DoDI 1300.18 - Department of Defense (DoD) Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures

Scope

DoDI 1300.18 establishes DoD-wide policy for personnel casualty matters, covering the full spectrum from initial report through long-term assistance. The instruction assigns responsibilities to the Military Departments and DoD Components for casualty reporting, primary next of kin (PNOK) notification, Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) assignment and training, survivor benefits coordination, and long-term support programs. The Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Program (MCO 3040.4) implements this instruction for Marine Corps units.

Audience

Casualty officers, S-1 chiefs, and adjutants processing Personnel Casualty Reports (PCRs). Casualty Assistance Calls Officers (CACOs) executing PNOK notification and follow-on assistance. Commanding officers signing casualty notifications and assistance coordination. Marine and Family Services staff managing long-term survivor assistance. HQMC Casualty Section (MRC) administering the Marine Corps casualty program.

Key Provisions

• Personnel Casualty Report (PCR). The PCR is the initial reporting instrument. Units submit PCRs through the chain of command to HQMC Casualty Section within required time windows from the triggering event.
• PNOK notification. Notification of PNOK is executed by a uniformed officer in person within the required notification window. Telephonic notification is reserved for overseas PNOK when in-person notification cannot be completed within the window.
• CACO assignment. A CACO is assigned to the PNOK at notification. CACO responsibilities run from initial notification through benefits coordination, survivor assistance, and case closure.
• Survivor benefits coordination. The CACO coordinates Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI), death gratuity, final pay, and education benefits with the applicable agencies.
• Mortuary affairs. Remains recovery, identification, preparation, and disposition rules sit in coordination with Army Mortuary Affairs (lead DoD proponent).
• Long-term assistance. The Casualty Assistance Readiness Support Program provides continuing support to survivors beyond initial case closure.
• Casualty categories. Killed in Action (KIA), Died of Wounds (DOW), Died of Other Causes (DNEC), Missing in Action (MIA), Captured, Injured, and Ill categories each carry specific reporting and notification rules.

Connection to Marine Corps Policy

• MCO 3040.4 Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Program (MARCORCASASTPRO). Marine Corps implementation. Chapter 4 covers CACO duties, notification procedures, and the long-term assistance program.
• MCO 1770.1 Casualty Assistance Calls Program. CACO certification and training.
• DODFMR Vol 7A Chapter 34 Pay Entitlement of Members Missing or MIA. Pay and entitlement rules for missing personnel.
• MCO 5000.14D Marine Corps Administrative Procedures. S-1 casualty administration responsibilities.

Status

Active. Effective 8 January 2009, with administrative change (Change 1) incorporated. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness sponsors. Distribution Statement A.