https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31475-ARMY_DIR_2021-01-000-WEB-1.pdf
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2021-01 (Army Survivor Outreach Services Program)
1. References. For a list of references, see the enclosure.
2. Purpose. This directive revises Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) policy. It defines
eligibility, outlines roles and responsibilities, and directs the use of a comprehensive
case management database.
3. Applicability. This directive applies to the Regular Army (RA) and Reserve
Components (RCs) (Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States
and U.S. Army Reserve).
4. Background. Section 562 of Public Law 109-163, commonly referred to as the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, directed the Department of
Defense (DoD) to establish a uniform policy on casualty assistance that includes both
short- and long-term assistance for a deceased servicemember’s eligible survivors. In
2007, the Army initiated the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Program. The program
developed a case management system that integrates multiagency casualty assistance
and long-term services for eligible survivors.
5. Policy. The RA and RCs will implement the Army SOS Program to help eligible
survivors with social and emotional support, primarily through referral to service
providers and non-Federal agencies. The Army SOS Program will ensure a seamless
transition from the initial support provided by the Army’s Casualty and Mortuary Affairs
Operations Division to long-term, ongoing referral assistance for eligible survivors.
Services are portable and, where available, may be provided at an Army location
(including joint installations, National Guard installations or State headquarters, and
Army Reserve centers) closest to the survivor’s current residence.
6. Responsibilities.
a. The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-9 will—
(1) Ensure resources are available to support the SOS Program.
S E C R E T A R Y O F T H E A R M Y
W A S H I N G T O N
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2021-01 (Army Survivor Outreach Services Program)
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(2) Oversee a case management database for the SOS Program. The centrally
maintained database will include survivor contact information and annotations regarding
interactions with the survivor, such as referrals made and services provided.
(3) Oversee the SOS Program to ensure compliance with applicable statutes
and policies.
(4) Ensure the SOS Program serves eligible RA and RC survivors.
(5) Ensure commanders, Soldiers, and Families are informed about the policies
in this directive.
(6) Oversee and contribute to SOS coordinator training. As needed, periodic
training will be distributed using technology to the maximum extent feasible.
(7) Provide senior leader representation for Army Survivor Advisory Working
Group meetings.
b. The Commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command will—
(1) Maintain the system of record case management database for the
SOS Program in accordance with Records Management and Declassification
Agency requirements and the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.
(2) Coordinate with the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division, the
Casualty Assistance Centers, and casualty assistance officers for timely transfer of
cases to the SOS Program case management database.
(3) Develop and deliver Armywide SOS coordinator training through distributed
learning technology.
(4) Provide senior leader representation for Army Survivor Advisory Working
Group meetings.
c. The Chief, National Guard Bureau and Chief of Army Reserve will—
(1) Develop and conduct programs to support the SOS Program in accordance
with DoD and Army policies and procedures. The Chiefs will avoid duplication in service
delivery.
(2) Provide senior leader representation for Army Survivor Advisory Working
Group meetings.
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2021-01 (Army Survivor Outreach Services Program)
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(3) Use the system of record case management database as described in
paragraph 6b(1). Migrate data kept outside this database to the system of record no
later than 180 days from the date of this directive.
7. Eligibility.
a. Persons eligible for SOS long-term case management include survivors recorded
as dependents in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS):
(1) surviving dependents of an RA sponsor who died while serving on
active duty
(2) surviving dependents of a member of the Army National Guard who was
serving on official duty at the time of death
(3) surviving dependents of a member of the U.S. Army Reserve who was
serving on official duty at the time of death
b. Persons eligible for SOS long-term case management also include survivors not
recorded as dependents in DEERS:
(1) surviving parents (RA or RC next of kin)
(2) surviving spouse and children (next of kin) of RC members who were not on
a current order for a period not to exceed 36 months
8. Process. The SOS Program will be administered through the following processes:
a. Once the casualty assistance officer (CAO) completes duties as prescribed by
Army Regulation (AR) 638–8, survivors transition to the SOS Program. The CAO will
advise eligible survivors of the SOS Program and its services, and refer them to the
program.
b. Each SOS coordinator, regardless of component, will document cases and
update the system of record case management database described in paragraph 6b(1).
c. Release of survivor information to third-party entities and organizations requires
the survivor’s written approval before release.
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2021-01 (Army Survivor Outreach Services Program)
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d. The SOS Program may provide the following services to eligible survivors:
(1) liaison to DoD agencies and benefits coordinators, such as the Defense
Health Agency and Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(2) liaison with non-Federal agencies, such as Tragedy Assistance for Survivors,
Gold Star Wives, Gold Star Mothers, and Gold Star Fathers
(3) milestone management, such as changes in benefits, entitlements, financial
stability, and recertification of enrollment of children in full-time education
(4) outreach events
(5) bereavement team support
(6) life skills and resiliency education
(7) financial counseling
(8) estate planning
(9) monthly newsletters
(10) referrals to grief counseling and specialized support groups, community
resources, State agencies, and government and nongovernmental organizations, such
as MilitaryOneSource, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Tragedy Assistance
for Survivors
(11) annual outreach to survivors to afford them the opportunity to stay
connected to the Army and receive updated information about benefits
9. Assessment and Compliance. Family Programs for the RA and RCs will incorporate
the SOS Program into their current Family Readiness accreditation or certification
process. SOS will be included in the Army Family Readiness standards evaluation
process. The certification process occurs every 4 years. The SOS system of record
case management database is subject to annual Army internal control requirements as
specified in AR 608–1.
10. Proponent. The proponent for this policy is the Assistant Secretary of the Army for
Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The DCS, G-9 will revise AR 608–1 to incorporate the
applicable provisions of this directive within 2 years from the date of this directive.
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11. Duration. This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulation.
Encl Ryan D. McCarthy
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
U.S. Army Futures Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
CF:
Director of Business Transformation
Commander, Eighth Army
Enclosure
REFERENCES
a. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109-163,
section 562, 119 Statute 3267–3268
b. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, Public Law 113-66,
section 633, 127 Statute 786
c. Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, Title 5, U.S. Code, section 552a (5 U.S.C. 552a)
d. 10 U.S.C. 1475 (Death gratuity: death of members on active duty or inactive duty
training and of certain other persons)
e. 10 U.S.C. 1477 (Death gratuity: eligible survivors)
f. 37 U.S.C. 481f (Travel and transportation allowances: transportation for survivors of
deceased member to attend member’s burial ceremonies; transportation for survivors of
member dying overseas to attend transfer ceremonies)
g Department of Defense Instruction 1300.18 (Department of Defense (DoD)
Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures), 8 January 2008, incorporating
Change 1, 14 August 2009
h. Department of Defense Instruction 1342.22 (Military Family Readiness), 3 July 2012,
incorporating Change 2, 11 April 2017
i. Department of Defense Manual 1000.13, Volume 2 (DoD Identification (ID) Cards:
Benefits for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Dependents, and Other Eligible
Individuals), 23 January 2014, incorporating Change 1, effective 5 August 2020
j. Army Regulation (AR) 600–20 (Army Command Policy), 24 July 2020
k. AR 608–1 (Army Community Service), 19 October 2017
l. AR 638–8 (Army Casualty Program), 7 June 2019