PNOK Notification - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), designated per Chapter 4 Section 2 paragraph 2, runs primary next-of-kin notification per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3. The HQMC Casualty Section coordinates national-level notification routing. The S-1 officer briefs the CACO before notification per Section 3 paragraph 5. The commander authorizes notification dispatch.

Source documents flow from the certified PCR, the DD Form 93 emergency data identifying PNOK, the Marine's MCTFS record, and the CACO Guide to Benefits and Entitlements per Section 3 paragraph 4. Notification actions land as notification records, condolence call logs, and the casualty case file foundation. Outputs include the documented notification, the condolence call record, the secondary NOK notification record, and the briefing to command on notification completion.

Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 1 (General), notification of casualty to the PNOK is one of the most important responsibilities the Marine Corps performs. Per Section 3 paragraph 7 (Conduct of Personal Notification), in-person notification is the standard. Telephonic or message notification applies only when in-person notification is not feasible within reasonable time per the order rules.

Trigger events

• PCR submitted triggering PNOK notification chain.
• HQMC Casualty Section assigns CACO to the case.
• DD Form 93 identifies primary NOK and secondary NOK.
• Status change (e.g., hospitalized to deceased) triggers updated notification.
• Condolence call schedule triggers subsequent contact.
• Secondary NOK notification required per Section 1 paragraph 2.
• Other concerned individuals identified per Section 1 paragraph 3.

Processing workflow

1. Determine primary and secondary NOK. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 1 paragraph 2, identify PNOK and SNOK from DD Form 93 and MCTFS dependency records.
2. Identify other concerned individuals. Per Chapter 4 Section 1 paragraph 3, identify additional individuals warranting notification.
3. Coordinate notification timeline. The S-1 officer coordinates with the HQMC Casualty Section on notification timing.
4. Brief the CACO. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 5 (Notification/Condolence Guidelines), brief the CACO before notification. Include the casualty circumstance, the PNOK identification, and the planned approach.
5. Conduct personal notification. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 7 (Conduct of Personal Notification), the CACO conducts in-person notification.
6. Confirm in-person notification feasibility. When in-person notification is feasible within reasonable time, in-person is the standard. Telephonic notification applies only when in-person is not feasible.
7. Process condolence calls. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 3 (Condolence Calls), schedule and conduct condolence calls per the order rules.
8. Document notification completion. Capture date, time, method, and personnel present.
9. Coordinate methods of notification. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 6 (Methods of Notification/Condolence), apply the right method per circumstance.
10. Brief the command. The CACO briefs the S-1 officer and the commander on notification completion.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• HQMC Casualty Section coordination. Routes PNOK notification.
• DCIPS. Tracks national-level notification status.
• Unit casualty case file. Local record of notification events.

Forms

• DD Form 93 Record of Emergency Data. Identifies PNOK and SNOK.
• CACO Guide to Benefits and Entitlements. Per MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 4.
• Notification Worksheet. Local format documenting notification event.
• Condolence Call Log. Per Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 3.

Common pitfalls

• Telephonic notification used when in-person is feasible. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 7, in-person is the standard.
• DD Form 93 stale. PNOK identification is wrong. Refresh DD Form 93 annually and at every life event.
• CACO not briefed before notification. The CACO arrives without context. Per Section 3 paragraph 5, brief the CACO before dispatch.
• Secondary NOK notification skipped. Per Section 1 paragraph 2, SNOK notification follows PNOK notification under the order rules.
• Other concerned individuals overlooked. Per Section 1 paragraph 3, additional individuals warrant notification per the order.

Decision points

• In-person versus telephonic notification. Per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Section 3 paragraph 7, in-person is the standard. Telephonic applies only when in-person is not feasible within reasonable time. The CACO calls.
• Condolence call timing. Per Section 3 paragraph 3, condolence calls follow the initial notification. The CACO schedules per the order rules.
• SNOK simultaneous versus sequential notification. The PNOK and SNOK are geographically separated. The CACO coordinates with the HQMC Casualty Section for parallel or sequential notification per Section 1 paragraph 2.

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4 Sections 1 and 3. Section 1 paragraph 2 covers determining PNOK and SNOK. Section 1 paragraph 3 covers other concerned individuals. Section 3 paragraph 1 covers notification as a primary responsibility. Section 3 paragraph 2 covers manner of notification. Section 3 paragraph 3 covers condolence calls. Section 3 paragraph 4 covers the CACO Guide to Benefits and Entitlements. Section 3 paragraph 5 covers Notification/Condolence Guidelines. Section 3 paragraph 6 covers Methods of Notification/Condolence. Section 3 paragraph 7 covers Conduct of Personal Notification. 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 Sections 1 and 3. Authoritative PNOK notification rules.
• DODI 1300.18 DoD Personnel Casualty Matters. DoD-level policy.
• MCO 5000.14D Marine Corps Administrative Procedures. S-1 notification responsibilities.
• MCO P1070.12K Individual Records Administration Manual. DD Form 93 record administration.
• NAVMC 3500.3E Manpower and Administration T-R Manual. Event 0102-GENA-2111.