The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) conducts periodic updates and annual government briefings for
families of American servicemembers who are missing in action (MIA). These events are designed to keep family members
informed of the U.S. government's worldwide mission to account for those still missing and to discuss in detail
the latest information available about their specific cases.
At the annual and monthly update meetings, speakers include senior officials, experts, and scientists who work in
the wide range of tasks associated with the POW/MIA mission. During the meetings, there are formal presentations,
question and answer sessions, and one-one-one discussions between government officials and family members.
DoD has conducted these update programs since 1995, reaching more than 17,000 family members face-to-face.
Family Updates
Up to eight times a year, government officials meet with MIA family members who live within a 350-mile
radius of major metropolitan areas across the country. These meetings are designed to address the individual
needs of the family members while bringing information to their communities. Government officials also meet
one-on-one with family members to discuss the details of each of their cases. About 150-200 family members
and 30 government officials attend each meeting.
Annual Briefings
Two briefings are held annually in the Washington, D.C. area. One is for Vietnam War families and the other is
for Korean and Cold War families. The location of these events makes it possible for senior government officials
to attend and for families to access Washington-based offices related to POW/MIA matters. At these briefings,
family members have the opportunity to meet with numerous civilian and military specialists of the government
whose expertise includes: foreign government negotiation, formulation of national policy, remains recovery and
identification, DNA science, archival research and intelligence analysis.