COMDTINST M1770.9A — Military Personnel Casualties And Decedent Affairs

COMDTINST M1770.9A governs Coast Guard policy and procedures for military personnel casualties and decedent affairs.

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  • Publication number: COMDTINST M1770.9A
  • Title: MILITARY PERSONNEL CASUALTIES AND DECEDENT AFFAIRS
  • Date: 6/13/2016
  • Proponent: CG-1331

View COMDTINST M1770.9A on armypubs.army.mil

The publication covers casualty definitions, reporting, next-of-kin notification, missing personnel, personal effects, funeral honors, burial, flags, and obituaries. It requires Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy and assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements to comply with its provisions.

Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Manual.

Topics covered

  • Military personnel casualty reporting
  • Next-of-kin notification
  • Missing and missing-in-action personnel
  • Personal effects disposition
  • Military funeral honors
  • Burial at sea
  • Half-mast orders
  • Coast Guard-wide casualty messages

Questions and answers

Who must comply with COMDTINST M1770.9A?

All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Manual. (paragraph 2)

What happens to personal effects when the next of kin cannot be located?

When the NOK, heir, or legal representative cannot be determined or located, the effects, other than money (see Article 2.K.2.f. of this Manual), together with remaining copies of Personal Effects Inventory and Disposition, Form CG-3853, will be referred to the probate court for disposition. (paragraph 1-3)

Can soiled or unlaundered garments be sent to the next of kin?

Under no circumstances will soiled or unlaundered garments be delivered or shipped to the NOK prior to laundering and pressing. (paragraph 1-3)

When is a Coast Guard-wide personnel casualty message released?

An ALCOAST or ALCGPSC message shall be released announcing the death of the following categories of Coast Guard personnel: (1) Active duty flag officers; (2) The current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPO-CG); (3) Retired flag officers; (4) Members of the SES corps; and (5) A Command (“Gold Badge”) Master Chief, if requested or of particularly high visibility. (paragraph 7)

What information should a personnel casualty obituary include?

Each obituary should include all of the following information that is readily available or provided by the deceased member’s NOK: (1) Facts of death; (2) Half-mast order; (3) Funeral and final disposition; (4) Biography and service highlights; and (5) Flowers or donation preferences. (paragraph 7)

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