Who is primarily responsible for providing support to grieving families?

The Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) is primarily responsible for providing support to grieving families following a service member's death or serious injury. The CACO acts as the official representative of the Marine Corps and plays a crucial role in ensuring that the family receives the necessary assistance, information, and guidance during a profoundly difficult time. This includes explaining benefits, coordinating funeral arrangements, and offering emotional support. The CACO is trained specifically for this role and is equipped to handle the emotional and logistical challenges that arise after a loss.

While other options such as unit commanders, military chaplains, and crisis intervention teams do offer various forms of support, their roles are not solely focused on providing assistance for grieving families in the specific context of a casualty. Unit commanders are responsible for overall troop welfare and performance, while chaplains offer spiritual guidance, and crisis intervention teams provide immediate psychological support in emergencies. However, the CACO's dedicated mission and training make them the primary point of contact for families during such a critical time.