Services to Armed Forces

It's a Fact of Military Life

Military families are frequently separated and on the move. No matter how strong the family ties, moves and separations often put a strain on relationships. They may lead to problems managing a home or children, making ends meet on a limited income, or adjusting to new communities, often without the help of families and friends.

The Red Cross can help with the immediate personal and family problems. When long-term counseling is required, appropriate referrals are made. All Red Cross Social Services are provided free of charge.

Emergency Communication

In the event of an emergency, critical accident, illness or death in a service member's immediate family, the Red Cross should be notified at once. Please call toll free 1-800-951-5600 24 hours a day. Be prepared! Ask your service member to provide the following information and have it ready when you call:

1. Service member's name; First, Last and middle initial

2. Branch of service

3. Social Security Number

4. Rank

5. Date of birth

6. Complete military address

The Red Cross is equipped to verify the situation and relay an emergency leave request, if necessary, to proper military authorities. It is then up to the commanding officer to decide whether or not to grant the leave.

Health and Welfare Inquiries

Regular communication between service members and their families is ordinarily no problem, but sometimes a long time with no word can become worrisome. The Red Cross can help. Through our worldwide communications network, we can communicate with the installation or ship wherever the service person is stationed. In addition, service members can request the same service related to families back home.

Information, Referral and Advocacy

A variety of health and supportive services are available from military and other sources. The Red Cross is available to help explain government benefits, identify resources and get the help needed.

Humanitarian Reassignment and Hardship Discharge

If a hardship exists within the immediate family that cannot be resolved by an emergency leave, the Red Cross can counsel the family or service member on how to request either a humanitarian reassignment closer to home or a hardship discharge. We help explain the procedures and documentation needed. Final decisions on these applications are made by military authorities.

Emergency Financial Assistance

When an emergency arises that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, the Red Cross may provide access to an interest-free loan or grant for travel expenses. These funds are made available by the military aid societies. They may be authorized for other emergencies as well and are disbursed on the basis of need. Referrals to specialized sources of help are also available to service members and their families. These Red Cross services, and more, are available to service members and their families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Also, many health and safety courses are available to help prevent, prepare for, and cope with emergencies.