Last October, the Navy changed the status of Navy Capt. Scott Speicher - missing in action since his F/A-18 was shot down on

the opening night of the Gulf War in January 1991 - once again.

Originally, listed as Killed in Action, his status was changed in January 2001 to "Missing."



Pressured by a small group of Senators, the Navy again changed

Speicher's designation in October 2002.



However, Speicher's new designation was not "Prisoner of War." His status, and the status of all future captured service personnel, is "Missing/Captured" or "MIA-C."



Just as "Missing/Captured" or MIA-C has replaced POW, DUSTWUN or "Duty Status and Whereabouts Unknown" has become a holding or temporary designation for service personnel from AWOL to Captured, giving command 10 days to make a determination of status.



The definition of DUSTWUN, per DOD Instruction (DODI) 1300.18 6.1.2.2



"DUSTWUN Cases - Duty Status and Whereabouts Unknown is a temporary designation when a members' actual status is uncertain. As such, the NOK (Next of Kin) will be kept informed of progress in determining the members' actual status. Casualty assistance is not provided unless the member's actual status is determined to be deceased or missing."



For more information about POW/MIA Categories and Meanings, please visit:



http://www.powmiaff.org/categories.html