What is the role of Red Cross workers with the military in time of conflict?
The Red Cross mission is to keep the American people in touch with their family members serving in the armed forces. To accomplish this work, Red Cross workers frequently deploy on assignment with military forces to keep the communication link operational around the clock and around the globe. Other Red Cross services are made available to military personnel on an as needed basis just as they are in the civilian communities.
 

Why doesn't the American Red Cross provide the same services for the public as if does to members of the armed forces?
With the exception of emergency communication services, the Red Cross does provide the same services to both military and civilian populations.

Military service is unique, frequently separating families for extended periods of time and often placing loved ones in harms way. Red Cross emergency communication services keep families in this unique situation connected when a problem develops back home.
 

Why can't the military provide for communication between members of the armed
forces and their families, instead of the Red Cross?
Assisting the American people to communicate with their family members serving in the Armed Forces was a mandate from the U.S. Congress to the American Red Cross many years ago. The majority of family members needing this assistance live in civilian communities far removed from military installations and many do not know how to reach a family member stationed in the military. They can and do, however, call their local Red Cross chapter where workers are available around the clock to assist.

Over 95 percent of the family emergencies requiring the presence of a military service member begin back home with the death/serious illness of a father, mother, grandparent or other close relative. Once the local Red Cross has verified all details relating to the emergency, information is sent to the service member stationed anywhere worldwide. The family may want this information shared with military commands that will decide if the service member will be granted emergency leave to come home. Commanders overseas and on ships at sea frequently require Red Cross verification before emergency leave is granted.

Military leaders are the first to say they do not have the capacity to verify and validate family emergencies or to get in touch with families back home. They turn to the Red Cross for this information, which is frequently transmitted over the Department of Defense (DOD) communications systems from one Red Cross worker to another.