Why can't
the military provide for communication between members of
the armed forces and their families, instead of the Red Cross?
Why doesn't
ARC provide the same services for the public as if does to
members of the armed forces?
What is
the role of Red Cross workers with the military in time of
conflict?
Has the
Red Cross undertaken the AFES Modernization Plan to de-emphasize
national and chapter service to military families?
What was
the role of the American Red Cross during World War II?
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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% 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.
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Why doesn't ARC 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.
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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.
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Has the Red Cross undertaken the AFES
Modernization Plan to de-emphasize national and chapter service
to military families?
The Modernization of AFES is nearly complete and Red Cross
services continue to be provided on all military installations
around the globe. The service delivery process was changed
to take advantage of advanced automation and telecommunication
technology. AFES has worked hard to combine this "high
tech" with the "high touch" clients and customers
expect from the Red Cross. AFES Modernization has enhanced
service delivery, increased efficiency and reduced operating
costs.
Furthermore, a new program to help chapters reach out to
National Guard, Reserve, and other military personnel will
soon be released. The number of guardsmen/reservists now exceed
active duty military and they are being called to active duty
in record numbers, more frequently and for longer periods
of time. The families of these "citizen soldiers"
need a place to turn for help when emergencies strike and
the military member is deployed. Red Cross chapters are uniquely
positioned to assist. Key chapters are helping to develop
this new program entitled "Get To Know Us Before You
Need Us" and are eager to begin delivery of this exciting
new program.
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What was the role of the American Red
Cross during World War II?
The Red Cross responded during World War II in many different
ways:
Provided emergency communication between members of the armed
forces and their families
Recruited 104,456 registered nurses and certified them for
the military
Collected 13.4 million pints of blood for military patients
Assembled and shipped nearly 28 million food and medicine
parcels for U.S. and Allied prisoners of war
Provided war relief supplies for 75 million civilians overseas
Carried on extensive relief and rehabilitation programs for
the civilian war victims
Stockpiled plasma from the new Red Cross Blood Donor Service
for the armed forces. Red Cross blood was used immediately
at hospitals near the bombing of Pearl Harbor to save the
first of many lives over the next four years
Overseas, thousands of American Red Cross workers operated
recreation clubs and clubmobiles in rest and recreation areas
or provided compassionate services for the troops they accompanied
Red Cross caseworkers and recreation staff were attached to
military hospitals, hospital ships, and hospital trains
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