Chartered by Congress, the American Red Cross plays a vital role in supporting our military and their families wherever they go around the globe. Emergency communications, financial assistance, counseling and other support are available to active duty personnel, National Guard and Reservists, retired military members, and their immediate families.

Emergency Communications. Each year, the Red Cross delivers more than 600,000 emergency communications, from birth announcements to notification of illness or death in the family. The Red Cross emergency communications service is a valued resource family members can use to ensure the delivery of important messages to their loved ones in a time of crisis or celebration. Our verification service also helps military authorities make leave decisions for soldiers to return home to their families. Please have the following information ready before you initiate an emergency communication:

• Service members complete name, rank or rating, branch of service, social security or I.D. number, military address, and telephone number.
• You will also be asked for detailed information about your relationship to the service member, local points of contact, and the names and numbers of others involved with the emergency. All information give to the Red Cross remains confidential.

Financial Assistance. Each branch of the military offers financial help through Military Aid Societies. In most cases, a zero-interest loan is advanced to the soldiers pay. Payments are issued directly to the merchants and creditors and must be supported with copies of bills, invoices and budget sheets. The American Red Cross can help you with the application process, and will facilitate the approved payments.

Travel Assistance. If your service member was injured and is being treated in a hospital in the U.S., you may qualify for the Casualty Travel Assistance Program to get you bedside. The program helps with airfare and lodging.

Casualty Consultation. The loss of a soldier is a traumatic event. The American Red Cross offers support to family members through professional Mental Health workers. Please feel comfortable to ask for support at any time.

Information and Referral. The American Red Cross will gladly provide resources to other groups and organizations for needs you may have. Begin your search with Military One Source http://www.militaryonesource.com/

Support for Military Families. The Red Cross briefs departing service members and their families regarding available support services and explains how the Red Cross may assist them during the deployment. Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families back home, access to financial assistance, counseling and assistance to veterans.

Red Cross Service to Armed Forces personnel serve in nearly 1,000 chapters in the United States, on 109 military installations around the world and alongside our troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Read about the role of the Red Cross in U.S. military history.

Need assistance? Call toll-free 1-800-696-3873.