I have an emergency! Who do I call?
If an urgent issue or emergency happens while your trainee is in Basic Training, you do not have to wait for the mail.
AMERICAN RED CROSS:
You can contact them for medical emergencies, births, or deaths. This will take a few hours to come down the channels and get to the unit.
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/emergency-communication
1-877-272-7337
You’ll need:
-Service member information
- Full legal name
- Rank/rating (In most cases this will be Private)
- Branch of service: Army
- Social Security number or Date of Birth
-Military unit address
Information about the emergency
- Name and contact for the immediate family member experiencing the emergency (could be spouse, parent, child/grandchild, or grandparent)
- Nature of the emergency
- Where the emergency can be verified (hospital, doctor’s office, funeral home)
EMERGENCY LEAVE:
This can be granted, but it is decided on a case-by-case basis by the command team and generally only for an immediate family member.
Should I tell my trainee?
Every cycle we get asked this question. “Should I wait to tell my trainee until Family Day or Graduation?” That is up to you. You know your trainee better than we do. Sadly, there’s not an answer that fits every circumstance. Some trainees would be angry if their family keeps something so large from them. Some would understand that the family was trying to help them stay focused. It is your choice. The company will not inform your trainee of anything. They will just be told they need to call a certain person. Your trainee has his platoon members to help him through this. He has developed very strong bonds with these guys.
Your trainee also has access to a chaplain if he feels the need for spiritual aid.
AMERICAN RED CROSS:
You can contact them for medical emergencies, births, or deaths. This will take a few hours to come down the channels and get to the unit.
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/emergency-communication
1-877-272-7337
You’ll need:
-Service member information
- Full legal name
- Rank/rating (In most cases this will be Private)
- Branch of service: Army
- Social Security number or Date of Birth
-Military unit address
Information about the emergency
- Name and contact for the immediate family member experiencing the emergency (could be spouse, parent, child/grandchild, or grandparent)
- Nature of the emergency
- Where the emergency can be verified (hospital, doctor’s office, funeral home)
EMERGENCY LEAVE:
This can be granted, but it is decided on a case-by-case basis by the command team and generally only for an immediate family member.
Should I tell my trainee?
Every cycle we get asked this question. “Should I wait to tell my trainee until Family Day or Graduation?” That is up to you. You know your trainee better than we do. Sadly, there’s not an answer that fits every circumstance. Some trainees would be angry if their family keeps something so large from them. Some would understand that the family was trying to help them stay focused. It is your choice. The company will not inform your trainee of anything. They will just be told they need to call a certain person. Your trainee has his platoon members to help him through this. He has developed very strong bonds with these guys.
Your trainee also has access to a chaplain if he feels the need for spiritual aid.