Casualty assistance officer

Although they go by different titles—Casualty Assistance Officer (Army), Casualty Assistance Representative (Air Force), Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard)—all casualty assistance officers in the United States share the unenviable task of personally informing the families of service members that their relative has died. Besides supporting the family immediately following a casualty, the representatives are obligated both to eliminate delay in settling claims and paying survivor benefits and to assist the family in other personnel-related affairs.

In all branches of the military, casualty assistance officers must meet certain qualifications. They typically must have served a number of years in active duty and are often senior enlisted members.