Go ahead and Ask Cindy your question now! Ask Cindy! This is a great question and one that comes up quite often in various forms. The short answer is yes, there are many relief organizations out there that provide assistance to Service members who are in need, both officer and enlisted, as well as their families. Some assistance is in the form of a loan, and some are considered grants that do not need to be paid back. Each branch of service has a relief organization that provides emergency financial assistance. More information on how to apply for aid can be found at their websites or by calling: Army Emergency Relief (AER) www.aer.org 1-866-878-6378 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) www.nmcrs.org Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) www.afas.org 1-800-769-8951 Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) www.cgmahq.org 1-800-881-2462 You can also request assistance from The Red Cross. They provide assistance to eligible applicants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They offer financial assistance to service members and their families to address a variety of emergency needs, including emergency travel. To request assistance through The Red Cross, contact the local chapter from the phone book or the website: www.redcross.org. They can also be reached at 1-877-272-7337 within the continental United States. Many states have a National Guard Foundation to provide financial aid to eligible National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Check with your state’s Joint Forces Headquarters or search for it online. Cindy Do you have a question about military ...