Easing the pain: select Airmen prepare to become notification officers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Allison M. Boehm
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Members of the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at Barksdale, home of Air Force Global Strike Command, are preparing select individuals with an extremely sensitive duty - to become an Air Force notification officer.

"These Airmen are being prepared to perform one of the most traumatic and greatest challenges in life - notifying a spouse, parent or sibling of the death of their loved one," said David Day, 2nd Force Support Squadron casualty manager. "These notifications to the next of kin must be performed in a dignified, compassionate and professional manner as promptly as possible after their loved one is placed in a casualty status."

The Notification Officers' primary duty is to notify the next of kin of their Airmen's death.

However, the notification officer is also responsible for briefing the primary next of kin the option to have media access and possible travel to Dover to witness the dignified transfer if their loved one was killed on the battlefield.

Once briefed, the notification officer will be required to call Air Force mortuary during the initial notification and allow them to speak to the primary next of kin to answer questions and obtain a final decision on both matters.

The notification officers in training, who are all required to hold the rank of major or above, learn the customs and procedures that are required of the job. However, Mr. Day wants the trainees to take away an important aspect of the job during the training.

"They may be called upon at a moment's notice to perform one of the most difficult tasks ever asked of them to perform during their military career," said Mr. Day. "Their actions and ability to be professional, sincere, and compassionate in carrying out this most crucial task will make a life time ever-lasting impact on not only themselves but the loved ones involved for the rest of their life.

"As a notification officer, you speak as a representative for every Air Force member today, both active duty and retired, to all of those who have served, both past and present and to understand that your actions in front of the deceased member's family reflects every facet of Air Force life and that of our Air Force heritage."

Training is conducted the first Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. Call 456-8400 in advance to sign up for the next training session.