Post Service Officer (PSO)
POST SERVICE OFFICER (PSO)
A Post Service Officer (PSO) is a very important volunteer position in your post. They are often the first Legionnaire your post members or dependents turn to for help with veteran benefit issues. The PSO’s primary duty is to serve as a link between the veteran or dependent and an accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSO) in the Department of California.
POST SERVICE OFFICER TRAINING
Beyond helping to establish this link with an accredited service officer there is more a good Post Service Officer should know, The American Legion created the Post Service Officer’s Guide to assist PSO’s in their duties. It states:
“An effective PSO understands the benefits afforded to veterans and dependents; however, the PSO is not authorized to file any claims on behalf of the claimant. PSOs serve as valuable resources to veterans in local posts to ensure that our veterans and their dependents receive their earned benefits.”
For all who have been told their military records are lost,
call the VA at 844-531-7818.
To request your military service records (including DD-214) Click Here
POINTS OF CONTACT
Each PSO should have readily available contact information for various resources in their local area that could be beneficial to veterans and their dependents. These resources can include, but are not limited to:
- American Legion department service officer (DSO)
- County/local representatives with American Legion accreditation
- Agencies for senior citizens
- State and local nursing homes
- Homeless shelters
- State and national cemeteries
- Department of Veterans Affairs contact information, including phone numbers and website addresses
Dependent upon location, state, and municipal governments may provide benefits to disabled veterans; PSOs should contact DSOs and/or local accredited representatives to gather the information that could be provided through state government programs.
What To Do Before A Veteran Dies
https://www.legion.org/publications/226617/what-do-veteran-dies
How do I arrange for military funeral honors for a veteran? And what exactly are they?
The final act of respect America offers a veteran occurs during the funeral honors provided for veterans. Before that day arrives we can assist veterans and their loved ones as they prepare for that difficult day.
Some may see funeral honors as slightly out of place on a page devoted to post service officers and may feel it should be linked to information for Post Chaplains, it is. However, the Post Service Officer should also be aware that Funeral Honors is a complete section of the Post Adjutant’s Manual. Being aware of resources like the “What To Do Before A Veteran Dies” and other resources, lets post service officers really be of service to our veterans and their families during a difficult time of loss. Post chaplains can also be an important resource for families during difficult times.
We can help ease the burden on loved ones, by helping veterans understand the importance of making preparations in advance.
The brochure “What to Do Before A Veteran Dies” is a good resource that Post Chaplains and other leaders can use to help Legionnaires and their families during difficult times. It explains the importance of advance planning before a veteran dies, including the gathering of records and covers many of the resources and benefits available to veterans.
The information in this brochure includes,
Military Funeral Honors
As of Jan. 1, 2000, all eligible veterans, including military retirees, are entitled to military funeral honors. The funeral honors ceremony will include the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag and the playing of Taps. At least two uniformed military personnel, in addition to a bugler, if available, shall perform the ceremony. If a bugler is not available, a high-quality recording may be used. DoD has contracted for a ceremonial bugle that does not require a trained bugler.
For information, visit www.ceremonialbugle.com.
One of the uniformed military personnel will be from the deceased veteran’s parent military service and will present the flag to the next of kin. The military services may provide additional elements of honors and may use additional uniformed military personnel or other authorized providers, such as members of a veterans organization, to augment the funeral honors detail.
The appropriate individual must request the funeral honors. DoD policy calls for funeral directors, rather than next-of-kin, to contact the military. This toll-free number, (877) 645-4667, has been set up for funeral directors. See www.dmdc.osd.mil/mfh for details.
CalVet – Burial Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers several programs for veterans and their dependents, including national cemeteries, burial benefits, and survivor’s benefits. In addition, the Department of Defense manages the Military Funeral Honors Program. For assistance in completing applications for cemetery and burial benefits, please contact your local County Veterans Service Officer, or click on a link below for more information.
