To request American Red Cross services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, please call your local branch office.

The American Red Cross provides an exclusive worldwide communications and support network that serves as a lifeline between military service members and their families. For the American soldier and his or her family, the Red Cross is the connection to home, relaying urgent information -- a family crisis, a death in the family, a financial emergency, or a joyous birth. Tragedy can strike a family any time, day or night, and separation due to military service often makes it difficult to reach a man or woman in uniform. The Red Cross communications system is capable of reaching family members residing in the largest and smallest American communities, as well as ships at sea, embassies and isolated units. 


RED CROSS SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES INCLUDE:

• Emergency Communications. Keeping military personnel in touch with their families during family emergencies such as death, serious illness or the birth of a child. Red Cross emergency messages provide military personnel and their commanders with fast, reliable information to help them make decisions about emergency leave, deferment, compassionate reassignment and dependency discharge. Nationally, the American Red Cross transmits more than 1.4 million emergency messages each year to members of the U.S. Armed Services and their families.

• Financial Assistance
  Working with military aid societies to provide interest-free loans or grants when urgent personal or family crises arise. Financial aid is used for such things as emergency travel, burial assistance, food and helter.

• Counseling. Providing counseling, information, referrals and other social services to military families. This role is becoming increasingly important as more community-based military, such as the National Guard, are called to active service.

• Veterans. Assisting veterans in claiming financial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs and providing support services to patients in Veterans Administration hospitals. 

Career Development Guide

Step 1: Develop a Volunteer Career Path
(Our Services To Armed Forces (SAF) specialist will help you define your area(s) of interest then show you what training and experience is required to make your goals a reality. They will also discuss a variety of chapter and beyond-the-chapter opportunities with you.)

Military Services (956) 787-7851
mfuentes@southtexasredcross.org


Step 2: Enroll in the Courses You Need
(Our Volunteer Coordinator keeps track of the courses that are scheduled. They will also enroll you in the course(s) you need to begin your career development.)

SAF After-Hours Caseworker
Required: Orientation from staff on chapter SAF procedures. Introduction to Case Management Training (Self Study)
Recommended: Art of Helping, Basic Casework, Access to Financial Assistance

"Get To Know Us Before You Need Us" program associate
Required: Orientation from staff on chapter SAF procedures. Introduction to Case Management Training (Self Study), Public Speaking Workshop
Recommended: None

International Services Outreach Associate
Required: Orientation from staff on chapter SAF procedures
Recommended: Orientation to International Services, International Humanitarian Law, International Relief and Development, International Tracing and other Social Services