Newspapers, radio, and television often report on local service members who have given their lives in service for our country. It is your choice whether you wish to speak to the media directly, or maintain your privacy and have the military support you in your dealings with the media. If you would like assistance, your casualty assistance representative can help by putting you in touch with a public affairs officer who is accustomed to dealing with the media. You will be able to discuss whatever information you would like to share and how you would like to share it.

As a matter of policy, the Department of Defense, which includes the Military Services, will not release any casualty information to the media or the general public until twenty-four hours after the last next-of-kin has been notified. In multi-loss incidents, the twenty-four hour requirement will start after the last next-of-kin of all decedents has been notified.