How to Compose a Follow-Up Release

How To 7 min
Provide the most up-to-date information in a follow-up release after an injury or casualty.

A follow-up release goes beyond the initial release by providing the most up-to-date, relevant information permitted for release to update the public about an incident. One important thing to remember is that events change as new facts come to light. Don’t rely on preliminary information. If facts have changed, use the new information. Several follow-up releases may be distributed after the initial release that ID victims, depending on the scope of the incident and when the next-of-kin notification occurs.

Follow along with the steps below and use the follow-up release template as a framework to help guide you in your composition. Remember to check with your unit first to confirm if you should use an established template instead.

Attention!
Check with your unit to ensure there are no further local policies or guidelines for this task.

The lead sentence should be the same as what was provided for the initial release but with the following updates:

  • Date
  • News peg, if applicable
  • Unit’s information, if available now, to add more clarity to the impersonal "who" information

Example of a lead sentence with updated information that reads, "A patrolman from the 26th Security Forces Squadron was killed and a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron was injured during a shooting at approximately 7 a.m., Oct. 24 at the Herbert Library."
An example of a lead sentence updated with new information. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Example of a lead sentence with updated information that reads, "A patrolman from the 26th Security Forces Squadron was killed and a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron was injured during a shooting at approximately 7 a.m., Oct. 24 at the Herbert Library."
An example of a lead sentence updated with new information.
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VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1002

  • If fatalities occur, it is critical to confirm the next of kin were all notified and that the 24-hour notification period is over. The next of kin list can be very long or quite short. Regardless of how many there are, it's important to notify ALL next of kin before proceeding.
    • It's important to note the notification period is 24 hours after the LAST next of kin has been notified. That is based on the personnel accountability information on the deceased and who is listed as next of kin.
    • Permission from the next of kin to release the name is not required. If the next of kin asks that the name not be released, the commander can decide to honor that request.
  • The names of the injured, along with specific injuries, are only releasable with the injured patient’s consent. If consent is not given, the unit and duty title can still be provided, along with the condition statement (e.g., stable).

After you receive consent, move on to the next step.

In the second sentence or paragraph, list the dead. Continue to step 4 if there are no deceased. Note that you must have completed step 2, confirm personal information is releasable, before releasing the names of the deceased.

When listing the deceased:

  • List the individuals in alphabetical order by last name.
  • Include the following information, if applicable, in this order:
    • Service
    • Rank
    • Full name
    • Age
    • Job title
    • Unit
    • Home

Civilian contractors will not have a service or rank.

Structure the beginning of the sentence appropriately based on the number of deceased people, using the following format:

  • For a single deceased person:
    • Indent the sentence.
    • Begin the bridge with “Dead is...”
    • Continue on the same line with the deceased’s information.
  • For two or more deceased:
    • Do not indent the opening line.
    • Begin the bridge with “Dead are:” on its own line.
    • Break to the next line.
    • Indent and list each deceased person's information on their own line.

Writing sample of a bridge sentence for one deceased that reads, "Dead is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, 27, a patrolman with the 26th SFS, originally from Del Rio, Texas." A second sample of a bridge for two or more deceased reads, "Dead are: Elizabeth M. Jones, 42, a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron here, originally from Rapid City, South Dakota. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, 27, a patrolman with the 26th SFS, originally from Del Rio, Texas.
The first example depicts a bridge sentence for listing one deceased person. The second example shows the bridge sentence format to use if there are two or more deceased. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Writing sample of a bridge sentence for one deceased that reads, "Dead is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, 27, a patrolman with the 26th SFS, originally from Del Rio, Texas." A second sample of a bridge for two or more deceased reads, "Dead are: Elizabeth M. Jones, 42, a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron here, originally from Rapid City, South Dakota. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, 27, a patrolman with the 26th SFS, originally from Del Rio, Texas.
The first example depicts a bridge sentence for listing one deceased person. The second example shows the bridge sentence format to use if there are two or more deceased.
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VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1003
Continue to step 5 if there are no injuries. Note that you must have completed step 2, confirm personal information is releasable, before releasing the names of the injured.

Be sure to confer with the injured person, commander, JAG and medical community for details on the injured person(s).

You must receive written consent to include the names of the injured. If there are both injuries and fatalities, do not list the deceased and injured in the same paragraph. Start a new section for the injured. The structure for both listings is very similar.

When listing the injured:

  • Write about injuries in the past tense.
  • List the individuals in alphabetical order by last name.
  • Include the following information, if applicable, in this order:
    • Service
    • Rank
    • Full name
    • Job title
    • Unit

Civilian contractors will not have a service or rank.

Structure the beginning of the sentence appropriately based on the number of injured people, using the following format:

  • For a single injured person:
    • Indent the sentence.
    • Begin the bridge with “Injured was...”
    • Continue on the same line with the injured person’s information.
  • For two or more injured:
    • Do not indent the opening line.
    • Begin the bridge with “Injured were:” on its own line.
    • Break to the next line.
    • Indent and list each injured person's information on their own line.

Writing sample of the bridge sentence for one injured that reads, "Injured was Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, a patrolman with the 26th Security Forces Squadron." Writing sample for two or more injured that reads, "Injured were: Elizabeth M. Jones, a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, a patrolman with the 26th Security Forces Squadron."
When listing the injured, the bridge sentence format is similar to listing the deceased. The first example is for one injured and the second is for two or more injured. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Writing sample of the bridge sentence for one injured that reads, "Injured was Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, a patrolman with the 26th Security Forces Squadron." Writing sample for two or more injured that reads, "Injured were: Elizabeth M. Jones, a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, a patrolman with the 26th Security Forces Squadron."
When listing the injured, the bridge sentence format is similar to listing the deceased. The first example is for one injured and the second is for two or more injured.
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VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1004
Once the bridge is done, it's time to begin discussing the cause of death, type of injuries and other medical details. Continue to step 6 if there are no deceased.

Similar to the bridge, begin by listing the deceased, followed by the injured. The dead will have their own paragraph(s) and the injured will have their own paragraph(s). List the individuals in alphabetical order by last name.

The body should begin with the deceased's condition upon arrival at the medical facility and the time they arrived. This information can also be combined with other medical data, but make sure to cover all the information within the body. 

  • If two or more of the deceased share the same details, they can be combined into one paragraph.
  • If any details differ, give each person their own paragraph explaining the details.

Use the following format:

[Last name] was pronounced dead at [medical facility] at [time], said [doctor full ID]. They died of [cause of death].

When writing the body details for the deceased:

  • Always attribute all medical information. Every paragraph that mentions a prognosis must have an attribution.
  • Don't say the deceased were “pronounced dead on arrival,” if you don’t know for sure.

While writing about the dead and injured, be mindful of the pain everyone involved is going through. Be tasteful and consider propriety at all times. 

  • Use common vocabulary, not complex medical terms.
  • Report the injured suffered from their wounds, not sustained.
  • Report ‘internal injuries’ instead of graphically talking about the dead’s organs rupturing and being torn asunder.
  • Report ‘blood loss’ instead of getting too graphic about excessive bleeding.
  • Report ‘head injury’ instead of saying their brain was severely injured.
  • Report ‘gunshot wounds’ instead of detailing where they were hit.

Writing sample for composing medical information that reads, "Jones and Smith were pronounced dead on arrival at the Billy Mitchell Medical Center at 12:30 p.m., said U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren O’Malley, the hospital's chief of medical services at BMMC. Both died of internal injuries." The second example reads, "Jones was pronounced dead on arrival at the Billy Mitchell Medical Center at 12:30 p.m., said Col. Lauren O’Malley, the hospital's chief of medical services at BMMC. She died of internal injuries. Smith was pronounced dead on arrival at the BMMC at 12:30 p.m., said O’Malley. He died of blood loss."
Examples of writing medical information for the deceased in the story’s body. The first example is of the deceaseds' information merged. The second example shows the information separated. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Writing sample for composing medical information that reads, "Jones and Smith were pronounced dead on arrival at the Billy Mitchell Medical Center at 12:30 p.m., said U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren O’Malley, the hospital's chief of medical services at BMMC. Both died of internal injuries." The second example reads, "Jones was pronounced dead on arrival at the Billy Mitchell Medical Center at 12:30 p.m., said Col. Lauren O’Malley, the hospital's chief of medical services at BMMC. She died of internal injuries. Smith was pronounced dead on arrival at the BMMC at 12:30 p.m., said O’Malley. He died of blood loss."
Examples of writing medical information for the deceased in the story’s body. The first example is of the deceaseds' information merged. The second example shows the information separated.
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VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1005
The medical details for the injured will use the same format as those of the deceased. If there are no injured individuals, continue to step 7.

The injured section should begin with how and when the injured arrived at the medical facility, followed by the known condition(s) and type(s) of injury. This information can also be combined with other medical data, but make sure to cover all the information within the body. List the individuals in alphabetical order by last name. 

Compose the medical details for the injured exactly like those of the deceased:

  • If two or more of the injured share the same details, they can be combined into one paragraph.
  • If any details differ, give each person their own paragraph explaining the details.
  • Any and all mentions of a prognosis or medical information must have an attribution.
  • Use the past tense when including the known condition and type of injuries sustained, if disclosure is permitted. 

Use the following format:

[Last name] was in [known condition] with [type of injury].

Lastly, just like for the deceased, be mindful and tasteful and consider propriety at all times when writing about the injured. Refer to step 5 for more details on writing about a deceased individual. Public affairs professionals should review all the information before release. Remember to consider the Privacy Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA. Care should be given to preserve the dignity of the victims and their families.

Writing sample of listing medical information that can be merged, which reads, "Jones and Smith were both in critical condition with internal injuries at BMMC, said O’Malley." A second example shows the information separated when it can't be merged, which reads, "Jones was in stable condition with cuts and bruises at BMMC, said O’Malley. Smith was in critical condition with a chest wound at BMMC, said O’Malley."
The format for writing medical information for the injured in the body of the article is very similar to writing for the deceased. The first example shows the information merged. The second example shows the information separated when it can't be merged. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Writing sample of listing medical information that can be merged, which reads, "Jones and Smith were both in critical condition with internal injuries at BMMC, said O’Malley." A second example shows the information separated when it can't be merged, which reads, "Jones was in stable condition with cuts and bruises at BMMC, said O’Malley. Smith was in critical condition with a chest wound at BMMC, said O’Malley."
The format for writing medical information for the injured in the body of the article is very similar to writing for the deceased. The first example shows the information merged. The second example shows the information separated when it can't be merged.
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Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1006
After the deceased and injured have been mentioned, add all remaining releasable information. For example:

  • Condolence quote from the commander
  • Incident details
  • Weather conditions
  • Mission-related facts
  • Number of crew
  • Memorial service information or emotional support details
  • Contact number for the public affairs office for more information

Release only directly relevant information with command approval, balanced against the risk of assigning blame or culpability.

Miscellaneous text that reads, "'Our hearts go out to all involved,” said Col. Emeline Miller, 26th Air Mobility Wing commander, "We're deeply saddened by the injuries that Jones suffered and the tragic loss of Sergeant Smith. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of the base community, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.' A memorial service for Sergeant Smith is scheduled for 10 a.m., Oct. 30 at the main chapel. In addition, the base chaplain is offering grieving and counseling services for Airmen and families affected by the shooting. The shooting suspect is in custody."
Example of miscellaneous information to include within the body. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Miscellaneous text that reads, "'Our hearts go out to all involved,” said Col. Emeline Miller, 26th Air Mobility Wing commander, "We're deeply saddened by the injuries that Jones suffered and the tragic loss of Sergeant Smith. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of the base community, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.' A memorial service for Sergeant Smith is scheduled for 10 a.m., Oct. 30 at the main chapel. In addition, the base chaplain is offering grieving and counseling services for Airmen and families affected by the shooting. The shooting suspect is in custody."
Example of miscellaneous information to include within the body.
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VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1007
Just like your initial release, the follow-up release has an investigation statement as the last paragraph of your story. Do not be creative here; instead, copy and insert the specific event as follows:

The [type of incident] is under investigation.

or

The incident is under investigation.

An investigation statement reads, "The incident is under investigation."
An example of an investigation statement. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
An investigation statement reads, "The incident is under investigation."
An example of an investigation statement.
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Explore the full example below of a completed follow-up release. Note the order, indentations and structure of the information below. 

A completed follow-up release example that reads, "JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas - A patrolman from the 26th Security Forces Squadron was killed and a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron was injured during a shooting at approximately 7 a.m., Oct. 24 at the Herbert Library. Dead is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, 27, a patrolman with the 26th Security Forces Squadron here, originally from Del Rio, Texas. Injured was Elizabeth M. Jones, a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron. Smith was pronounced dead on arrival at Billy Mitchell Medical Center at 12:30 p.m., said U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren O'Malley, the hospital's chief of medical services at BMMC. He died of blood loss. Jones was in stable condition with cuts and bruises at BMMC, said O’Malley. “Our hearts go out to all involved,” said Col. Emeline Miller, 26th Air Mobility Wing commander, "We're deeply saddened by the injuries that Jones suffered and the tragic loss of Sergeant Smith. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of the base community, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones." A memorial service for Sergeant Smith is scheduled for 10 a.m., Oct. 30 at the main chapel. In addition, the base chaplain is offering grieving and counseling services for Airmen and families affected by the shooting. The shooting suspect is in custody. The incident is under investigation."
A completed follow-up release example that contains a lead sentence, personable releasable information, a bridge for the deceased and injured, medical details, miscellaneous information and an investigation statement. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
A completed follow-up release example that reads, "JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas - A patrolman from the 26th Security Forces Squadron was killed and a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron was injured during a shooting at approximately 7 a.m., Oct. 24 at the Herbert Library. Dead is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John J. Smith, 27, a patrolman with the 26th Security Forces Squadron here, originally from Del Rio, Texas. Injured was Elizabeth M. Jones, a librarian with the 26th Force Support Squadron. Smith was pronounced dead on arrival at Billy Mitchell Medical Center at 12:30 p.m., said U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren O'Malley, the hospital's chief of medical services at BMMC. He died of blood loss. Jones was in stable condition with cuts and bruises at BMMC, said O’Malley. “Our hearts go out to all involved,” said Col. Emeline Miller, 26th Air Mobility Wing commander, "We're deeply saddened by the injuries that Jones suffered and the tragic loss of Sergeant Smith. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of the base community, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones." A memorial service for Sergeant Smith is scheduled for 10 a.m., Oct. 30 at the main chapel. In addition, the base chaplain is offering grieving and counseling services for Airmen and families affected by the shooting. The shooting suspect is in custody. The incident is under investigation."
A completed follow-up release example that contains a lead sentence, personable releasable information, a bridge for the deceased and injured, medical details, miscellaneous information and an investigation statement.
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Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 250207-D-ZW071-1001

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