by order of the commander cannon air force - Air Force E-Publishing

38 CANNONAFBI34-242 30 OCTOBER 2012
(Appropriate Letterhead)
MEMORANDUM FOR ESCORT’S NAME
FROM: 27 SOFSS/FSOXU
Attachment 9
ESCORT APPOINTMENT LETTER
SUBJECT: Instructions for Escort of Deceased Military Personnel
1. You have been selected as a military escort for the purpose of accompanying the late
(insert name). Only the highest caliber of personnel is selected to perform escort duty. It is an
honor for you to be chosen to express the Nation’s gratitude to its honored deceased. You are,
therefore, advised that your selection and assignment as a military escort places a great deal of
responsibility upon you as a member of the Armed Forces.
2. It is desired to emphasize the importance of this assignment; particularly in maintaining your
dress and appearance, sobriety, and certain acceptable intangibles which will preclude the
possibility of any criticism being levied against you as an individual or against the Armed
Forces. Needless to say, the duty of an escort is of a sensitive nature. One slip in your actions,
or a misplaced word or gesture made unwittingly or knowingly, can cause irreparable damage
never to be overcome by any subsequent will-meaning words or gesture.
3. Tact, sympathetic understanding, common sense and diplomacy are most essential in the
assignment. Remember that you are representing the Armed Forces of the United States and the
Department of Defense. Because of your position of responsibility, you will be looked upon as a
model representative of the Armed Forces.
4. GENERAL INFORMATION:
a. The Mortuary Officer will make arrangements for you and remains to be at the common
carrier in ample time to meet your schedule.
b. The receiving funeral director will be notified by this office, by telephone, fax or e-mail of
the time the remains will arrive at your final destination. Receiving funeral director will be
requested to meet you with transportation for the remains. You will be authorized a rental
car at destination. When funeral director picks up remains, follow hearse with rental car. At
time of notification by the Mortuary Officer, the funeral director is requested to notify the
Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) of arrival schedule.
c. The head envelope, which will be attached to the shipping case of the deceased, will
contain the burial transit permit. (This permit is intended for the receiving funeral director.)
If a wooden shipping case is used, this envelope will be fastened at the head end. If an air
tray is
used, this envelope will be taped to the head end. If transportation is by land hearse and no