When a Caregiver is contacted by the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division (CMAOD) the assigned Liaison Officer (LNO) will share known releasable information, the condition or status of the service member, and where your Soldier is currently being treated. Once the medical team and your Soldiers' leadership releases more information, it will become available to you.

Known Releasable Information

The information that can be released without compromising the safety of others, known as Operational Security (OPSEC). Details regarding your Soldier will be provided to you as more information is discovered and identified as releasable.

Condition or Status of the Service Member

The condition defines the status and level of severity of the wounded, ill, or injured Soldier. Those notifying you will typically relay to you if your Soldier has been stabilized, critical, or if their condition status is currently unknown. Your Liaison Officer (LNO) will answer your questions to the best of their knowledge and will reach out to you as more information becomes available.

Current Location of the Service Member

The current location is the location where the wounded, ill, or injured soldier is currently being held under treatment or observation.

In some cases you may be asked to travel to your Soldier's bedside. If the medical team determines that your presence is required at a location that is outside your local area, they will issue an invitation to travel as Travel Orders paid for by Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division (CMAOD). If travel is requested, the liaison officer in CMAOD will ensure the military travel office reaches out to you following your notification brief and coordinates your travel arrangements.

Travel orders are provided for up to three travelers of the Soldier’s choosing. In the event the Soldier is not able to select travelers, the DD93 form they filled out when they entered service determines who travels. When medical authorities request bedside travel, the traveler will need to provide personal information that includes: name, social security number, contact information, and special travel requirements to publish travel orders.

State side lodging is covered separately through contracted facilities or the Fisher House, a lodging facility specially reserved for wounded, injured, or ill. If a traveler is traveling outside the country, such as Landstuhl, Germany, a U.S. passport may be required. If the traveler does not have a U.S. passport a birth certificate (with raised seal), other official picture ID, social security card and passport photo may be necessary. CMAOD has the ability to expedite U.S. passport processing and approval to ensure you quickly reunit with your Soldier.

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The process of reuniting with your Solider is case specific. Your liaison officer from the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division (CMAOD) will walk you through your tailored process to reunite you with your Soldier. This may include steps to acquire travel, processing of initial paperwork, and providing you with directions for connecting with the Soldier Recover Unit (SRU) to ensure the quickest journey to your Soldier.

Medical Facility

If you are requested to travel overseas or to a location outside of your local area you may be offered lodging at the installation facility, a local establishment off-post or at one of the Fisher Houses found on most Army installations. In each of these scenarios, once you arrive at either location, you will be introduced to a liaison officer with the Army Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU). There, you will be met by one of the unit cadre who will ensure you are taken to your Soldier’s bedside. As it is anticipated that your Soldier will be an inpatient, the attending assigned primary care manager and support team will provide you additional details on your Soldier’s condition.

Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) contact information

Fisher House

There are several critical documents that you will need no matter the details relayed to you about your wounded, ill, or injured Service Member. Work towards collecting the following pieces of critical information that will be required during the reunification process. The documentation that you may need to take with you may vary based on your service member's affiliation. Along with the documents that you gather for your Soldier insure that you bring with you proper identification as well to insure those receiving you will be able to verify who you are.

Caregivers’ Documents

• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate
• Military ID
• Marriage License
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Power of Attorney
• Driver's License

Where you live, the type of orders your Soldier is serving under, and situations are all factors that you will need to consider as you start to work with the military and your community to shape your support systems near your home. It is important to remember that regardless of your service member's station: Active Duty, Army Reserve, or National Guard, structuring your support system will be a very important part of your journey as a Caregiver. Below are some examples of some military support systems and community support systems that you can explore.

Military Support Systems

Family Assistance Centers (SFACs)

Caregivers supporting service members should reach out to their local SFAC if available. Most bases and installations located near a Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) will have a SFAC office with a representative that you can speak with to help answer some of your questions. Your local garrison websites, squad leaders, or contacts from the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) are all avenues that can assist you with finding a SFAC near you. Click here to learn more (coming soon).

 

Military Chaplain’s Office

All military bases and installations have a dedicated chaplain’s office that are familiar with the risks associated with serving in the military and can help you cope with the process of helping your Soldier recover. Use your local garrison website to connect with someone from the chaplain’s office. Click here to learn more (coming soon).

 

Community Support Systems

Friends and Family

Your current network can help you find long term support for balancing your life and your caregiving role. Start by reaching out to those you are close to that can help you with your time of need. You do not have to do this on your own.

Non-Profits

Non-Profits are typically not directly affiliated with the U.S. military, however, there are many groups who support the military and its community with a wide variety of services. A list of non-profit organizations that may be able to help you can be found in the library in our resource directory.

Once you have a better understanding of your Soldier's situation it is important to look at what your needs are as well as your family's. It is not uncommon during this stage to start addressing the needs of others in your life who are depending on you. Reaching out to loved ones and doing your best to get affairs in order will be a part of your initial journey with your Soldier.

If you have children, family dependents, or pets you can reach out to your network to find support for them while you are away from home. Below are a list of documents you should leave behind with your dependent caregiver:

Children

Children being left with friends or family may need special support. Younger children may only need to know that you are going on a journey and will be back soon. Older children may need more information and you may be comfortable explaining that their loved one is hurt and needs your support. For all minors, child care providers will need to know your contact information, destination and lodging, duration of stay, and child medical information to include pediatrician and other medical providers, allergies and special medical conditions, insurance information, and school information.

Dependents

Adult dependents will need enough information to understand the current situation. The amount of information you provide is your choice. As a general rule you can share what you feel is necessary to maintain peace. It is common for your dependents to want to know more information and ask questions you may not have answers to or feel comfortable answering. Like you, they are looking for clarity and peace. Remember, you are the one to control the information you share and when you share it and you will have many opportunities to share more information through this process. Some information you want to share with your dependents may include:

• - Soldier mobilization orders (MOB Orders) - Leave at least on copy at home
• - Medical release of care - for your children/adult dependents, etc.
• - Dependent Military ID - for each of your Military dependents

Home Care for Pets

Pets should be boarded or taken care of while you are away. If you need support for your home pets take a look at our library resources page.

Civilian Work

For those who are working Caregivers reach out to your workplace to discuss options with your place of employment the (Family Medical Leave Act) may be a resource to refer to for more support.

Military Financial Support

For families that are currently receiving supplemental pay through the military such as Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), or Separation and Hazardous duty pay you will continue to receive these allowances unless notified of a change in your Soldier's allowances.