Which role acts as the link between command and families and informs the CO about family status?

• A. Casualty Assistance Calls Officer
• B. Security Manager
• C. Command Career Counselor
• D. Ombudsman

Answer: (D)

The Ombudsman role serves as the link between command and families. Appointed by the Commanding Officer, the Ombudsman acts as the primary channel for family concerns and welfare, collecting information from families and relaying it to the CO. They keep the CO informed about family status, readiness, and welfare issues, helping the command tailor support and policies to real-world family needs. This contrasts with other roles that focus on specific duties—Casualty Assistance Calls Officers handle casualty matters, the Security Manager deals with security, and the Command Career Counselor handles career development—whereas the Ombudsman is the formal conduit for family-status information to the command.