As a Chaplain, I went on my first Casualty Notification accompanying the Notification Officer back in January. It's not an easy thing to see parents bereft of a child but at least the notification comes with dignity, as it should.
Chaplain .... Seriously I have been to a few funerals and chaplains always and I mean always hijack funerals and talk about themselves usually.. y'all make me sick . It's about U always
I did...all aspects. CNO,CAO, and Government Casuality Facilitator. All in 5 years time. This Training Film hit me hardest because self-inflicting causality was the rage during 2004 thru 2012. Many times, I've thought about it. Yet, my family, my faith and the support of the Casualty Affairs, they knew the signs and I knew my troops.
My father-in-law did this more times than I can count. When the war in Iraq first kicked off I as a military police officer I was called out to escort a casualty affairs team to a home on Fort Hood because they couldn't find the address. I got them to the address and while we were waiting for the family to come to the door I asked what unit it was and when they told me I damn near collapsed. It was my wife's company. They had only been in the country for two weeks. There were five casualties from her company and even though it really isn't protocol after I explained the situation they confirmed to me that she was not one on the list. That was the end of work for me that day.
Suicide is no joke ! As a medic I helped many soldiers with severe problems with mental illness. The symptoms and signs are usually not noticeable at first . Being withdrawn, always on duty, never taking a break. I knew someone like this . I stopped him from killing him self one night. We talked all night. And took notes , and handed them to a doctor in the morning. He got the help he needed. That was the last I heard of him
To anyone who has been notified this way or vice versa, my sincere apologies are with you guys and my humbled appreciation for those who still have to make this call. People couldn't do it without you
I’m not crying I’m not crying I’m not crying I’m not crying I’m not crying I’m not crying ... ... ... ... It’s just onions... ... ... ... ... Okay now I’m crying
I did this notification duty in 1967 and 1968. Again from 1970 to 1973. The video is mostly nonsense so how does one know what is true and what is not true? It is extremely difficult. I've been attacked by a brother, lectured about being in Vietnam (and why I'm not there), had young widows sobbing uncontrollably (and we can't touch anyone) and also been thanked for doing a difficult duty. After some time has passed I have even been visited by the next of kin and given some small token of their appreciation. Funeral isn't so bad, the initial contact is emotional, to say the least. Even had to call 911 on an elderly mother who appeared to be having a heart attack. We try to follow the rules and guidelines but each one is different and we have to do the best we can. I have done it all, pall bearer, folding the flag, presenting the flag to next-of-kin, firing squad, but not the bugler.
As a grandson of a retired military service member this video kills me I lost my poppa almost 10 years ago. He died of agent orange exposure, some 40 years after Vietnam. I feel so bad for any family who must go through this. Rest in Peace soldiers, we all owe you a debt of gratitude. The strain, and the guilt they feel is something I dont want to try to even imagine. We salute all of you. Rest easy poppa we miss you so very much.
When I deployed OIF/OEF my Dad used to say a good day was one where he didn't see Class A's or Blues. I have only gone to two ramp ceremonies, those were hard but I cannot imagine how hard it is to tell a family they lost a hero.
This is so spot on! As a Paramedic and former Fire Chief who also served as a civilian contractor in both Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan developments being the one to tell the loved ones that I can not save there loved one or change the reason I was requested there! I will be that person and face they will remember for the rest of there life's of the worst day of life! But that is what comes with the huge responsibility I took on when starting my passion of my career! God bless everyone who has lost there loved ones and to my awesome country the USA and everyone who fights for her and her people!
@@dogguy8603 absolutely they aren’t. Sailors, for example, are NOT trained to go to families and tell loved ones of the death of son/daughter, maybe Commanding Officers are, I would suggest they are, but the ONLY actual one’s who go and deliver the news are the Chaplains.
Thank you, sir. This skit has been the most informative on dignified transfer and the people involved. Your video lends authenticity and correct info for a book I'm working on. Thank you.
Have you seen a dignified transfer? Watch Taking Chance (movie), The Messenger (movie), and also subscribe to honoring the fallen dot org m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TYps5JhoeNE.html 🎥 Honoring The Fallen - RU-vid
My dad, a retired Air Force medic died of non-hodhkin's lymphoma from Agent Orange on 20 November 2019, 52 years after his combat tour of duty in Vietnam. He always told me Agent Orange would probably get him some day like a lot of his friends. Some die on the battlefield. For others, it's years after combat that death catches up. Sure miss you dad!
Mrs Smith and smith junior and lady smith .. the secretary of the navy and on behalf the president and the congress of the united States... We regretfully inform you your son corpal lance Wiis mcgil the fifth has been killed in action in fulijua. His unit was engaged in an heavy battle where his marines were pinned down . Corpal mcgil bravely and unselfishly decided to enage the enemy and run across no man's road and pull out private Ryan who severely wounded by enemy snipers ... After getting the private back safely to a medic he went back and enaged and killed several insurgent fighters until he was finally taken out by an RP
Now how the mother reacted was a slap from teneese . A poor black mom who couldn't afford to raise her son. The country was able to bring honour and purpose to this street youth. Instead of being a thug he went another route .
I was casualty assistance for one of the paratroopers injured during the Pop AFB crash in 93. I was a go between for the family and the medical staff as the soldier was being stabilized. I didn't enjoy it because I had zero answers for them. I was also on burial detail as the firing party NCO for the 21 gun salute portion. I was fortunate to never have to be around the families. Very emotional times and one of the kids we buried did commit suicide. Just because I will never ever not be an infantryman, the first thing I noticed on the Sgts uniform is in the first portion of this while he's getting his instructions, he's not wearing his infantry cord but is later in the video.
When you get the news, you're in shock. So many things going through your mind. I'm sure there will be a million questions asked eventually. These things are so hard to comprehend and hard to believe when you are first told.
Served 93-97. Was asked to rejoin after 9/11. Knew my history. Told the recruiter. The Russians lost. Why would we do any better? I was right over 20 years later. Stupid war and waste of lives..
My cousin, my big bro. Breadwinner of his family, had to identify the burned scrambled remains of our older cousin and brother. Being the shield to witness, identify and insure his mother and other relatives did not witness his remains. Their are things some of us are able to bare with dignity, no matter the how vial, and things we tell the family to be at rest. I learned that from him.
Almost all vets know the number, the number of veterans taking their life every single day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And too many vets know or know of someone who has or has tried suicide. Seems those who have seen war, never stop seeing it.
I was a Chaplains Asst in the 60s. There were some really bad Chaplain's then Had one clown that made all the notifications by phone. If no one answered he would leave a message on their answering machine.
I remember when my friend’s husband was killed in the military. You know when you see the military men pulling up and getting out of their vehicles it is not going to be good news. We knew when we saw them he was killed.
I recently went thru this training and yes, there are a few more parts. They all made the tears flow, to be honest! I know they are actors but damn. And now I have to do this for the first time after just having the training, and I'm so nervous! I haven't met the survivor yet but already i feel like things are all messed up. I don't think anything can really prepare someone to do this duty.... On a side note, the girl playing Cruz is hot. Very.
God Bless The Men And Women Who Have This Job, It has got to be by far a very difficult thing to have to do. God bless all our families who have lost love ones in war.
I feel for those tasked with notification of next of kin. However, this film demonstrates there are scripted attempts at masking the reality, which, long term, only delays the healing of those mourning. For example, the term "dignified transfer" seems redundant. One would assume that any transfer of remains, military or not, would be as dignified as possible.
Worked at a cemetery for a short while when I got out of service. I assure you none of the transfers I witnessed where dignified in any way. It was disgusting to see people swear and cuss dead bodies because someone had to move it from slab to coffin. Get cremated is all I can say on the subject. I sounded the alarm on every single illegal practice that I saw when I quit, the state did nothing about any of it, sadly.
I see you posted this 6 years ago. Yes, you can. The Army (as do all branches) need someone with compassion and strength. Please let us know if you've joined. Blessings on any journey you choose.
@@KellysCreativeDreams if i am already in the army as a 25s can i get training to assist with this anyways. I am a caring and compassionate person who has had to be on the receiving end of these notifications.
As a previous CAO during my military career, this is a very serious matter and should not be on a youtube video presentation, this should be removed IMMEDIATELY !!!
