l l l Casket preparation before family, media or public   viewing.   Caskets   being   moved   by commercial  aircraft  are  normally  placed  in  a protective  shipping  container  made  of  heavy cardboard or similar material (with a wood or particleboard bottom) by the Navy-contracted mortuary. This outer protective material  must be removed before family, media or public viewing. Not doing so will result in media photos of a crated casket being taken out of an airplane, creating an image of a fallen shipmate coming home  in  a  “cardboard  box.”  With  the  assistance of the CACO, determine who is removing the outer material and when, who is draping the casket, and so forth. Family member presence at the arrival of the remains.  If family members are going to be present when the remains arrive, what is the procedure to escort them to the arrival site? Support personnel. Where will the honor guard be positioned before and after arrival? Is there a special provision to expedite getting the escort off the arriving aircraft and down to the honors site? Be ready to give recommendations to the CACO on anticipated media interest and interaction and the church and graveside services so the family can be briefed, consulted and appropriate actions taken. One of the first steps is making an advance visit to the church, funeral home and cemetery. Some items to ask about during the advance  visit  include  the  following: l Inside.  What  is  the  church’s  policy  on  media coverage  of  services  and  the  recommended media  location? . Outside. Where can the media be positioned to get arrival and departure photos of the remains, family and mourners with minimum disruption? What time will the remains arrive at the church? What is the route to the cemetery and how long will it take? What is the approximate start and end time of the graveside service? .  Where  is  the  burial  site?  Once  the  site  is identified, select an adjacent location relative to the  sun  at  a  distance  favorable  for  media coverage. Rope off the area in advance. Consider parking areas and entrance/exit locations for the media and PAO escorts. Although these guidelines are based on a specific scenario,  they  can  be  easily  modified  to  fit  your individual  needs.  For  more  detailed  information,  consult NAVMILPERSCOMINST   1770   (series). NAVY FAMILY SUPPORT Before a disaster strikes, the PAO should meet with all command family groups to be sure they understand the organization of the command and the ways they can obtain  information  in  a  crisis.  Commands  may  use “telephone trees” and liaison with the ombudsman to ensure a timely and accurate internal information flow. It will also assist Navy families in dealing with the intrusions into their privacy by the news media. The ombudsman  network  should  include  the  following: l l l l Sponsor’s  unit Family  Service  Center Unit’s  type  commander Local PAO During a disaster, the PAO or senior journalist channels  accurate  information  through  the  chain  of command  to  the  families  as  quickly  as  possible,  using the ombudsman network previously described. It is a race to inform the families before the media does. The media may report highly inaccurate information in a crisis, so it is better that the families learn about it through their telephone network or even in specially called meetings. You and the PAO may also use the external media to inform your internal audience during a crisis. For example, the establishment of a special information “hot line”  at  the  CIB  or  Family  Service  Center  can  be reported by the news media to assure wide distribution to dependents and other family members. When there is an  accident  involving  casualties,  the  Bureau  of  Naval Personnel  Emergency  Communications  Center  (ECC) at the Navy Annex in Arlington, Viginia, contacts news networks to request they publicize their emergency hot line  numbers.  Obtain  these  numbers  from  BUPERS  and release them to the local media as well. NAVY FAMILIES AND THE MEDIA The Navy’s policy is to protect the privacy of its personnel and family members, especially in times of crisis. While it is the right of every American to talk to the news media if they desire, Navy family members should never feel pressured into giving an interview. If a  Navy  family  member  is  contemplating  a  media interview, the PAO and senior journalist should offer advice and help before a final decision is made. 2-31