This document provides guidance for military personnel on the appropriate use of social media when a fellow service member dies or goes missing. It outlines that the next of kin should be notified in person by a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer before any information is posted online. Expressing condolences on social media could alarm family members who have not been officially notified. Service members are advised to wait until the Department of Defense publicly releases a name before posting about the death or missing status and to avoid posting on the service member's profile page. The rules are meant to respect families and allow for compassionate in-person notification by trained Casualty Assistance Officers.

1. Casualties and Social Media A sailor’s guide to online posts in the wake of tragedy From Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa Southwest Asia Public Affairs