First Thing
Find Your Person
Every branch has a designated spouse volunteer or liaison who connects families to their command. This person can help you navigate every other resource on this page. Find yours first.
Navy
Contact your command Ombudsman. The Navy's program is considered the gold standard for spouse volunteer support.
Air Force
Contact your Key Spouse Liaison.
Coast Guard
Contact your command Ombudsman. Note: the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), not the Department of War.
Marine Corps
Contact your command's Family Readiness Officer (FRO) — a uniformed service member chosen by the command.
Army
Contact your command or battalion's Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leader.
Right Now
Get Connected to Your Installation
Every installation has a Mass Warning Notification System (MWNS) — the fastest way to get alerts about weather closures, gate changes, or emergencies. Get on it today.
Installation Emergency Alerts
The Department of War has transitioned most branches to the Alert! or AtHoc systems.
Army, Navy, and Air Force
Most use the Alert! Self-Service portal.
How to Sign Up: Login at alert.csd.disa.mil using a CAC.
Family Instructions: In your profile, look for the "Family Members" or "Contact Methods" tab. You can add up to 10 phone numbers and emails. Ensure you check the box for "Receives Text Messages."
Marine Corps
Uses the Enterprise Mass Notification System (eMNS).
How to Sign Up: Look for the white/purple globe icon in your system tray (bottom right of desktop) and select "Access My Profile."
Pro Tip
When registering, also select your Region (e.g., Navy Region Southeast or Army IMCOM-Europe) in addition to your specific installation. This ensures you get broad-spectrum alerts that affect the whole region. Also follow your Regional Command page on Facebook/X — they often bypass official email delays for breaking news.
Family Service Centers
The hub for local news, workshops, and deployment support at every installation.
Find Yours: Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS Search to locate your center (Army Community Service, Fleet & Family Support, Airman & Family Readiness, etc.). Subscribe to their newsletter or follow their Facebook page for daily events.
Official Branch Apps
Each branch has a free official app designed to keep families informed with real-time installation updates, facility info, and family resources.
Navy
MyNavy Family 3.0 — An official U.S. Navy app that connects Navy spouses and their families to information on available family readiness resources.
Army
My Army Post (replacing Digital Garrison) — The primary free app for Army families with real-time, location-specific installation updates including gate traffic, facility info, ID card scheduling, and work orders.
Marine Corps
MarineParents.com App — Access to news, Marine administrative messages, and social media feeds for Marine families.
Air Force
USAF Connect — Official Air Force app with information on childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and spouse employment for Air Force families.
This Week
Expand Your Safety Net
These organizations provide support that goes beyond your installation — especially critical during deployments or emergencies away from base.
American Red Cross
The only organization that can send emergency messages to deployed service members on your behalf. Download the Hero Care App now — don't wait until you need it. Learn more at RedCross.org.
USO (United Service Organizations)
Local and regional centers with family programs, airport lounges, and community events. Find your nearest center at USO.org/locations.
Ongoing
Stay Informed on Policy & Benefits
For changes to BAH, TRICARE, education benefits, and national policy, the Department of War uses centralized hubs. Subscribe once and stay current.
Military OneSource & MC&FP
The gold standard for national military life updates.
E-Newsletter Sign-up
Military OneSource Subscriptions
Select topics like "Spouse Education," "Deployment Support," or "Tax Tools."
MC&FP (Military Community & Family Policy)
Sets the policy for all branches. Track their latest releases at the MC&FP Newsroom.
Relief Societies
Financial and emergency aid — grants, interest-free loans, and scholarships. Sign up for their newsletters to catch deadlines.
Army
Army Emergency Relief (AER)Navy / Marines
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)Air Force / Space Force
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)Coast Guard
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
Who to Call When
"My spouse is deployed and I have a family emergency."
First: Open the Red Cross Hero Care App to initiate an emergency message to your service member's command. Then: contact your Ombudsman, Key Spouse, or FRG Leader — they can help coordinate on the command side.
"The base is on lockdown and I can't reach anyone."
Check your Alert!/AtHoc text messages first — that's the official channel. Then check your installation's Facebook page for real-time updates. Do not call the installation operator during active events unless it's a personal emergency.
"I need emergency financial help — now."
Contact your branch's relief society (AER, NMCRS, AFAS, or CGMA). They provide interest-free loans and grants, often within 24–48 hours. Your Family Service Center can also connect you.
"We just got PCS orders and I don't know where to start."
Start at your Family Service Center — they have relocation specialists on staff. Use the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS Search to find yours, and Branch7 for AI-powered guidance specific to your gaining installation.
Quick Reference
| When | What | How |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Find your liaison | Ask your sponsor or command |
| Day 1 | Alert! / AtHoc | CAC login at alert.csd.disa.mil |
| Day 1 | Red Cross Hero Care | Download the app now |
| Day 1 | Branch app (MyNavy Family, My Army Post, AF Connect, etc.) | Download free from your app store |
| This week | Family Service Center | Find yours here |
| Ongoing | Military OneSource | Sign up for eNewsletters |
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