MCAS Beaufort  Base Essentials

In the event of an emergency in transit, please contact the nearest American Red Cross office or call the American Red Cross Emergency Communications Services at 888-272-7337. The American Red Cross can assist with your emergency.

American Red Cross communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross quickly sends these communications on behalf of the family to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer with making a decision regarding emergency leave.

How to contact the Red Cross to send an emergency message:

Active-duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members may call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number is available through base or installation operators and from local on-base Red Cross offices. Other family members who do not reside in the service members' household, members of the National Guard and Reserves, retirees and civilians may access Red Cross services through their local Red Cross chapter, which is listed in local telephone books.

Overseas personnel stationed on military installations should call base or installation operators or the on-base Red Cross offices. At overseas deployment sites, contact the American Red Cross deployed staff.

When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, it is helpful to have the following information:

Service member's:

Full name
Rank/rating
Branch of service
Social Security number
Military address
Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit (for deployed service members only)

The Red Cross works with the military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). These partnerships help to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family (such as burial of a loved one), or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day (such as food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.).

In 2003, the American Red Cross, in partnership with the military aid societies, provided $5,387,846 in emergency financial aid to 6,457 service members, their families, retired military personnel and widows of retired military personnel.

How to access Red Cross services:

Active-duty service members stationed in the United States and family members residing in the service member's household (example: service member's spouse) should contact Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for information and assistance 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number may be obtained from military installation operators, from local on-base Red Cross offices and from the local Red Cross chapter.

All family members who do not reside in the service member's household, regardless of whether the service member is assigned at a local military installation or another geographical location, should contact their local American Red Cross chapter for assistance. Chapters are listed in local telephone directories.

Members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families should contact their local Red Cross chapter, listed in local telephone directories.

Active-duty service members on overseas military installations may access Red Cross reporting and communication assistance by contacting base/installation operators for the listing of the on-base Red Cross office, or information on how to access Red Cross assistance if there is not a representative on the local installation. Families living overseas may access assistance through the local on-base Red Cross office or through the base/installation operator for information if there is not a Red Cross representative on the local installation. In overseas deployment areas, service members should contact the American Red Cross office responsible for their jurisdiction/installation.

Note, when applying for financial assistance the same procedures are followed; however, applications are reviewed by the respective military aid societies and are approved by the respective aid society.

From its beginning, the Salvation Army has been motivated primarily by a love for God and a desire to serve mankind. Now, over 140 years later that motivation has not changed. As an internationally recognized denomination within the Christian Church, Salvation Army congregations gather each Sunday for worship and fellowship in many cities throughout the Carolinas. There are many programs offered at the Salvation Army, such as women's ministries, men's fellowship and youth groups.

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs are unique places created by the Salvation Army that offer programs and services that exemplify and actively practice Christian principles. This is done in a way that causes recipients of our services to learn to admire the values, ethics and skills presented, and incorporate them into their own lives. To reach today's young people and their families in a non-threatening way, our clubs create an accepting, positive and challenging environment where young people of every background, circumstance, race and creed feel welcomed. As part of the Salvation Army's family and services, this program is offered to the poorest and most needy among us. It is for this reason that the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs are so vital to the Salvation Army's mission and ministry. 

The Salvation Army is located at 2505 North Street. You may call 843-524-3727 for more information about the Salvation Army.

You can also contact the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society headquarters for financial assistance at 703-696-4904 or visit their website.  The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society can be reached at 843-228-7357 or 843-228-7043.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society can provide interest free loans or grants to help with emergency needs such as:

1. Emergency transportation
2. Funeral expenses
3. Medical/dental bills (patient's share)
4. Food, rent, and utilities
5. Disaster relief assistance
6. Child care expenses
7. Essential vehicle repairs
8. Unforeseen family emergencies

How to apply

Service members or eligible family members who have an emergency need should contact the nearest NMCRS location and make an appointment to be seen by an NMCRS caseworker. Bring your ID card and latest Leave and Earnings Statement with you, if available. If that office is closed and the emergency is of such a nature that it cannot wait until the next business day (e.g. death in the immediate family), the answering machine will provide instructions for obtaining after-hours assistance.

When there is no NMCRS office in the area, an available Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society, or American Red Cross Chapter Office can process your request on behalf of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.