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Even as politicians and generals grapple with such wider considerations, on the ground there are other priorities.

When a mass casualty event occurs, soldiers in the unit affected often do not have time to pause and collect their thoughts, or mourn the passing of comrades. There are a host of tactical and administrative tasks needing resolution before a proper memorial or mourning period can be set aside.

The instant a soldier is wounded, a communication blackout is enforced. This “commo blackout” ensures that the deceased’s family is properly notified by Department of Defense officials, rather than through unofficial channels like another spouse or, worse, a posting on a social networking site.

After the battle has subsided, the personal effects and bodies of the wounded and deceased are evacuated to a larger base and turned into the mortuary affairs collection point. Equipment is properly inventoried to ensure that sensitive items have not been left on the battlefield for the enemy. The chaplain is dispatched to the unit that has suffered casualties, where he counsels friends and fellow soldiers. Meanwhile, the chaplain assistant and the personnel section begin generating memorial plans and dates.

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