Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 5410.01
June 2, 2009
ASD(PA)
SUBJECT: Release of Information Concerning Accidents Involving Military Personnel or
Equipment or Concerning Senior Personnel
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE
. This Instruction:
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 5410.1 (Reference (a)) as a DoD Instruction (DoDI) in
accordance with the authority in DoDD 5122.05 (Reference (b)) and establishes uniform policy
for the release of information concerning military personnel involved in accidents as well as
approval authority for release of casualty information concerning senior U.S. and foreign
government personnel when the Department of Defense is the responsible Executive Branch
Department.
b. Incorporates and cancels DoDD 5410.14 (Reference (c)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter
referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).
a. The provisions of this Instruction cover military accidents occurring inside and outside the
United States, its territories, or its possessions.
b. For military accidents occurring outside the United States, its territories, or its
possessions, additional guidance is set forth in applicable treaties, intergovernmental agreements,
and laws of other nations. Additional coordination with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate is
required to ensure proper notification to the host government.
c. The provisions of this Instruction do not cover military accidents involving nuclear
weapons, guidance for which is set forth in DoDD 5230.16 (Reference (d)).
