Subject: POWs/MIAs and their Families.

09/20/2015
Dear RWS 1301 Students,
As many of you may know war is not a strange thing when it comes to the history of the United
States. Many brave men and women have sacrificed their lives and their time in the task of
defending this country from either foreign or internal enemies that make a treat to our way of
life. What many dont know is that many of these brave men and women sometimes dont come
back either by death on the battlefield or they are captured and tortured as prisoners of war.
Many organizations were formed as time and wars passed by, for example The Defense
POW/MIA Accounting Agency whose mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for
missing personnel to their families and the nation. In times of war, whenever a soldier goes MIA
(Missing in Action) the SCO Agency (Service Casualty Office) will go into contact with the next
of kin depending on the situation they can either go talk with host nations to conduct a search
and rescue operation or to go and identify a body in when one is being found. The agency as well
conducts periodic updates and annual government briefings for families of American service
members who are missing in action.
Family members can get information regarding their family service members by contacting the
SOC, depending on the military branch their family member was in service (marines, air force,
navy, army, department of state). From there the SOC will contact the Accounting Agency to see
if there are any active files related to the service members or if there is any active investigation
related to his case of disappearance or imprisonment. There are many ways as well in order to
help with a proper identification by donating mitochondrial DNA, helping the agency to establish
a comprehensive family reference DNA database.
There are as well many other non-profit organizations that exist around the country, that provide
support for those who are in need. They promote the awareness of troops missing and imprisoned
by selling the pow/mia flag a symbol of hope and a sense of comfort for those with a family
member missing are not alone out there, there are others who can relate to them, supporting them
and at the same time sharing stories of those who they love and care and their sacrifice they
made for the wellbeing of the nation.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency website provides plenty of information regarding
their mission statement and their values, as well as basic questions such as how rescue mission
are being conducted, how can family members become in contact with them, and how to become
a member and if interested on working in the department the job qualifications required to apply
online. It also provides information on the facility located in Hawaii and for those interested on
information for guided, as well as availability.
Sincerely,
Eugenio Arnal