On December 18, 2002, the Dept. of Defense issued Instruction Number 1300.18. Its subject: "Military Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures defines the new Casualty categories, in Section E2.1.1.6. It reads: "Casualty Category. A term used to specifically classify a casualty for reporting purposes based upon the casualty type and the casualty status. Casualty categories include killed in action (KIA), died of wounds received in action

(DWRIA), beleaguered, besieged, captured, detained, interned, missing, in action (MIA), and wounded in action (WIA)."



The following sections defines the new categories for those captured or missing.



E2.1.1.24. Missing. A casualty status applicable to a person who is not at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location may or may not be known. Chapter 10 of 37 U.S.C. (reference (f)) provides statutory guidance concerning missing members of the Military Services. Excluded are personnel who are in an AWOL, deserter, or dropped-from-rolls status. A person declared missing is further categorized as follows:



E2.1.1.24.1. Beleaguered. The casualty is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force to prevent escape of its members.



E2.1.1.24.2. Besieged. The casualty is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force compelling it to surrender.



E2.1.1.24.3. Captured. The casualty has been seized as the result of action of an unfriendly military or paramilitary force in a foreign country.



E2.1.1.24.4. Detained. The casualty is prevented from proceeding or is restrained in custody for alleged violation of international law or other reason claimed by the government or group under which the person is being held.



E2.1.1.24.5. Interned. The casualty definitely known to have been taken into custody of a nonbelligerent foreign power as the result of and for reasons arising out of any armed conflict in which the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged.



E2.1.1.24.6. Missing. The casualty is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown.



E2.1.1.24.7. Missing in Action (MIA). The casualty is a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown.



A review of the entire directive finds that the phrase Prisoner or War or the acronym POW is never used.



The fact that the terminology Prisoner of War is no longer used was confirmed by Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England. In his 11 October 2002 memo announcing the change in status of Capt.

Michael Scott Speicher from Missing In Action to Missing/Captured, Secretary England stated:



"Although the controlling missing persons statute and directives do not use the term "Prisoner of War," the fact supporting a change in Captain Speicher's category from Missing in Action to

Missing/Captured would also support the conclusion that, if alive, he is a Prisoner of War."



http://www.nationalalliance.org/bits/naf2002/021019.htm

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Replying to:

I want to add the newest categories given to soldiers, the ones where POW is never used, to my website. The list was printed in an issue of the local VVA's newsletter, but I do know know where that newsletter is. If you know what I am talking about (I'm sure someone does), and know where I can find the list (I believe one category is what Speicher is now refered to -- missing-detained), please post the info here or e-mail me. Thanks !

Thank you very much. Don't you just love all the creative ways the DoD describes "Missing" ? ugh ! Despite the different terms presented, POW, MIA, WIA, and KIA are the only terms I will use.