When the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) does not specifically request a military member by name to serve as the escort, the Mortuary Officer, in conjunction with the commander of the unit of the deceased, will designate a military member of equal or higher rank than the decedent to escort the remains. The PADD may request, by name, a current active duty member of the military from any branch of Service to be the escort. Guard or Reserve members may be authorized if currently serving on orders.