2nd MAW order--all SNCOs and Os must complete CACO training. The new training vids are no shit excellent. Professional-quality actors and production. Available online at the casualty branch website.
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kevin bacon as LtCol Strobl
- Thread starter Cron
- Start date
I just watched Taking Chance the other night. Its a very good movie in terms of opening the public's eye's that the guys killed in war are actually part of someone's family, like their own.
Anyone know what LtCol Strobl is doing nowadays?
Retired.
It is an interesting story, and sadly not one that is unique. This is something that happens several times a week (on average) and odds are that someone is doing escort duty right now.
I have done escort duty once, and it is indeed an honor. It is also a difficult process (flying in uniform, and dealing with the TSA is not fun). I was carrying cremated remains, and they could not go through the metal detector. Explaining that to the high school drop out who was running the check point was not fun, and the line got held up a minute or two until someone with some sense came over to take care of things. I did not stick around for the funeral through. I had already met the family, and their CACO was there and already had a strong relationship with next-of-kin.
I have been working in Navy Casualty for 18 months now, and have been the Operations Officer for half that time. I can relate to a lot of the emotions that the LtCol expressed in the movie. There was the scene toward the end where he expresses his feeling of guilt for taking a desk job while others were fighting and dying. I feel the same way quite often.
I have had the name of a good friend and mentor end up on my white board (where we list death cases we are processing), and it was really hard to work through. I found myself sitting in the office for stupid hours "working" as if me spending more time would make my not being "in the fight" better. At the end of the day, it's something that I have to deal with. The Colonel covered his guilt by writing a story and raising awareness. I deal with mine by enjoying the hell out of the freedom that those who are "in the fight" are providing. I also make damn sure that their family gets all of the honors and benefits that they have coming to them. At least I have that outlet.
If you ever get a chance to do escort duty or be a CACO it will change your career, and probably your entire outlook on life and service.
I have done escort duty once, and it is indeed an honor. It is also a difficult process (flying in uniform, and dealing with the TSA is not fun). I was carrying cremated remains, and they could not go through the metal detector. Explaining that to the high school drop out who was running the check point was not fun, and the line got held up a minute or two until someone with some sense came over to take care of things. I did not stick around for the funeral through. I had already met the family, and their CACO was there and already had a strong relationship with next-of-kin.
I have been working in Navy Casualty for 18 months now, and have been the Operations Officer for half that time. I can relate to a lot of the emotions that the LtCol expressed in the movie. There was the scene toward the end where he expresses his feeling of guilt for taking a desk job while others were fighting and dying. I feel the same way quite often.
I have had the name of a good friend and mentor end up on my white board (where we list death cases we are processing), and it was really hard to work through. I found myself sitting in the office for stupid hours "working" as if me spending more time would make my not being "in the fight" better. At the end of the day, it's something that I have to deal with. The Colonel covered his guilt by writing a story and raising awareness. I deal with mine by enjoying the hell out of the freedom that those who are "in the fight" are providing. I also make damn sure that their family gets all of the honors and benefits that they have coming to them. At least I have that outlet.
If you ever get a chance to do escort duty or be a CACO it will change your career, and probably your entire outlook on life and service.