Next of Kin Notification

• If a marine is injured or wounded, a military representative calls the next of kin and notifies them of the injury. A personal visit to the home of the next of kin is only made when a Marine has been killed. The name of a wounded Marine is never released to the media without the next of kin being notified first. The policy of the U.S. military is to give the next of kin only confirmed information about the events that occurred. Although there is no official deadline, the next of kin is usually notified with 24 to 36 hours of the injury.
  
  

Medical Treatment

• Injured soldiers are usually treated at U.S. military hospitals in the United States such as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center or in overseas American military hospitals such as the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. According to the University of California San Francisco website, the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is the largest American military hospital overseas and receives about 75 soldiers injured during current military operations in Iraq each week. Soldiers are usually airlifted to the hospital within 24 to 48 hours of the injury. Treatment for injured military personnel at these military hospitals are paid for by the U.S. government.
  
  

Continued Service or Disability Benefits

• A Marines who has been injured while on active duty receives treatment and sometimes continues with his military duties if the injury is not significant. If the injury is significant, and the Marine cannot continue his military duty, then the Marine is usually sent home and becomes eligible for either Veteran Disability Compensation through the Department of Veteran Affairs or disability benefits through Social Security. A veteran is considered eligible for Veteran Compensation Benefits if the veteran has an injury related to military duty or was discharged from the military for reasons other than dishonorable conditions. Additional military benefits are given if the veteran has a severe injury, such as a loss of limb, or if she has dependents to support.
  
  

Awards or Honors

• The Purple Heart medal is a combat medal awarded to soldiers who are wounded or killed by enemy action. The award is a heart-shaped purple medal with a gold-plated border and a gold profile image of George Washington in the center. The award is attached to a purple ribbon and is traditionally pinned to the left breast pocket of the recipient. The recipient's name is engraved within the heart under an inscription that reads "For Military Merit." The U.S. military recently announced changes to the eligibility guidelines for Purple Hearts that will now allow soldiers who have received concussions and brain injuries during military action to be eligible for the award.