Marc Coronel/American Red Cross

For many new service members, the decision to serve doesn’t feel real until they step inside the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in El Segundo, California. It is there, surrounded by family, anticipation, and uncertainty, that thousands of young Americans each year raise their right hand and commit to military service.

The Los Angeles based MEPS is the busiest in the nation. About 12,000 new service members go through every year, nearly five percent of all people starting military service in the country. Each weekday, recruits come in to finish the last steps of enlistment, take the Oath of Enlistment, and get ready to leave for basic training. For families, it’s often the first real goodbye that carries both hope and weight.

This is where the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces steps in. At MEPS, RedCross volunteers are a calm and familiar presence during a moment that can feel overwhelming.

Through the “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” briefings, volunteers connect with recruits and their loved ones, answering questions and explaining how the Red Cross supports service members, caregivers and families throughout their military journey.

Volunteers also assist recruits with completing family contact cards and ensuring information is entered correctly into the Red Cross casework system. It’s a small task that carries real importance. If an emergency arises later, this information allows families to reach the Hero Care Network quickly, which provides 24/7, year-round emergency communications and confidential support to military members and their families worldwide, connecting them with critical local, state and national resources. 

Red Cross volunteers work closely with MEPS staff to coordinate their support. They get training in military culture, Hero Care Network services and protecting personal information. Many volunteers have military experience or know the culture, which helps them connect with recruits and families in a real, respectful way.

At MEPS, the Red Cross is often one of the first civilian organizations recruits see after taking their oath, and one of the last to offer guidance before they leave. Before the uniform is worn and the challenges of service begin the Red Cross helps establish a sense of connection. This ensures service members and their families feel prepared and supported from the very start.

You too can support our nation's military and their families. Visit redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer/service-to-the-armed-forces for more information.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.