Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the selection and nomination of visiting officers has been highlighted on the Commanding Officers Designate course; and if he will make a statement.

The Naval Service has a dedicated Royal Navy Royal Marines Welfare (RNRMW) team which includes individuals trained in specialist welfare work who carry out the role of Visiting Officer. Immediately following an incident the Naval Service Casualty Cell will inform the RNRMW team who will in turn nominate a Visiting Officer based on both work loading and location. This is considered a priority tasking. Commanding Officers are not, therefore, directly responsible for nominating Visiting Officers, although they are kept informed where appropriate. Commanding Officers are, however, made aware of the importance of the Visiting Officer function during the Designates Course to ensure they understand the process.

The selection and training of Army Casualty Notification Officers and Casualty Visiting Officers is a constant and on-going process. Selection is a responsibility of the Chain of Command. Although not part of the Commanding Officers Designate Course formal syllabus, the importance of the selection and nomination of Visiting Officers is included in other forums such as the All Arms Adjutant Course.

The RAF briefs designate Commanding Officers at the RAF Future Commanders Study Period held at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham. The role and selection of Visiting Officers is raised as one element of this briefing alongside the importance of making an intelligent and appropriate selection based upon the circumstances of each case.