PGR-ANC RC Guide: Getting Leads

Page last changed: 10/20/2008 06:40:28 PM Central Time (server time)

CONTENTS: Create a Mission Sheet   State PGR Involved   Direct to ANC    Find the CAO Yourself                 Back to Home Page

"Leads" for ANC missions can come from many sources: an email to the ANC group address for someone in a state PGR organization; notice from the mods that a DoD announcement has indicated ANC burial; an email from a PGR rider or private citizen to the ANC group address asking if we can do an ANC mission; notice from the MODS that someone in PGR has posted a mission plan indicating there is to be a follow-on ANC mission, and more. We ask everyone to send these types of notices to the team at anc@patriotguard.org - so our team will all now and could all grab a "lead" and run with it - more below on that under team evolution.

We are constantly "fighting the battle" to get as early as possible notification from the other parts of PGR - letting us know there is the potential (note potential, not confirmation) of an ANC mission - gives us lead time and lets us help the state PGR in some cases.

We are constantly reminding the state PGR folks that it is their role, because they are closer both geographically and "emotionally", to: get us early word of the POTENTIAL for an ANC  mission, and to get us the contact information for the CAO / CACO (Navy & USMC), and to get us the family approval (ideal!).

Create a Mission Sheet:         Top Of Page

One thing I have found handy over the 2 plus years of planning missions is the use of a Mission sheet - for each mission. May seem crazy, but this system is what I use to make sure I don't forget or lose something - all in one place - portable (this is key as you need to keep it with you - never know when that critical call / info will come in)

  • A single sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 paper
  • Folded in half to make 4 connected pages 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 (also make it easy to fold & put into pocket
  • On the front across the top is the name and rank of the Hero
  • In top right  corner draw a box for key info - For "ANC", Date,  Time,  Building, RC
  • Use the front page to record whatever info you get initially and to add the contact info (CAO, family)
  • Front page, bottom right put on your shorthand check list:
    • lead, thread, cao, fam-ok, plaque, dates, plan, publish, rc-asind, statewide, anc-chkd, cal-update
    • you can line-thru or check them off - and know at a glance where you stand
  • Leave the rest of the front page for final details - the plan
  • Use the back page and inside pages to make notes while on the phone, etc - and for any notes you make while drawing up the plan, and to jot down info you want to cover in a brief - family names,
  • Transfer the final info - plan with all the steps to the front (key data is there at a glance)
    • I also add my notes about the Hero - for the briefing

Getting the lead:

If a state is involved - based on the DoD announcement, we'd like them to "own it":         Top Of Page

  • If the state folks get us the CAO information - move right to Uncovering the Details
  • If the state folks get us the CAO information and the family approval - move right to Uncovering the Details
  • if the state folks get us the above and the date at ANC -  - move right to Uncovering the Details
  • If the state folks pass it along to us without at least the CAO data, push it back to them, reminding them of the SOP on the PGR site
    • Refer them to the link "PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING" at the top of the Confirmed Missions list on the right side of the PGR home page.
  • If the state folks don't want to do the homework, or is/are not involved,see the item below on Direct to ANC

If it comes directly to ANC          Top Of Page

- from an Email contact, personal contact, referral other then state PGR

- from a DoD-MIA announcement

- from a MODs referral - base on some other inquiry, not from a state PGR

- from other sources - ?????

  • If it is direct, personal contact (directly to the ANC address or to you personally:

     

    • If it is a family member you have the contact information you need - move right to Uncovering the Details

    • If it is not a family member, use the contact to get you to a family member or spoke-person and - move right to Uncovering the Details

     

  • POW-MIA DoD announcements pose a difficult problem - and  we really want to honor Heroes of past wars.

     

    • Almost impossible to uncover and contact next of kin so we can "by the rules" attend the services.

      • Do Google search on the Hero's name to see if you can locate a press story to uncover next of kin name and city

      • Use that info, if found, in 411.com to see if you can develop a phone number

      • Most cases, this yields zip, but worth a try

    • If there is long enough lead time (not often!!)

      • Check to see if a state might be able to help, and might be willing to help 

      • Because the family is in their state - appeal to them for help

    • Best practice:

      • As soon as you learn of a Potential MIA mission at ANC:

        • Ask the MODS to publish the special MIA wording at the very top of the first  post of the thread

        • In parallel, use the above approach to see if you can locate the family

        • In parallel, use the special MIA CAO/CACO contact numbers set out below to see if you can locate the family CAO / CACO (s)

Finding the CAO / CACO Yourself:         Top Of Page

  • If the Hero named in a DoD announcement is named as being from District 9 (NOVA) or from from another District you are being asked to help cover - then it will be your responsibility to develop the CAO contact information directly:
    • The DoD announcement usually names a Public Affairs Office (PAO) contact for each hero covered - this is the "normal" source of contact

    • Explain who we are and that we want the CAO name and number so we can get them to approach the family on our behalf

     

    • However, there are several better contacts - ones more likely to get us info, sooner:

       

      • For KIAs, other Non-MIA Heroes:

        • For USA    CAOs:     Call 703-325-2464 - Nat'l USA CAO Desk

        • For USMC CACOs:   Call (703) 784-9512 (Option 1) Sgt Dmitry Novak [Dmitry.Novak@usmc.mil]

        • For USN    CACOs:   Call (909) 208-7703 "Gunny" Craig Donor PGR Calif.  [flbatfish1@sbcglobal.net]

        • For USAF   CAOs:    Call the PAO in the DoD and be persistent.

        • For USCG  CAOs:     Call the PAO in the DoD and be persistent.

           

      • For MIA Heroes:  (NOTE: I have not tested / proved the ones in red - yet!! Use with caution)

        • For USA   CAOs:        Call 866-272-5841 (was Call  703-325-5305 LtCol Julian Smith JPAC)

        • For USAAF CAOs:      (see above USA)

        • For USMC CACOs:     Call 800-847-1597

        • For USN    CACOs:     Call 800-443-9298

        • For USAF   CAOs:      Call 210-565-3752

        • For USCG  CAOs:       Call ????

      Note: When making the above contacts:

      • Identify  yourself as a senior Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard Riders (as opposed to the Senior RC)
      • Identify Hero-name or group of MIAs and pertinent date (KIA date or MIA Date), country, etc
      • Advise you are looking for the name and contact number for the CAO assigned
      • Ask to speak to the assigned case worker
      • Ask for the CAO ? CACO contact name, phone number
      • At least ask him/her to forward your contact information to the CAO/CACO

Once you have the CAO contact information - Name, Rank and Phone number - Email would be helpful - you are ready to proceed to the task of Uncovering the Details

 

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