of the armed services is injured or killed in action.

If a member of the 172nd is killed in action, the process starts when the patrol radios headquarters about the incident. The report quickly reaches the brigade headquarters or Tactical Operation Center in Iraq. The brigade headquarters then notifies a number of organizations: the rear detachment commander at Fort Wainwright Army Post, the U.S. Army Alaska Command Center at Fort Richardson and the Casualty Operations Center in Kuwait. The Casualty Operations Center notifies the Department of Defense. [...]

This useful news story continues with additional information.


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