Kalbo
04-18-03, 07:52 PM
This is really sick...
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR(April 17, 2003) -- Recently, anonymous callers have targeted families of deployed service members in San Diego, Delaware, Alabama and Michigan, using the American Red Cross name. Callers identifying themselves as Red Cross representatives "inform" families that their loved ones have become prisoners of war, are missing in action or have been killed.
The official Red Cross web site called this hoax disturbing and stressed how important it is for families to understand it is military casualty officers, and not the Red Cross, that notify families in the event a service member becomes a casualty. So far, cases have not appeared on this base, but have affected 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing families based elsewhere. However, there are things families here at MCAS Miramar can do to protect themselves from such a threat.
Capt. Robert Rigal, civil law officer, notes it is important that families become familiar with what the military provides to safeguard them from malicious actions, like the Red Cross hoax.
The first step in creating this line of defense is understanding the casualty assistance calls program, said Rigal. It will always be a staff noncommissioned officer, warrant or commissioned officer that will notify the next of kin of a casualty.
Master Sgt. Mark A. Sperling, administration chief, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, said the Marine Corps is intent on taking care of the families of its Marines.
It is a substantial duty a CACO has, said Sperling and he referenced a portion of the Marine Corps Order P3040.4E, paragraph 4102, concerning the CACO.
The order states, "The CACO is the individual appointed to represent the Commandant of the Marine Corps with the next of kin... sympathy, courtesy, precise information, and service are the cornerstone on which the CACP is built and is the sacred obligation of the Marine Corps."
There is CACO training offered here, said Sperling. He also noted that Miramar currently has 300 Marines who have received that training.
The training guides a Marine on how to adapt to an unusually difficult situation, keeping in mind the range of emotions that may be present when making a CACO call, said Sperling. No two CACO calls are alike and Marines need to be prepared to attend to whatever needs the families might have, he said.
This includes the possibility of the family member needing medical attention, said Sperling. Marines responding to CACO duties are prepared to stay with the families for as long as they need the Marine's support, Sperling added.
Next the CACO Marine will set up an appointment with the family to assist in explaining benefits and arrangements for the funeral, said Sperling. The needs of the family drive the CACO call, he said. The call will adapt to the varying needs of the families, with special care taken to respect the different cultures and religions, Sperling added.
During a CACO call, information detailing the benefits and entitlements for the families is provided, said Sperling. While a CACO Marine may suggest Red Cross assistance during a call, it is important to keep in mind they are not the official resource for casualty notification, he said.
Sperling said, CACO training helps prepare a Marine to serve the families special needs for as long as they need, which can take up to six weeks.
If a family here were to become the victim of a hoax like the Red Cross calls, and they were interested in pursuing legal actions against the offender, the civil law office at MCAS Miramar could help direct the families in getting the proceedings started, said Rigal.
While the civil law offices can't follow the proceedings into civilian courts, they can assist in getting the families headed in the right direction, said Rigal.
Rigal noted that if a family should receive a suspicious call or visit they need to ask for a supervisor's name and then call for verification.
If the call proves to be false then the families need to contact the nearest military liaison and the organization that was being represented falsely, said Rigal.
For more information contact the legal assistance office at 577-1566 or call the 3rd MAW CACO, Maj. David Rogers at 577-7301.
SF Kalbo
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR(April 17, 2003) -- Recently, anonymous callers have targeted families of deployed service members in San Diego, Delaware, Alabama and Michigan, using the American Red Cross name. Callers identifying themselves as Red Cross representatives "inform" families that their loved ones have become prisoners of war, are missing in action or have been killed.
The official Red Cross web site called this hoax disturbing and stressed how important it is for families to understand it is military casualty officers, and not the Red Cross, that notify families in the event a service member becomes a casualty. So far, cases have not appeared on this base, but have affected 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing families based elsewhere. However, there are things families here at MCAS Miramar can do to protect themselves from such a threat.
Capt. Robert Rigal, civil law officer, notes it is important that families become familiar with what the military provides to safeguard them from malicious actions, like the Red Cross hoax.
The first step in creating this line of defense is understanding the casualty assistance calls program, said Rigal. It will always be a staff noncommissioned officer, warrant or commissioned officer that will notify the next of kin of a casualty.
Master Sgt. Mark A. Sperling, administration chief, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, said the Marine Corps is intent on taking care of the families of its Marines.
It is a substantial duty a CACO has, said Sperling and he referenced a portion of the Marine Corps Order P3040.4E, paragraph 4102, concerning the CACO.
The order states, "The CACO is the individual appointed to represent the Commandant of the Marine Corps with the next of kin... sympathy, courtesy, precise information, and service are the cornerstone on which the CACP is built and is the sacred obligation of the Marine Corps."
There is CACO training offered here, said Sperling. He also noted that Miramar currently has 300 Marines who have received that training.
The training guides a Marine on how to adapt to an unusually difficult situation, keeping in mind the range of emotions that may be present when making a CACO call, said Sperling. No two CACO calls are alike and Marines need to be prepared to attend to whatever needs the families might have, he said.
This includes the possibility of the family member needing medical attention, said Sperling. Marines responding to CACO duties are prepared to stay with the families for as long as they need the Marine's support, Sperling added.
Next the CACO Marine will set up an appointment with the family to assist in explaining benefits and arrangements for the funeral, said Sperling. The needs of the family drive the CACO call, he said. The call will adapt to the varying needs of the families, with special care taken to respect the different cultures and religions, Sperling added.
During a CACO call, information detailing the benefits and entitlements for the families is provided, said Sperling. While a CACO Marine may suggest Red Cross assistance during a call, it is important to keep in mind they are not the official resource for casualty notification, he said.
Sperling said, CACO training helps prepare a Marine to serve the families special needs for as long as they need, which can take up to six weeks.
If a family here were to become the victim of a hoax like the Red Cross calls, and they were interested in pursuing legal actions against the offender, the civil law office at MCAS Miramar could help direct the families in getting the proceedings started, said Rigal.
While the civil law offices can't follow the proceedings into civilian courts, they can assist in getting the families headed in the right direction, said Rigal.
Rigal noted that if a family should receive a suspicious call or visit they need to ask for a supervisor's name and then call for verification.
If the call proves to be false then the families need to contact the nearest military liaison and the organization that was being represented falsely, said Rigal.
For more information contact the legal assistance office at 577-1566 or call the 3rd MAW CACO, Maj. David Rogers at 577-7301.
SF Kalbo