Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)

The mission of the Red Cross concerning the Armed Forces is to support and supplement those activities of the military that affect the health, welfare and morale of service members and their families.

The Armed Forces Emergency Services provided by the local chapter include:

• Emergency Communication

  American Red Cross emergency communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child or other family emergencies. The Red Cross sends messages anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and isolated military units.

• Financial Assistance

  The Red Cross may provide access to financial assistance, either as an interest-free loan or as a grant. Access to financial assistance may be provided when there is a demonstrated need for funds for emergency travel, burial assistance or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter.

• Services to Reserves and National Guard

  Members of the U. S. Armed Forces don't have to be actively deployed to benefit from American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services. The Red Cross provides services to more than 1.5 million members of the Reserves and National Guard when they are living in their local communities and when they are mobilized.

  American Red Cross services are also available to members of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, Recruiters, U.S. Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, retirees and to their families.