The Command Family Ombudsman Program belongs  to  the  command.  To  a  great  extent,  the shape  and  direction  of  the  program  depend  on  the commanding officer’s perceptions of the needs of the command. The CO appoints the Ombudsman, who  works  under  his/her  guidance.  The  CO determines  the  priorities  of  the  program,  the  roles and relationships of those involved in it, and the type and level of support it will receive. The ef- fectiveness  of  the  Ombudsman  Program  is measured   by   the   service   it   provides   to   the command  and  the  command’s  families. The  Navy   Family   Ombudsman   Manual, NAVPERS  15571,  provides  a  section  containing suggestions on how to help maximize the benefits of an Ombudsman Program through your support of the Ombudsman. You only have to make one deployment   to   appreciate   the   efforts   of   an Ombudsman. The Navy Family Ombudsman Program,  OP- NAVINST  1750.  1B,  and  the   Navy   Family Ombudsman Manual,  NAVPERS  15571,  outline the  policies  and  procedures  of  the  Navy  Family Ombudsman   Program. CASUALTY   ASSISTANCE CALLS  PROGRAM You  may  be  asked  to  serve  as  the  Casualty Assistance  Calls  Officer  (CACO)  at  some  point in  your  career.  This  section  of  the  chapter  will explain   the   purpose   of   the   program   and   the general  duties  of  the  CACO. Purpose of the Program The broad purpose of the Casualty Assistance Calls Program (CACP) is to offer support to the next  of  kin  of  Navy  members  involved  in  a casualty.  The  CACP  offers  support  in  the following  ways: Assuring  the  next  of  kin  of  the  Navy’s interest in their well-being Showing  concern  for  members  reported missing  while  the  search  for  them  is underway Extending sympathy in the case of death Helping   survivors   adjust   to   the   new conditions  these  tragic  circumstances  have imposed  upon  them The  Navy  seeks  to  accomplish  this  through personal visits by a uniformed Navy representative called  a  Casualty  Assistance  Calls  Officer (CACO).  (Only  an  officer  with  a  minimum  of  2 years of active duty or a qualified senior enlisted member of paygrade E-7 or above may serve as a  CACO.)  Persons  given  the  task  of  CACO normally  assume  this  responsibility  as  their primary  duty;    it   takes   precedence   over   all other assigned duties.  Casualty  Assistance  Calls Program (CACP) Manual,  NAVMILPERSCOM- INST  1770.1,  explains  the  detailed  responsibilities of  the  CACO  and  the  procedures  for  operating the   program.   Casualty   Assistance   Calls   and Funeral  Honors  Support  (CAC/FHS)  Program Coordination, OPNAVINST 1770.1, contains the command   coordination   responsibilities   for   the Casualty  Assistance  Calls  and  Funeral  Honors Support Program. The Casually Assistance Calls Officer  Manual,  NAVPERS  15607,  provides detailed  duties  of  the  CACO,  provides  a  check list for use when visiting next of kin, and provides a  list  of  helping  resources. Duties of the CACO The  duties  of  the  CACO  range  from  making an initial personal visit to the family to helping the  family  fill  out  all  required  paper  work  for entitlements. Specific responsibilities include the following: to   make   personal   notification   to   the next  of  kin  that  their  relative  is  dead,  un- accounted  for—duty  status-whereabouts  unknown (DUSTWUN),  or  reported  missing;  to  provide  a brief explanation of the circumstances; to provide updated information regarding remains of deceased or  search  efforts  for  a  DUSTWUN  person. to express to the next of kin of those who have died, the Navy’s condolences, concern in the case  of  members  in  a  DUSTWUN  or  missing status, and continued support for the next of kin during   their   adjustment   to   their   unfortunate circumstances. to  extend by  assessing  the assistance   and necessary. assistance  to  the  next  of  kin need  for  immediate  financial follow-up   arrangements   as AFLOAT   RECREATION Morale,   welfare,   and   recreation   programs (MWR) provide a comprehensive approach to the 6-3 NAVY   WELFARE/RECREATION/