Military Family Resource Hub
Find the apps, contacts, and resources you need β filtered by your branch and situation. One place, zero guesswork.
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Showing 49 resources
New to PCS? Start Here
The essentials every military family should set up first.
Command Ombudsman
π GuideThe Navy and Coast Guard's volunteer family liaison. Considered the gold standard for spouse volunteer support. Your first point of contact for command-level family questions.
Key Spouse Liaison
π GuideThe Air Force's designated spouse volunteer who serves as the communication link between families and squadron leadership.
Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leader
π GuideYour command or battalion's volunteer leader connecting Army families with resources, events, and support during PCS and deployments.
Family Readiness Officer (FRO)
π GuideA uniformed Marine chosen by the command to serve as the official family liaison for Marine Corps units.
Alert! Self-Service Portal
π WebsiteRegister for installation emergency alerts. Add up to 10 phone numbers and emails for family members. Requires CAC for initial login.
Red Cross Hero Care App
π² AppThe only organization that can send emergency messages to deployed service members. Download it now β don't wait until you need it.
All Resources
Enterprise Mass Notification System (eMNS)
π WebsiteMarine Corps notification system. Look for the white/purple globe icon in your system tray and select "Access My Profile" to register.
MyNavy Family 3.0
π² AppOfficial U.S. Navy app connecting spouses and families to family readiness resources, news, and support programs.
My Army Post
π² AppReplacing Digital Garrison β real-time installation updates including gate traffic, facility info, ID card scheduling, and work orders.
USAF Connect
π² AppOfficial Air Force app with information on childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and spouse employment for Air Force families.
MarineParents.com App
π² AppAccess to news, Marine administrative messages, and social media feeds for Marine families.
Military OneSource App
π² AppMobile access to tax prep, financial calculators, PCS planning tools, and the ability to connect with a consultant 24/7.
PCS My POV (Vehicle Shipping)
π² AppTrack your privately owned vehicle shipment during OCONUS PCS moves. Real-time status updates from pickup to delivery.
Fleet & Family Support Center
π WebsiteNavy's local hub for relocation assistance, counseling, financial planning, deployment support, and family workshops.
Army Community Service (ACS)
π WebsiteArmy's on-installation resource for relocation readiness, financial counseling, employment assistance, and family advocacy programs.
Airman & Family Readiness Center
π WebsiteAir Force and Space Force family support center providing relocation assistance, personal financial counseling, employment help, and transition support.
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS)
π WebsitePrograms including Marine & Family Programs, personal services, recreation, and retail for Marines and their families on every installation.
Coast Guard Work-Life Programs
π WebsiteHealth, Safety, and Work-Life programs for Coast Guard families including relocation assistance, personal financial management, and family advocacy.
MilitaryINSTALLATIONS Directory
π WebsiteSearch tool to locate your Family Service Center, housing office, medical facilities, schools, and more at any installation worldwide.
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
π WebsiteInterest-free loans, grants, and scholarships for Army Soldiers and families facing financial emergencies. Often within 24β48 hours.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
π WebsiteFinancial assistance and education for Sailors, Marines, and their families including emergency loans, grants, and budget counseling.
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
π WebsiteEmergency financial assistance, education grants, and community programs for Air Force and Space Force members and families.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
π WebsiteFinancial assistance including interest-free loans, grants, and education support for Coast Guard members and dependents.
Military OneSource Financial Counseling
π WebsiteFree personal financial counseling β budgeting for PCS, managing debt, saving for goals. Available in person, by phone, or online.
Plan My Move
βοΈ ChecklistCustom PCS checklist generator based on your move type (CONUS, OCONUS, unaccompanied). Timeline-based task list with resource links.
SGLI / Family SGLI
π WebsiteServicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Family coverage. Review and update beneficiaries after every PCS or life event.
TRICARE
π WebsiteMilitary health insurance for service members and families. After PCS, update your region and primary care manager within 30 days.
Military OneSource Counseling
π PhoneFree, confidential non-medical counseling (up to 12 sessions) for service members and families. No referral needed. Available 24/7.
Military & Veterans Crisis Line
π PhoneFree, confidential crisis support for service members, veterans, and their families. Call, text, or chat 24/7. You are not alone.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
π WebsiteMandatory enrollment for families with special medical or educational needs. Ensures your next duty station can support your family's requirements.
TRICARE Dental Program
π WebsiteDental coverage for active duty family members. Enroll or update coverage within 30 days of PCS.
Military OneSource
π WebsiteThe gold standard for military life information β tax help, spouse education, deployment support, PCS planning tools, and 24/7 phone support.
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
π WebsiteUp to $4,000 in financial assistance for military spouses pursuing education, licenses, or certifications in portable career fields. Check current availability as funding may be intermittent.
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
π WebsiteResources for school transitions during PCS β student transfer guides, school liaison contacts, and parent toolkits for every grade level.
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity (MIC3)
βοΈ ChecklistKnow your rights: the MIC3 compact ensures military children get consistent enrollment, placement, and graduation across all 50 states.
School Liaison Officers
π GuideEvery installation has a School Liaison Officer who helps military families navigate local school options, enrollment, and special education services.
Five and Thrive Resource Hub
π WebsiteComprehensive resource directory with filtering by branch, category, state, and military status. Curated guides and external resource links.
Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL)
π WebsiteFind civilian credentials related to your military occupation. Each branch has a COOL portal with funding and exam information.
PCSgrades
π WebsiteVerified peer reviews from military families on neighborhoods, schools, and installations. BAH calculator and military-friendly agent matching.
MilitaryByOwner
π WebsiteBuy, sell, or rent homes near military installations. Search by base proximity with a "Military Town Advisor" for community intel.
AHRN (Automated Housing Referral Network)
π WebsiteDoD-endorsed housing referral service connecting military families with rental and sale listings near any installation.
BAH Calculator
π WebsiteLook up your Basic Allowance for Housing rate by zip code, rank, and dependency status. Essential for budgeting your PCS move.
MilMove / DPS (Household Goods)
π WebsiteSchedule and manage your household goods shipment for PCS. Army uses the new MilMove system; other branches use DPS at move.mil. Submit claims for lost or damaged items.
USO (United Service Organizations)
π WebsiteLocal and regional centers with family programs, airport lounges, transition services, and community events nationwide.
Blue Star Families
π WebsitePeer community connecting military families with neighbors, resources, and programs including career development, caregiving support, and events.
National Military Family Association (NMFA)
π WebsiteAdvocacy, scholarships, Operation Purple camps for military kids, and spouse career resources. Sign up for their newsletter.
MC&FP Newsroom (Military Community & Family Policy)
π WebsiteSets policy for all branches. Track the latest releases on BAH, TRICARE, education benefits, and national policy changes.
Military OneSource eNewsletters
π WebsiteSubscribe to curated updates on topics like Spouse Education, Deployment Support, Tax Tools, and more. Select your interests.
Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN)
π WebsiteResearch-driven advocacy organization with a geo-based MilMap resource finder, PCS guides, and food insecurity support programs.
Who to Call When
βMy spouse is deployed and I have a family emergency.β
First: Open the Red Cross Hero Care App to initiate an emergency message to your service memberβs command. Then: contact your Ombudsman, Key Spouse, or FRG Leader β they can help coordinate on the command side.
βThe base is on lockdown and I canβt reach anyone.β
Check your Alert!/AtHoc text messages first β thatβs the official channel. Then check your installationβs Facebook page for real-time updates. Do not call the installation operator during active events unless itβs a personal emergency.
βI need emergency financial help β now.β
Contact your branchβs relief society (AER, NMCRS, AFAS, or CGMA). They provide interest-free loans and grants, often within 24β48 hours. Your Family Service Center can also connect you.
βWe just got PCS orders and I donβt know where to start.β
Start at your Family Service Center β 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 | Download branch app | MyNavy Family, My Army Post, USAF Connect, etc. |
| Day 1 | Red Cross Hero Care | Download the app now |
| This week | Family Service Center | MilitaryINSTALLATIONS search |
| This week | Update TRICARE | Change region + PCM within 30 days |
| Ongoing | Military OneSource | Sign up for eNewsletters |
| If needed | Financial emergency | Relief society (AER, NMCRS, AFAS, CGMA) |