Applicable to: Air National Guard & Air Force Reserve
The responsibilities and procedures for reporting the deaths of Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve (AFR) members in a non-duty status, in a duty status, or retired members awaiting pay at age 60 are provided below.
Non-Duty Status/Retired Awaiting Pay at Age 60
The surviving Next of Kin (NOK) will need to notify the member’s assigned unit commander of the death as quickly as possible. The commander will ensure casualty assistance is provided to the family.
Note: In the unusual instance where the NOK is not aware of the member's death, the member's unit commander or nearest Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) will provide notification to the NOK in person.
Duty Status: Unit Training Assembly (UTA), Active Duty for Training (ADT), Annual Training (AT), or Required Active Duty
For member’s attending duty at their assigned unit, the commander will coordinate casualty notifications to the NOK with AFPC/DPWCS (AF Casualty Matters Division).
For member’s on active duty at a location other than their assigned unit, AFPC/DPWCS will contact the member’s unit to begin the notification process, and will:
- Offer the unit first opportunity to provide notification to the NOK
- Provides appropriate notification guidance and information
- Assigns casualty notification and assistance responsibilities to the installation and/or Geographically Separation Unit (GSU) closest to the NOK
Retired ANG or AFR Member Receiving Retired Pay and Death Occurs Within 120 Days After Retirement
If located near the unit from which the member retired, the surviving NOK should notify the Force Support Squadron, CAR of the death as quickly as possible.
If not located near the unit in which the member retired, the surviving NOK should notify HQ ARPC Casualty Office at 800-525-0102 or 720-847-3611 or AFPC/DPWCS at 800-433-0048 who provide collaborative service to process the case.
Information Required When Reporting the Death of a Servicemember
- Servicemember's Full Name
- Rank
- SSAN
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- Cause of death
- Date of marriage (if applicable)
- Name of NOK
- NOK relationship
- NOK address
- Point of contact; name and phone number
Casualty Assistance Representative
The CAR will work directly in counseling with the family regarding their rights, benefits, entitlements and assisting with filling out claim applications for monetary benefits and continued base privileges.
Basic Documents When Filing a Claim for Benefit
- Final Death Certificate
- Marriage Certificate (if requested)
- Divorce Decree (if requested
- SGLV Form 8283 - Claim for Death Benefits (for SGLI claims, if applicable)