Leadership

Navy Gold Star Program coordinators are available to help leadership honor and remember not only the fallen, but their surviving family members as well. Contact your local NGS coordinator for more information.

To learn more about the Navy's casualty assistance programs,  download a digital copy of the Commander's Guide to Casualty Assistance by clicking the link below.

2018 Edition: The Commander's Guide to Casualty Assistance

 

Overview of the Navy Gold Star Program

The Navy Gold Star Program ensures that surviving families of deceased service members are not forgotten and remain part of the Navy family for as long as they desire. Survivors tell us that one of the greatest challenges they face in their grief journey is rebuilding resiliency as they transition to their new normal. A huge help in the resiliency building process for survivors is the reassurance that their loved one will never be forgotten and that they still can maintain their link to the Navy culture. Navy Gold Star’s mission is to deliver survivor assistance programs and services through a holistic approach.

Navy Gold Star coordinators connect survivors to support groups and grief and bereavement counselors, provide benefits milestone management, request copies of documents, and offer information and referral services, while providing survivors a safe and compassionate environment to experience their own unique grief.

Additionally, in times of emotional distress, figuring out what to do about finances can create a heavy burden. Personal financial counselors can provide education on investing, basic budgeting and a variety of other financial topics. Financial counselors are there when survivors need them, for as long as they need them. Our counselors are committed to assisting survivors in creating financial success and ensuring they are provided the information necessary to make sound decisions.

Navy Gold Star Program uses an all-inclusive approach to delivering services through a combination of both available government and non-government programs and organizations, i.e., chaplain services, personal financial counseling, school liaison assistance, family employment, and clinical counseling.

Eligible personnel include the widow, parents, and the next of kin of deceased service members. The term “widow” includes widowers. The term “parents” includes the mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, and foster parents who stood in loco parentis. The term “next of kin” only includes children, brothers, sisters, half-brothers, and half-sisters. The term “children” includes stepchildren and children through adoption.

Who to Contact

Navy Gold Star coordinators function as the long-term support personnel for survivors. They facilitate support groups, provide life skills education, and connect survivors with counseling resources. The coordinators work closely with existing organizations and programs to deliver the best possible service at the right time. NGS coordinators closest to you can be found on this website under “Locations.” Call 1-888-509-8759 for support or to just ask a question. They are specifically designated and trained to assist you.

For More Information

Visit us at www.facebook.com/NavyGoldStar.