TreeStandBowHunter Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Well, yesterday afternoon right after we all got back from our homes (picking up clothes,etc), we were prepping to leave for Logan Int when we got the call saying that Headquarters Marine Corps is sending up 10 teams and that we were now on standby. So we never went anyway. Now today they are saying that those teams from HQMC are flying back next week and that we are going to have to go out there and pick up where they left off. So who knows because there is also talk that they are going to task one of the other battalions to go out there instead of us because we are so shorthanded. It's mind boggling man, I'll tell you. See it isin't as simple as going to the house and telling them that their Marine was killed in combat. That's just the start of it. It's alot more than that. You take care of all personal affairs, and all administrative issues involving everything from the funeral arrangements to life insurance to personal matters. So, we are sorta in limbo. That unit out in Ohio is one of sister battalions so that is how we are involved in this so much. They are also talking about sending us out there to be command representitives for the command for the actual funerals. Our Commanding Officer left tonight for a funerals tomorrow and Saturday from the first group that was killed on Monday. It's ugly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster Geez, so sorry to hear that Mike. Hang in there buddy. Those families will appreciate your efforts in the long run, and I appreciate what you're doing for my fellow Buckeyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHuntr1 Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster Yeah, we all appreciate what youre doing. They Just had a local guy on the Toledo news whos son was wounded, and his sons friends died , and he was crying saying his son was lucky. I almost cried, it was so sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster What a mess! Stay encouraged though my friend. Your efforts and work are not going unnoticed or unappreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster Sounds like you have your hands full Mike (understatement) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster One thing about Marines. They stick together and anything that happens to a Marine affects them all. A sad, sad day indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntingInMaine Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster I have the utmost respect for all of you that have to give this sort of news to the families, I don't think I would be able to do it! I do have a question though, do the families know right now that they have lost a loved one, or do they have to wait for a visit from one of you guys for confirmation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted August 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster It's a process that we won't get into but I can tell you that the Next of kin is notified in person 99.999% of the time. That is how they find out because the names cannot be released to the public until that. When Marines or Soldiers or whoever die in combat, it is kept at a minimal level until the NOK is notified. There has been cases in which are NOT ALLOWED that the Marines buddy or whoever has called KIA Marines family (because he knew them or something like that) before they found out from the CACO team. Cases like that are dealt with in a firm matter. But they almost all have access to phones over there so it can happen and has. But typically, the way I described it, that is the way it is done. I'll explain more later, I need to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntingInMaine Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster Thanks for the explanation. I was just thinking that as nice as it is to have someone officially tell you you have lost a loved one, it must be heart wrenching waiting for that visit. I totally understand how severely under-staffed and over worked you all are, but I would be a mess if I had to wait days to find out if it was my loved one that had been killed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster My thoughts and prayers go to you in this rough time. Stay strong and may god bless you on your journeys. Stay strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BuckMaster058 Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and I feel nothing but respect for you and appreciate everything you do to keep our freedoms that we take advantage of everday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted August 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 Re: What a cluster [ QUOTE ] I totally understand how severely under-staffed and over worked you all are, but I would be a mess if I had to wait days to find out if it was my loved one that had been killed. [/ QUOTE ] There is no such thing as under-staffed to do a CACO call. We will shut down shop if need be. Prime example is that unit in Ohio. They only have about 20 Active duty staff members there. When all those KIA's came in the other day, there is no way they could of done all them by themselves. So Headquarters Marine Corps flew out 10 teams to assist them. Each team includes one Officer and one Enlisted member to do the house call. It's never easy. You never know how they are going to react. Some blame you and some blame the government and some blame the actual member if you can believe that. Every one is different and never the same. Thats why there is 2 people to a team. I never done one that got ugly or out of hand but there has been several with the Ohio Marines that got pretty ugly I guess. The turn around time is usually a day or less if it can be done. For the Ohio Marines, it was about a day and a half for some of them due to getting the extra teams up there. Let me tell you, it sucks for the family but the bad part is.....and this sounds selfish but most of them have no idea how hard it is for us and how much is sucks to have to do that job. The two that I have done since I been here, as soon as we pulled up in our uniform, they knew before we even spoke. It's sorta obvious when you hop out of a government van in your full dress uniform with an Officer what's coming next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 Re: What a cluster That is a rough job that you have. Thanks to all you and the rest of the troops do. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 Re: What a cluster Sorry to hear that Mike, that has to be tough to deal with. Really appreciate what you and all our soldiers are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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