This section will be written in several
installments. This is the first: "Play by the Rules," the next
installment, should you need it, will be something along the lines
of "Desperation Moves", or "If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try
Again!"
First of all, read
Department of Defense Instruction
5505.10, which tells you exactly what the responsibilities of
the US Military are for the investigation of non-combat deaths.
So, how do you play by the rules? You write the
established letters to the correct departments, including the
required information about yourself and your loved one. Don't let
any grass grow under your feet, however. Depending on the
circumstances of death, time may be of the essence. Do this as soon
as you possibly can manage it.
Based on my own experience, the Casualty Officers
will be your first point of contact and will offer a packet for
survivors of deceased military personnel. It will contain examples
of form letters and addresses for each type of record that you are
requesting. I've also found the Casualty Officers very helpful in
answering questions if you are confused about this process. They may
refer you to specific individuals who can help you further, and will
even furnish telephone numbers for various departments.
You'd think that the Military Services would have a
centralized record keeping system, but that is not the case.
Personnel Records are not always housed with Medical Records.
Investigation Records of various types are housed with other
agencies within the Military. Copies of autopsies are kept
separately.
If all goes well for you, and you have no reason to
doubt that you have received all the records you've requested, you
will never have to look for the next installment of this little
treatise.
LETTERS OF REQUEST FOR MILITARY RECORDS:
When writing letters
requesting information about deceased military next of kin:
-
Always include your
name, address and telephone number in the letterhead.
-
State your
relationship to the deceased, his/her name, rank and social
security number. State where the death occurred and under what
circumstances, as you understand it.
-
Re-state your
relationship to the deceased, e.g., "I am his wife", or "I am
his mother." Enclose a copy of the completed Final DD Form 1300
(Report of Casualty.) Ask that the report requested be sent to
you at the address you've furnished in the letterhead. With
luck, in due course and the fullness of time, you will receive
what you've requested. Make sure you make and keep copies of all
correspondence. Keep a little list of telephone numbers with the
copies. Below are some of the Army addresses. Other branches of
the service will have their own unique addresses for various
records.
Army Address for requesting a copy of
Autopsy Report:
Chief, Customer Service Division
Corporate Executive Information Systems
ATTN: MCHS-IN (Francis Mandell)
1216 Stanley Road, Suite 25
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6025
Army Address for requesting a copy of
Accident Report:
Commander
US Army Safety Center
ATTN: CSSC-ZJA
Fort Rucker, AL 36362-5363
Army Address for requesting a copy of
CID/MP Report:
Criminal Investigation Division
US Army Crime Records Center
ATTN: FOIA Division/Privacy Act
6010 6th Street
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5585
Army Address for requesting a complete
copy of Report of Investigation (LOD) :(Line of Duty Investigation)
Commander
US Total Army Personnel Command
ATTN: TAPC-PED-A
2461 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria VA 22331-0482
This will serve as an introduction to the
process. Please standby for the next installment, and if you've come
to this page looking for answers, or have some experience, please
don't hesitate to contact me. I'm still learning and may very well
need some advice, as I'm presently in the "Try, Try Again" mode.
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