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

Active duty service members stationed in the United States, and their immediate family members, can call the Service to the Armed Forces Center for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at (314) 516.2700. Other family members, National Guard and Reservists, retirees and civilians may request emergency services by calling (877) 272.7238.

The American Red Cross also provides 24-hour emergency communication services to personnel stationed at military installations overseas. Personnel can access Red Cross services by calling base/installation operators or on-base Red Cross stations. Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services workers are also sent to areas of conflict when military personnel are deployed.

When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, please have the following information ready:

• Service Member's Full Name
• Rank/Rating
• Branch of Service
• Social Security Number
• Military Address Where Deployed
• Home Base Unit