Illinois Valley American Red Cross
Emergency Messages for Military Members/FamilyRed Cross emergency communications services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member's child or grandchild or when a family faces other emergencies.
When a military family experiences a crisis, the Red Cross is there to help. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, we relay urgent messages containing accurate, factual, complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to service members stationed anywhere in the world, including on ships at sea, at embassies and other remote locations.
Even if the service member receives an e-mail or phone call from home, Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers with making a decision regarding emergency leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able to come home during a family crisis.
Red Cross emergency communications are free.
GET CONNECTED NOW: Active duty
If you are an active duty service member stationed in the United States, or a family member residing with an active-duty service member, call the Red Cross 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 696-3873.
Please be prepared to provide the service member's:
Full name
Social Security number
Branch of service
Rank
Military unit
GET CONNECTED: Other loved ones
If you are a:
Family member of an active-duty service member, and you do not reside in the service member’s household;
Family member of Department of Defense civilians assigned overseas;
Member of the National Guard and Reserves;
A recruiter/MEPS military personnel;
Other
When a military family experiences a crisis, the Red Cross is there to help. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, we relay urgent messages containing accurate, factual, complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to service members stationed anywhere in the world, including on ships at sea, at embassies and other remote locations.
Even if the service member receives an e-mail or phone call from home, Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers with making a decision regarding emergency leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able to come home during a family crisis.
Red Cross emergency communications are free.
GET CONNECTED NOW: Active duty
If you are an active duty service member stationed in the United States, or a family member residing with an active-duty service member, call the Red Cross 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 696-3873.
Please be prepared to provide the service member's:
Full name
Social Security number
Branch of service
Rank
Military unit
GET CONNECTED: Other loved ones
If you are a:
Family member of an active-duty service member, and you do not reside in the service member’s household;
Family member of Department of Defense civilians assigned overseas;
Member of the National Guard and Reserves;
A recruiter/MEPS military personnel;
Other