ESCORTS LEARNING OBJECTIVE:   Recall criteria for escort selection, and identify escort duties and responsibilities. Escorts  are  provided  to  accompany  remains  to ensure prompt, safe delivery, as a mark of respect to the decedent, and as an indication of the Navy’s desire to help the NOK.   Only one escort is authorized.   More than one may be assigned; however, two escorts may not  serve  at  the  same  time.     Problems  concerning arrangements for a Navy escort that cannot be resolved by  the  responsible  command  should  be  referred  to MEDDEN  Affairs  or  the  area  commander  outside CONUS. Problems   concerning   Marine   Corps members should be referred to CMC. INSIDE CONUS ESCORTS Within CONUS, escorts are detailed to accompany the  remains  or  cremains  of  each  Navy  and  Marine Corps decedent to their final destination.   Furnishing escorts  is  the  responsibility  of  the  activity  arranging transportation  of  the  remains  or  cremains. When selecting  an  escort  for  the  deceased,  the  activity arranging transportation is encouraged to consult the last duty station of the deceased. OUTSIDE CONUS ESCORTS When  remains  are  consigned  to  a  place  outside CONUS where Armed Forces representatives or other government  officials  are  not  available  to  receive, transfer,   or   otherwise   assist   in   transportation arrangements, military escorts will be provided. Unless a special escort is requested by the PNOK and   approved   by   MEDDEN   Affairs,   remains transported  by  AMC  aircraft  from  a  point  outside CONUS   to   a   CONUS   port   of   entry   will   not   be accompanied  by  an  escort.    The  aircraft  commander will act as the escort during the time of transport by AMC  aircraft. An  escort  will  be  detailed  by  the military   activity   responsible   for   transportation arrangements at the CONUS port of entry. SELECTION OF ESCORTS Any Navy or Marine Corps member on active duty may  serve  as  an  escort.     Navy  and  Marine  Corps members who volunteer may be accepted if they meet the  criteria  for  selection.    Unless  a  special  escort  is requested by the NOK, the escort selected should be of the same branch of service, status, and paygrade of the deceased. The  escort  should  be  a  friend  of  the deceased,  from  the  same  unit,  and  preferably  of  the same religion. SPECIAL ESCORTS A special escort is defined as a person requested specifically by the PNOK or by his representative, or a person assigned by an appropriate command because unusual circumstances prevail and such assignment is considered in the best interest of the naval service.  All requests   for   special   escorts   must   be   referred   to MEDDEN Affairs. If desired by the PNOK, a civilian or member of another service may be assigned as a special escort. An escort in retired or inactive status should be treated as a civilian. All   military   special   escorts   are   assigned subject to availability as determined by their CO and, unless closely related to the deceased, generally are not authorized outside CONUS. DUTIES OF THE ESCORT A naval escort is a representative of the Navy who will be required to perform services of a very special and  personal  nature.    It  is  very  important  that  these duties   are   thoroughly   explained   to   the   escort. P r o v i d i n g   i n s t r u c t i o n s   t o   t h e   e s c o r t   i s   t h e responsibility   of   the   command   arranging   for transportation of the remains.  The Manual for Escorts of Deceased Naval Personnel, NAVPERS 15955, will assist in this function.  For additional information, you should consult NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1. DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL EFFECTS L E A R N I N G   O B J E C T I V E : R e c a l l disposition of personal effects policies. All  personal  effects  of  the  deceased  are  to  be collected and inventoried, except where the member occupied government or public housing and the spouse requires  no  assistance.    In  the  event  the  spouse  dies simultaneously   with   the   service   member,   the   CO cooperates with surviving relatives of the deceased and civil   authorities   by   providing   protection   for   the property of the deceased. The CO appoints an inventory board consisting of two  members,  of  which  one  member  is  normally  a 16-10