For over 140 years, the American Red Cross has provided comfort and support to service members during every major forward troop movement and mobilization. From providing nursing services for wounded soldiers during the Spanish-American War to transmitting emergency communications and boosting the wellness and preparedness of service members stationed in the Middle East or Eastern Europe today, the Red Cross is there to ensure the humanitarian needs of the nation’s military members are met, wherever they are.
All active-duty service members, veterans, Department of Defense contractors, civilian personnel (on Status of Armed Forces Agreement) and their families are eligible to free Red Cross services on their military installations and bases overseas.
At home bases (semi- and permanent locations), the Red Cross promotes the health and wellbeing of our troops and their families through a variety of whole health programs and services including:
Mental health professionals provide small group, large group and virtual sessions to promote effective communication, coping skills, positive mental health and resilience. Workshops include psychological first aid, reconnection, mind-body and mindful movement.
Compassionate medical and non-medical volunteers provide companionship and support to hospitalized soldiers, veterans and their families. Medical volunteers do routine hospital tasks to free up staff so that they can help those who need help most urgently while non-medical volunteers promote positive feelings in patients by routine visits and distributing therapy items.
Military dependents can receive free education and training in various health professions including dental assistant, pharmacy tech and medical administration. Programs aim to provide participants with the skills necessary to get hired as a health professional into the Government Schedule system at their next installation or work in a private practice.
Aria Dula-Klontz participates in chairside training in the Red Cross dental assistant program. The free program gives learners all the classroom instruction and hands-on training they need to be dental assistants so when their families move, they can put those skills to work at their next military installation or in private dental practice.
“I definitely think that people should jump on any Red Cross opportunity. It’s a great way to help your community and help the armed forces and everything that they do and complete their mission,” she said.
While overseas, members of the military community are encouraged to enroll in courses that teach skills to save lives and keep the community safe.
Members of the Red Cross expeditionary mobile workforce, a special team of Red Crossers, trained in casework, emergency communications and volunteer programs deploy to designated theaters of operations around the world to support service members in even the most austere and primitive locations. At deployed sites, our mission adapts to meet the unique needs of unaccompanied soldiers through programming including:
Red Crossers notify military commands and verify family emergencies for soldiers and DoD personnel serving overseas.
On forward deployed sites otherwise devoid of leisure opportunities, Red Cross Respite Centers provide service members with a third space to relax, recharge, give back and connect with one another.
Read how the Red Cross provided Daniel Rungo with a quiet space to earn his M.B.A on deployment to Poland. Read Daniel's Story Here »
Red Crossers meet troops where they are, delivering surprise care packages filled with snacks and personal items to boost morale in the field and during training exercises.
Service members can connect with others, develop new skills and contribute to their community through the robust volunteer programs offered by the Red Cross. Volunteering may contribute towards promotion points across certain military branches.
The Red Cross helps the military community prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters both big and small while living aboard.
Mission in action: When typhoon Khanun, a category 4 storm smashed in Japan and the Korean peninsula, the Red Cross Response Team in Okinawa, served the military community, distributing comfort and clean up kits and providing more than $82,000 in financial assistance, the largest natural disaster relief operation in the history of Service to the Armed Forces.
A Red Crosser opens a case for a young U.S. marine serving on Camp Hansen, Japan after being impacted by typhoon Khanun.
Two Red Crossers unload comfort kits to the U.S. military community on Kadena, Japan following typhoon Khanun.
Leveraging a global network of volunteers and staff, the Red Cross supports over 240,000 military families every year. Discover all the meaningful ways to support your military community while living abroad.
Under 18? Consider joining our International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign (IHL-YAC). You’ll learn to use social media to help launch educational campaigns in your communities around the laws of war.
Interested in the Armed Forces Blood program? Look up your local chapter to learn more.
Meet our expeditionary mobile workforce, an elite group of Red Crossers who deploy to austere locations around the world to support the humanitarian needs of service members.
Caregivers from all eras and services are invited to join and exchange experience, empathy, education and encouragement.
A 24/7 support system for families as they face crises of all kinds.
The American Red Cross is embracing a whole health model to care for and comfort members of the nation’s military, veterans, their families and caregivers.
Your gift will help ensure that those who serve our country have our unwavering support.
Access vital emergency and non-emergency resources for military members, veterans and military families.
Contact your local Red Cross chapter to see what services are available in your area.