CACO Assignment - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The HQMC Casualty Section coordinates CACO assignments at the national level. The local command provides CACO candidates per Chapter 2 Section 2 (Casualty Assistance Program Training). The S-1 officer briefs the assigned CACO on duties and responsibilities per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 3. The commander signs the CACO assignment order.

Source documents flow from the certified PCR, the HQMC Casualty Section assignment direction, the candidate roster (Marines who completed CACP training), and the Marine's grade and rank record. CACO assignment actions land as assignment orders, training verification records, and case file foundations. Outputs include the signed CACO assignment, the brief documentation, the duties roster, and the reassignment record where applicable.

Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 2 (Assigning a CACO), the CACO must be senior to or peer with the deceased. The CACO must have completed Casualty Assistance Program Training per Chapter 2 Section 2 prior to assignment. Per Section 2 paragraph 3 (Duties and Responsibilities), the duties extend through the entire casualty assistance period.

Trigger events

• HQMC Casualty Section requests CACO assignment for a confirmed casualty.
• Local CACO candidate pool requires refresh.
• CACO reassignment required per Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 4.
• Mass casualty event triggers multiple CACO assignments.
• Long Term Assistance Program activation.
• Readiness Support Program (RSP) activation per Chapter 4.
• Annual Casualty Assistance Program Training cycle opens per Chapter 2.

Processing workflow

1. Coordinate with HQMC Casualty Section. The S-1 officer receives CACO assignment direction per the order rules.
2. Identify the CACO candidate. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 2, the candidate must be senior to or peer with the deceased.
3. Verify CACP Training completion. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 2 Section 2, CACO candidates must have completed Casualty Assistance Program Training.
4. Brief duties and responsibilities. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 3 (Duties and Responsibilities), brief on full scope of duties.
5. Process reassignment when required. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 4 (Reassignment of Responsibilities), reassign the CACO when circumstances warrant.
6. Confirm CACO grade and rank. The commander signs the assignment order with grade and rank validation.
7. Document the assignment. Capture in the casualty case file with date, CACO name, EDIPI, and training certification.
8. Track CACO duties. Maintain visibility on CACO progress through the casualty assistance period.
9. Coordinate Long Term Assistance Program. Per Chapter 4, route long-term needs.
10. Process Readiness Support Program (RSP). Per Chapter 4, activate RSP when applicable.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• HQMC Casualty Section coordination. Routes CACO assignments.
• Unit CACP training roster. Local roster of Marines who completed CACP training.
• DCIPS. Tracks CACO assignment at national level.
• Unit casualty case file. Local record of CACO assignment and progress.

Forms

• CACO Assignment Order. Local format signed by the commander.
• CACP Training Certificate. Documents completion of Casualty Assistance Program Training.
• Duties and Responsibilities Brief Sheet. Local format documenting the briefing.
• Reassignment Memorandum. Per Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 4 when applicable.

Common pitfalls

• CACO assigned without senior-to-or-peer-with rule satisfied. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 2, the rank rule is mandatory.
• CACO assigned without CACP Training. Per Chapter 2 Section 2, training must complete before assignment.
• Duties briefing skipped. Per Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 3, the brief is required. The CACO arrives without clarity.
• Reassignment processed informally. Per Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 4, reassignment follows the order rules. Document the basis.
• CACP candidate pool depleted before mass casualty. Maintain rolling training cycle per Chapter 2 Section 2.

Decision points

• Grade and rank match. Multiple candidates qualify. The S-1 officer picks the candidate best aligned to the family situation per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 2.
• Cross-unit CACO request. The unit lacks an appropriate candidate. The S-1 officer requests cross-unit support through the chain per the order rules.
• Reassignment basis. The assigned CACO is unable to continue. Per Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 4, reassign with documented basis.

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2 (Assigning a CACO). Paragraph 1 covers general. Paragraph 2 covers assigning a CACO including the senior-to-or-peer-with rule. Paragraph 3 covers duties and responsibilities. Paragraph 4 covers reassignment of responsibilities. Chapter 2 Section 2 (Casualty Assistance Program Training) sets the training prerequisite. DoD-level policy at DODI 1300.18DODI 1300.18. S-1 responsibilities sit at MCO 5000.14DMCO 5000.14D MCAP enclosure 4. The processing workflow maps to NAVMC 3500.3E T-R event 0102-GENA-2111 (Advise Commander on PNOK Notification).

Related references

• MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 2. Authoritative CACO assignment rules.
• MCO 3040.4 Chapter 2 Section 2. Casualty Assistance Program Training prerequisites.
• DODI 1300.18 DoD Personnel Casualty Matters. DoD-level policy.
• MCO 5000.14D Marine Corps Administrative Procedures. S-1 CACO responsibilities.
• NAVMC 3500.3E Manpower and Administration T-R Manual. Event 0102-GENA-2111.