It’s Murphy’s Law that when they deploy things will go wrong. Sometimes it’s the car engine going or the roof leaks. Those are the things we can handle (even though it may not seem like it at the time). Those are the things that you don’t need them to come home for.
However, there maybe an emergency situation that requires your spouse to come home immediately.
The question is how do you get them home?
During a serious event in which your deployed spouse needs to return home, shockingly it is not the military who you will turn to. You will actually need to utilize the Red Cross. Through the Service to Armed Forces Program (SAF) the Red Cross has become a direct connect between service members and their family during emergency situations.
How To Get Them Home In A Serious Emergency Through The Red Cross
When contacting them it would make things a lot quicker and easier if you know you soldiers Unit/Company and location.
By Phone
According to the Red Cross website “you can initiate a request for emergency assistance for members of the military currently serving on active duty by contacting our Red Cross Hero Care Center, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Using a computer, smartphone or tablet, you can start a request for services and track progress from anywhere in the world. To speak to a Red Cross Emergency Communications Specialist call: 1-877-272-7337.”
Hero Care App
This past Veterans Day the Red Cross released their new Hero Care App.
“The new Red Cross Hero Care App puts vital services at the fingertips of our military community. It’s free, easily downloadable, and is designed to provide resources that can help alleviate anxiety during emergencies. Here are just some of the Hero Care Apps features:
- Instantly generates an emergency message via phone or online.
- Explains the extensive array of Red Cross SAF services.
- Identifies local resources and information provided by trusted community and government partners such as the VA.
The Hero Care App is available in both English and Spanish. It can downloaded by going to redcross.org/apps or it can be accessed by texting GET-HERO-CARE to 90999.”
Going through an emergency is scary enough, but being prepared will hopefully help to remove some of the extra stress that comes along with having to track down your spouse overseas.
Be sure to share this with your other military friends.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market.
She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.