The document provides information about emergency communications messages sent by the American Red Cross to notify military service members of family emergencies. The Red Cross will verify and send messages about the death, birth, or serious illness of an immediate family member to the service member's command. However, the messages do not guarantee that the service member will be granted emergency leave, as that decision is made by their chain of command. The process involves the family contacting the Red Cross, who verifies the emergency with medical providers and sends the message to the service member's command through Red Cross channels.

1. American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) 1-877-272-7337 Emergency Communications Messages Emergency messages are sent via American Red Cross when the service member’s command requires verification of an emergency or the service member’s family cannot directly contact the service member Emergency Messages DO NOT replace normal communications Messages can be regarding the death, birth or serious illness of an immediate family member such as a parent/ spouse/ child and stepchild/ sibling/ grandparent/ last living blood relative/ legal guardian An Emergency Message DOES NOT guarantee emergency leave Leave is determined by the service member’s chain of command HOW IT WORKS An emergency happens in the family. The family or service member contacts the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross obtains basic information on Service member and about the emergency. Emergency is verified by medical facility and / or qualified personnel. Message is sent to service member’s command via American Red Cross Channels.

2. American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) 1-877-272-7337 Emergency Message Information Full Name _______________________________________________ Rank AND Rating ___________________________________________ Branch of Service ___________________________________________ SS# AND Date of Birth ________-_________-________ ________-_________-________ Military Unit Address _________________________________________ __________________________________________ Staff Duty Phone ___________________________________________ Service Member Phone ____________________________________________