Joint Mortuary Affairs Center
(JMAC)

History

The Quartermaster Corps holds the primary responsibility for search and recovery, establishment of collection points on the battlefield, initial identification of the deceased, the laying out of cemeteries, and overseeing proper interment. This mission, which used to be known as “Graves Registration”, has evolved to include not only the search and recovery of remains on the battlefield, but to respond to any mass fatality situation. The Civil War provided the first recorded incident of American soldiers making an effort to ensure that their identities would be known should they die on the battlefield. Graves Registration personnel (renamed to Mortuary Affairs in the late 1980s) were among the first to land at Normandy, immediately opening cemeteries to care for the fallen.

Army Fatality Management Specialists (renamed from Mortuary Affairs Specialists on Oct. 1, 2024) have deployed around the world to assist in such places as Korea, Somalia, Bosnia, Croatia, Vietnam, the Middle East, Oklahoma City, Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Katrina, earthquake efforts in Haiti, the Pentagon for Sept. 11 efforts, and most recently in New York for COVID-19 pandemic efforts.

Identification of remains is an important responsibility, a process that has been perfected to the point that even remains that are discovered many years later can often be identified. Burial of the dead, at one time a Quartermaster Corps responsibility, is conducted with honors befitting a fallen service member. National cemeteries were first established in 1862 and now number over 100. Military cemeteries located overseas are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission and contain the American dead from World Wars I and II. Today, the Army’s Fatality Management Specialists are trained at the Quartermaster School at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. The 54th Quartermaster Company, the Army’s only active Fatality Management unit, deploys from Ft. Gregg-Adams when called.

This duty to the fallen is owed on behalf of the Army and the Nation to the service members, their comrades, and their family. It is a duty performed sadly but willingly.

Related Links

CALL

The Center for Army Lessons Learned rapidly collects, analyzes, disseminates, and archives OIL, TTP and operational records in order to facilitate rapid adaptation initiatives and conduct focused knowledge sharing and transfer that informs the Army and enables operationally based decision making, integration, and innovation throughout the Army and within the JIIM environment.

Casualty & Mortuary Affairs

The help provided to the grieving families of deceased military personnel and the ceremonial paying of respect at their memorials provide the final demonstration of our Nation’s gratitude to those who faithfully defended our country in peace and war.

Army Sustainment Resource Portal

Relevent Resources for CASCOM Proponent Units

Mortuary Affairs Museum Galley

The exhibit gallery, “Duty to the Fallen: The Army’s Mortuary Mission” opened on November 20, 2000 as a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Mortuary Affairs Center, Ft. Gregg-Adams, VA, and the Quartermaster Museum.

SKN

Sustainment Knowledge Network

National Funeral Directors Association

Are you an Active-Duty, National Guard, or Reserve member looking for a meaningful second career in civilian life or while still serving?

Points of Contacts

Contact JMAC for all Current Fatality Management Operations, Training Development, Equipment and Initiative inquiries.