WIESBADEN, Germany – As a casualty affairs specialist for Installation Management Command Europe, Al White assists families through difficult times.
“Death is a part of life,” White said. “I feel like every time we have a casualty, we're helping out a family. We can't replace what you lost, but we can give you the resources to help prep you for the rest of your life.”
White joined the Europe and Africa Casualty Assistance Center in July 2023 after 22 years of active-duty service in the U.S. Army. His military service continued a family tradition dating back to World War I and continues with two of his sons. After retiring he looked for ways to continue serving. He first started as a teacher in Florida, but said he was drawn back to federal service by the benefits. “After serving 20 years, I could do 10 years and retire again.”
With his experience in the Military Police and as a casualty notification and assistance officer, White searched for jobs and applied for those that fit his skill set. He returned to federal service as a civilian employee with IMCOM-Europe in Wiesbaden, which is also where he first met his wife on one of his four tours in Europe.
“I admire people that serve their country,” White said. “I feel like that's our duty as an American citizen, to serve your country in some way, shape or form.
“Even when I was a teacher, I still felt like I was an ambassador for the Army,” White said.
In his role with the Casualty Assistance Center, White assists the survivors of service members, civilian employees, retirees and their family members who die overseas. The team covers this responsibility across an 86-country area including countries in Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.
Besides assisting with insurance and benefit processing, the team makes travel arrangements and assists with funeral arrangements and military honors. Hearing from families about the difference they’ve made for them during a difficult time is rewarding, White said. White recently received an email from the family of a World War II veteran for whom they arranged military honors at his funeral in England:
“It was a very moving and emotional tribute, we were very honored to have had their company in recognising our father's service in the U.S. Army … We would further like to express our thanks to the US Army, both to yourselves and to everyone who made this happen and for providing this service to past servicemen and their families.”
“I always forward them to the chain of command,” White said of the email, “so they can see what their junior leaders are doing to represent not only themselves, but the unit, the senior leaders in the Army and us because they go out on our behalf to the family.”
Besides making a difference for families, White said he’s enjoyed joining the IMCOM-Europe G-1 team. It is a great group, he said. “Not only in the casualty section, but the G-1 in general. The family in G-1 is like it's a new platoon or company, like being back in the Army, but we're all civilians.”
Outside of work, White said he loves being back in Germany, the history, the culture and travel opportunities. His favorite pastimes include riding his motorcycle on the back country roads and visiting castles.
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