https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31766-ARMY_DIR_2021-04-000-WEB-1.pdf
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2021-04 (Casualty Support for Dependent Children)
1. References.
a. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109-163,
Section 562, 119 Statute 3267 (2006)
b. Department of Defense Instruction 1300.18 (Department of Defense (DoD)
Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures), 8 January 2008, incorporating
Change 1, effective 14 August 2009
c. Army Directive 2021-01 (Army Survivor Outreach Services Program),
7 January 2021
d. Army Regulation (AR) 638–8 (Army Casualty Program), 7 June 2019
2. Purpose. People are the Army’s greatest strength, and we hold imperative the care
of the Total Army Family. This directive expands the population authorized to receive
the support of a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) and clarifies expectations and
responsibilities for CAOs.
3. Applicability. The provisions of this directive apply to the Regular Army, Army
National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
4. Policy.
a. Effective immediately, dependent children of personnel listed in AR 638‒8,
paragraphs 5‒2a(1), (2), (9), and (10), are authorized a CAO on the death of their
non-military parent or legal guardian. Appointment of a CAO to a dependent child can
occur at any time after the death of their non-military parent or legal guardian.
b. The CAO will assist with the following:
(1) obtaining installation access for the guardian
(2) updating dependent child enrollment in Defense Enrollment Eligibility
Reporting System and obtaining a new identification card
(3) updating dependent child enrollment in TRICARE
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 2021-04 (Casualty Support for Dependent Children)
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(4) applying for any outstanding benefits and entitlements authorized pursuant
to Federal statute
(5) coordinating for legal assistance
c. On completion of all the immediate responsibilities, the CAO will transfer the
dependent child and the child’s guardian to the servicing Survivor Outreach
Services (SOS) coordinator for continued long-term case management pursuant to
reference 1c. SOS coordinators will provide milestone management, such as changes
in benefits, entitlements, financial stability, and recertification of enrollment of children in
full-time education. SOS coordinators will refer dependent children and guardians who
require changes to Federal entitlements or benefits, including the Survivor Benefit Plan,
TRICARE elections, and education benefits, to the appropriate agency.
5. Proponent. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 is the proponent for this policy and will
incorporate the provisions of this directive into AR 638–8 within 2 years of the date of
this directive.
6. Duration. This directive will be rescinded on publication of the revised regulation.
John E. Whitley
Acting
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
(CONT)
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2021-04 (Casualty Support for Dependent Children)
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DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
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